ing, but not limited to warranties of performance, · 2. chinese acupuncture to align the qi...

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 with-out warranty of any kind, express or implied, includ-ing, but not limited to warranties of performance, health and fitness for a particular purpose.

Before taking on any exercise or treatment it is rec-ommended that you seek professional diagnosis and consultation from a TCM practitioner or medi-cal 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 treat-ment strategy.

In no event will Great West Natural Therapies, be liable for any decision made or action taken in reli-ance on information in this guide or for an conse-quential, special or similar damages, even if ad-vised of the possibility of such damages.

1 NUMBER 5 LOCATIONS CALL TODAY: 02 9670 3800PENRITH, ST MARYS, GLNEMORE PARK, WETHERILL PARK, PARRAMATTA

7 Natural Stepsto IBS HealthWhat 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 frus-trating and often involves ruling out other possibili-ties first.

Because the intestinal tract plays a key part in nutri-ent absorption, if there is a problem in this area the function of the entire body and overall health is at risk.

Symptoms of IBS

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The key symptom of IBS is abdominal pain or discom-fort.

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


Causes:

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.

IBS can be caused by a variety of interrelated diet and lifestyle factors. Some major triggers are:

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Food intolerances – food sensitivities or intoler-ances are a major contributor to IBS. Common triggers include sugar, chocolate, wheat, dairy, gluten, citrus fruits, and coffee.

Stress – anxiety and stress affect the body in a va-riety of ways. In IBS sufferers, there will be a de-crease in digestion.

GI Infection – some people tend to develop IBS after an episode of food poisoning or other intes-tinal parasites.

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.

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 under-standing of your situation and assist them in deter-mining the best treatment option.


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IBS and Traditional ChineseMedicine (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 ele-ments, flow of Qi (energy) and blood, Yin Yang, me-ridian complex and “Zang-Fu” organ pairing. TCM considers a holistic approach to diagnose cat-egories and develop treatment. A practitioner may

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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 exam-ple;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 (fre-quently 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.


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Treatment:

1. Alkaline DietIf you are taking a range of supplement vitamins and minerals consider changing to an alkaline diet. An Alkaline diet is designed to provide ev-erything you need in it’s best natural form.

The goal is to balance your body’s pH level to be-tween 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.

There is no quick fix for IBS. To relieve symptoms and balance your body in the long term all seven treat-ments should be considered.


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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 stag-nant energy. It is a very individualised approach and as the underlying mechanism moves and changes the treatment will be adjusted accord-ingly.

For IBS, your practitioner will use specific points to treat the category they have diagnosed. For ex-ample; if there is a Liver Qi Statis they may treat it

3. Avoiding toxins in your dietA 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

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with points such as Liver 3 (Tai Chong) and Large Intestine 4 (He Gu).

Acupuncture is also recognised as being an ef-fective therapy for treating the symptoms of IBS such as stress, insomnia, anxiety and PMS.

For optimum results, persistence and regular ses-sions are advised with a qualified Chinese Medi-cine 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 alco-hol.


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but if we eat a particular toxin in excessive quan-tities the symptoms of IBS may become worse.

To encourage a healthy colon and relieve symp-toms of IBS avoid:- alcohol- caffeine- white sugar- carbonated beverages- artificial sweeteners

Grains, legumes, seed oils and diary are inflam-matory 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.

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4. Chinese herbsHerbs have been used for generations to calm the symptoms of IBS. Groups of herbs are com-bined 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 an-ti-inflammatory action.

Swedish bitters - may help to stimulate your body’s digestive juices and aid the start of the di-gestion process.

Enteric coated peppermint - help treat bloating, gas and diarrhoea. Enteric coated means the active ingredients get delivered straight to the colon increasing effectiveness.


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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 StressStress 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 pro-ductively.

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 clock-wise circles (if there is constipation) or counter-clockwise circles (if there is diarrhoea) while fo-cusing on sending Qi (energy) to that part of the body.

7. Adequate SleepA lack of sleep has a detrimental affect on your mental and physical health, leading to increased stress. While the amount of sleep considered ade-quate 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.

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6. Regular ExerciseUnderstandably when you are experiencing stomach discomfort the last thing you feel like doing is exercising. But exercise is critically import-ant for the proper functioning of the gastrointesti-nal system.

Exercising for 20-30 minutes 3-5 days a week is ad-vised, and if you don’t already exercise simply going for a moderately paced walk every day for 30 minutes is beneficial.

- Avoid food and drinks 4 hours before bed time.- Assess your sleep environment - is your room temperature comfortable, does it have ventila-tion, how much light is there?- Regularly exercise and practice stress reliev-ing 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 appoint-ment with a qualified practitioner contact Greater

West Natural Therapies on 02 9670 3800.


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St Clair(02) 9670 3800

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Penrith (02) 4722 2141

Address60 Derby StKingswood NSW 2748

Greater West Natural Therapies Parramatta

Address470 Church StreetNorth Parramatta, NSW, 2151

Greater West Natural Therapies Wetherill Park

Address4 Price StreetWetherill Park, NSW, 2164

Greater West PhysiotherapyHydrotherapy Centre

Address70 Derby StKingswood, New South Wales,Australia

Glenmore Park Rehab Centre(02) 4733 0668

AddressGlenmore Park Rehab Centre114 The Lakes DriveGlenmore Park, NSW, 2745

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Address52B King St St Marys NSW 2760(Formally King St Physio)

7 Natural Stepsto IBS Health

ing, but not limited to warranties of performance, · 2. chinese acupuncture to align the qi...

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