Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Breeze Academy
18 August 2023
Crohn’s Disease is a life-long bowel condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. Typically, symptoms of Crohn’s Disease include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fatigue, weight loss and blood in the stool. Milder cases are commonly treated with medications to control inflammation, whereas more severe cases may require surgery. But, what if there was a drug-free, non-invasive treatment?
So, is Acupuncture good for Crohn’s Disease? Evidence suggests that Acupuncture may be effective in helping to treat the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, but does not offer a cure. Additionally, researchers find Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication.
Read on to learn more about Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease with Breeze Academy.
Acupuncture is not a cure for Crohn’s Disease. Rather, it is considered as a complementary approach that works well alongside other interventions to manage symptoms.
It is thought that Acupuncture may help to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with Crohn’s Disease, alongside improving the intestinal microbiota and inflammation in patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
A review from 2019 stated that Acupuncture may increase the likelihood of symptom remission for Crohn’s Disease patients. However, researchers concluded that this is in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication. Used together, Acupuncture and medication is more effective than medication alone. Other studies tend to agree, taking the stance that Acupuncture offers additional benefits to traditional treatment. One study in particular found that Acupuncture offers more long-term benefits than other treatments used in the control group.
For pain relief, it is thought that Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system which releases pain relieving endorphins and other beneficial hormones. It also helps to improve blood circulation which more effectively delivers essential oxygen and nutrients.
Additionally, Acupuncture is thought to help reduce inflammation. This is of key importance as Crohn’s Disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. Researchers from Harvard University believe that Acupuncture works to reduce inflammation by triggering an anti-inflammatory response via a signalling pathway in a specific subset of neurons.
Aside from pain relief and reducing inflammation, there are a number of other benefits of Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease.
A number of studies into Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease reported a reduction in symptoms such as weight loss and diarrhoea. This resulted in an increased quality of life.
People with bowel diseases such as Crohn’s are 20-30% more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression than those who do not. Mental health issues like depression or anxiety can worsen the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, however, there is evidence to suggest that Acupuncture may be effective against mental health issues, or at least more effective than using traditional medication alone.
Acupuncture points for Crohn’s Disease will vary from person to person depending on their specific ailments. However, the below points are a good starting point; prescriptions can be amended from here to suit individual patients.
There are no known risks associated with Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease specifically. However, there are some rare side effects and contraindications to be aware of before proceeding.
Side effects are typically rare and mild in nature. They include pain, bruising or bleeding at the needle site and feeling faint or dizzy after treatment. They are generally not cause for concern and are usually self-correcting.
Contraindications for Acupuncture are more serious. Both patients and practitioners should be aware of the following conditions before going ahead with treatment. This is not to say that people with such conditions cannot have Acupuncture, but they must consult their GP before proceeding.
Contraindications include:
Learn more about the risks and contraindications associated with Acupuncture in our dedicated blog, Is Acupuncture Safe?
Evidence suggests that Acupuncture is effective in reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, particularly when used in conjunction with other treatments. It is thought to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with the disease as well as reduce inflammation. Evidence suggests Acupuncture may also improve the intestinal microbiota and aid mental health issues such as depression and anxiety – both of which are common in those with Crohn’s Disease .
If you’re a healthcare professional interested in offering Acupuncture for individuals suffering with Crohn’s Disease, take a look at our Acupuncture courses online today.
Our foundation-level Acupuncture courses are available throughout the UK, giving you all the knowledge you need to safely and effectively practise Acupuncture. There are also a number of more advanced CPD Acupuncture courses available to take your skills to the next level.