Disclaimer: The information contained in this ebook 7 Natural Steps to IBS Health is for general guidance only. All information provided as is with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, health and fitness for a particular purpose. Before taking on any exercise or treatment it is recommended that you seek professional diagnosis and consultation from a TCM practitioner or medical practitioner. If you feel any pain or discomfort or if your pain increases after exercise cease activity immediately. The information in this guide is not meant to replace a professional opinion and treatment strategy. In no event will Great West Natural Therapies, be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on information in this guide or for an consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
7 Natural Steps to IBS Health What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. IBS is classified as a functional disorder which means that symptoms aren t caused by a physical or metabolic abnormality. This makes diagnosis frustrating and often involves ruling out other possibilities first. Because the intestinal tract plays a key part in nutrient absorption, if there is a problem in this area the function of the entire body and overall health is at risk.
3 Symptoms of IBS The key symptom of IBS is abdominal pain or discomfort. Other symptoms include: Constipation Flatulence Headaches Nausea Vomiting Anxiety Loss of appetite Depression Bloating Painless diarrhoea Pain relief after a bowel movement Frequent and looser stools as pain starts Feelings of incomplete rectal evacuation Mucus emerging with the stool Presence of symptoms about 25% of the time Painful bowel movements 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
4 Causes:???? IBS can be caused by a variety of interrelated diet and lifestyle factors. Some major triggers are: Imbalanced gut flora the flora in our guts plays a very important role in our health so when we take antibiotics, particularly repeatedly, it can wipe out that bacteria. When the good bacteria that helps with digestion becomes imbalanced, digestion and immunity are compromised.
5 GI Infection some people tend to develop IBS after an episode of food poisoning or other intestinal parasites. Food intolerances food sensitivities or intolerances are a major contributor to IBS. Common triggers include sugar, chocolate, wheat, dairy, gluten, citrus fruits, and coffee. Hormonal imbalance If you are a female, IBS tends to flare up just before a period. It s not yet clear why this is so but it s possible that when the ratio between estrogen and progesterone are off during a cycle, sluggish bowels can worsen cramping and congestion. Stress anxiety and stress affect the body in a variety of ways. In IBS sufferers, there will be a decrease in digestion. It is recommended that you keep a symptom diary where you document your symptoms, stool frequency and consistency and factors that may be contributing to IBS e.g. stress, food, tiredness. This will give your health professional a better understanding of your situation and assist them in determining the best treatment option. 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
6 IBS and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) While western medicine focuses on the small and large intestines, Chinese medicine considers the liver, kidneys and spleen as also playing a role. An organ in TCM is much more than an anatomical structure, it is also viewed as a set of systemic units that function together. This may include the five elements, flow of Qi (energy) and blood, Yin Yang, meridian complex and Zang-Fu organ pairing. TCM considers a holistic approach to diagnose categories and develop treatment. A practitioner may
diagnose that there is a Spleen Qi Deficiency or Liver Qi Statis but in most cases this does not mean there is damage to the physical organ. For example; Spleen Qi Deficiency - symptoms include diarrhoea or loose stools, abdominal bloating and discomfort, fatigue, tendency to worry and poor appetite. The pulse is weak and the tongue is pale and may have teeth marks on the side. Liver Qi Statis - symptoms include constipation (frequently with small stools), abdominal pain and bloating, a high level of stress. The pulse is wiry and the tongue usually is normal to dusky in colour with distended sublingual veins. 7 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
8 Treatment: There is no quick fix for IBS. To relieve symptoms and balance your body in the long term all seven treatments should be considered. 1. Alkaline Diet If you are taking a range of supplement vitamins and minerals consider changing to an alkaline diet. An Alkaline diet is designed to provide everything you need in it s best natural form. The goal is to balance your body s ph level to between 7.35 and 7.45. The consumption of high acid food such as grains, fish, meat, cheese, milk and salt can disrupt how acidic or alkaline your blood is, making your ph level fluctuate.
9 2. Chinese Acupuncture to align the qi Chinese medicine works to align the qi which is the body s natural energy flow, when a disease or illness is present the energy flow is disrupted. Acupuncture to specific points releases the energy and redirects its flow removing the stagnant energy. It is a very individualised approach and as the underlying mechanism moves and changes the treatment will be adjusted accordingly. For IBS, your practitioner will use specific points to treat the category they have diagnosed. For example; if there is a Liver Qi Statis they may treat it 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
10 with points such as Liver 3 (Tai Chong) and Large Intestine 4 (He Gu). Acupuncture is also recognised as being an effective therapy for treating the symptoms of IBS such as stress, insomnia, anxiety and PMS. For optimum results, persistence and regular sessions are advised with a qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner. To help your body stay at the normal level you don t have to eliminate acidic foods altogether but shift the balance from the typically acidic diet to a more alkaline diet. Focus on adding more fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and legumes to your diet and reducing your intake of protein, grains, sugar caffeine and alcohol. 3. Avoiding toxins in your diet A toxin is something that is capable of causing disease or damaging tissue when it enters the body. It may be perfectly fine in small dosages
11 but if we eat a particular toxin in excessive quantities the symptoms of IBS may become worse. To encourage a healthy colon and relieve symptoms of IBS avoid: - alcohol - caffeine - white sugar - carbonated beverages - artificial sweeteners Grains, legumes, seed oils and diary are inflammatory for most people. Try eliminating each for a a month as an experiment and if you don t see any improvement add it back in. Make sure you note this in your symptom diary. It is also advised that you eat organic whenever possible, eat smaller more frequent meals and drink plenty of water. Some medications can wreck havoc on your general intestinal health. If possible, stop taking over the counter antibiotics and painkillers to treat symptoms. 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
12 4. Chinese herbs Herbs have been used for generations to calm the symptoms of IBS. Groups of herbs are combined together to specifically address a person s unique constitution. Common herbs for IBS include: Slippery elm bark - good for both diarrhoea and constipation, as it softens and adds smooth bulk to the stool as well as calming irritation. Ginger - acts as an anti-spasmodic and improves the tone of intestinal muscle. It also has mild anti-inflammatory action. Swedish bitters - may help to stimulate your body s digestive juices and aid the start of the digestion process. Enteric coated peppermint - help treat bloating, gas and diarrhoea. Enteric coated means the active ingredients get delivered straight to the colon increasing effectiveness.
13 Fennel seed - has anti-spasmodic properties which is beneficial for bloating and gas. Remember to seek advice from a qualified practitioner (http://gwnt.com.au/contact) for best results and to ensure the herb is right for 5. Reducing Stress Stress can be a major trigger of IBS and one of the hardest to remove. If you can t eliminate stress completely make a plan for dealing with it productively. Common stress relieving activities include: - yoga - meditation - tai chi - having a regular massage - spend time in nature A simple technique that may relieve discomfort and stress: massage the lower abdomen in clockwise circles (if there is constipation) or counterclockwise circles (if there is diarrhoea) while focusing on sending Qi (energy) to that part of the body. 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
14 6. Regular Exercise Understandably when you are experiencing stomach discomfort the last thing you feel like doing is exercising. But exercise is critically important for the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system. Exercising for 20-30 minutes 3-5 days a week is advised, and if you don t already exercise simply going for a moderately paced walk every day for 30 minutes is beneficial. 7. Adequate Sleep A lack of sleep has a detrimental affect on your mental and physical health, leading to increased stress. While the amount of sleep considered adequate varies from person to person 7-8 hours is a guide. If you are not getting adequate sleep try these tips: - Go to bed and wake up at a consistent time. - Move away from stimulus e.g. TV, computer, phone 30 minutes before you intend to go to sleep.
15 - Avoid food and drinks 4 hours before bed time. - Assess your sleep environment - is your room temperature comfortable, does it have ventilation, how much light is there? - Regularly exercise and practice stress relieving activities. Although IBS doesn t cause lasting damage it can be uncomfortable and stressful. We encourage you to implement these 7 natural steps to help relieve symptoms improve your quality of life. For more information on IBS or to make an appointment with a qualified practitioner contact Greater West Natural Therapies on 02 9670 3800. 1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800 PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA
7 Natural Steps to IBS Health St Clair (02) 9670 3800 St Marys (02) 9673 1355 Penrith (02) 4722 2141 Glenmore Park Rehab Centre (02) 4733 0668 Address Shop 21 St Clair Shopping Centre Bennett Rd, St Clair, 2759 Address 52B King St St Marys NSW 2760 (Formally King St Physio) Address 60 Derby St Kingswood NSW 2748 Address Glenmore Park Rehab Centre 114 The Lakes Drive Glenmore Park, NSW, 2745 Greater West Natural Therapies Parramatta Address 470 Church Street North Parramatta, NSW, 2151 Greater West Natural Therapies Wetherill Park Address 4 Price Street Wetherill Park, NSW, 2164 Greater West Physiotherapy Hydrotherapy Centre Address 70 Derby St Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia