Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn's Disease
Acupuncture for Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn's in North Vancouver
Living with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease can mean abdominal pain, urgent trips to the bathroom, fatigue and worry about the next flare. AcuLife Wellness offers acupuncture as complementary support, alongside care from your gastroenterologist.
Overview
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine and rectum; Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, often the end of the small intestine. Both tend to come in flares, with diarrhea (sometimes with blood), abdominal pain, urgency, fatigue and weight loss, separated by calmer periods.
IBD needs ongoing medical care: medication, regular monitoring and sometimes surgery are what control the inflammation. At AcuLife Wellness, we start by learning about your diagnosis, medications and how IBD affects your daily life before recommending an approach.
Common Symptoms & Experiences
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood or mucus
- Urgency or frequent trips to the bathroom
- Fatigue and poor appetite
- Stress or anxiety about flares
How Acupuncture May Be Used
Acupuncture for IBD usually uses points on the abdomen, legs and arms chosen for your pattern, and moxibustion may be used where suitable. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these conditions are often understood in terms of weak spleen qi and damp-heat in the intestines, so care looks at digestion, energy, stress and sleep together.
Some studies suggest acupuncture and moxibustion may ease symptoms for some people with mild to moderate IBD, but the evidence is limited. Acupuncture is complementary care: it doesn't control the inflammation the way medication does and doesn't replace your gastroenterologist's treatment. Chinese herbal medicine is only considered after a careful review of your medications.
AcuLife's Approach
Hong Ji, R.TCM.P., is a registered TCM practitioner in both Canada and China with 35 years of clinical experience. She takes a whole-body view, so your plan considers your digestion, energy, sleep and stress, and adapts around flares.
Learn more about Hong JiWhat to Expect
Your first visit includes a conversation about your diagnosis, symptoms, medications, recent tests and what flares look like for you, followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. How often you come in is discussed and adjusted as care progresses.
For other digestive concerns, see our digestive health page.
When to Seek Medical Care
Contact your gastroenterologist or physician for a flare that isn't settling, blood in your stool, diarrhea more than six times a day, weight loss or fever. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, a swollen or hard belly, heavy bleeding, vomiting, dizziness or signs of dehydration. Don't stop or change IBD medication without talking to your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for IBD Support in North Vancouver?
Book an appointment with AcuLife Wellness.