Acupuncture in treating Crohn's disease: Benefits, efficacy, and additional information
A study published recently has shown that acupuncture and moxibustion treatments, administered three times a week for three weeks, can significantly reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease and improve quality of life scores. The findings suggest that these traditional Chinese medicine practices may provide some symptom relief and quality of life improvement for individuals with Crohn's disease.
The study, which involved 60 participants, found that after 12 weeks of treatment, 74% of those in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were in remission of their symptoms, while only 36% of the patients in the control group were in remission.
Acupuncture works by targeting digestive regulation, inflammation, and stress pathways. Research shows that it can regulate gastrointestinal motility and reduce visceral hypersensitivity, which may help alleviate abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements common in digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's.
Acupuncture also appears to modulate the neuroendocrine system by balancing cortisol and serotonin levels, which may reduce stress-related digestive symptoms and improve mood and overall wellbeing. Immune modulation through acupuncture, by promoting anti-inflammatory responses and reducing low-grade inflammation, could be particularly relevant for Crohn's, a disease involving chronic intestinal inflammation.
Although evidence is stronger and more directly studied for related conditions such as ulcerative colitis (another form of IBD), where randomized controlled trials of acupuncture show promise in symptom relief and improved patient-reported outcomes, similar rigorous trials specifically for Crohn's are still sparse.
However, reviews and clinical experience suggest that acupuncture can support nutrient absorption and general gut health, which are often compromised in Crohn's disease. A 2019 review of animal studies found that acupuncture helped reduce diarrhea, weight loss, and signs of inflammation in the blood, which can be indicators of Crohn's disease.
Acupuncture practitioners identify specific points on a person's body that act as "channels" or energy pathways to certain organs. Some practitioners also perform electroacupuncture, which involves inserting two needles and using a mild electric current to stimulate the body's response. A 2017 study found that electroacupuncture affected the homeostatic processing network in the brain, which regulates pain, specifically visceral pain including stomach pain, in people with Crohn's disease.
It's important to note that while acupuncture offers a potentially beneficial complementary approach to managing Crohn's disease symptoms, current research for Crohn's specifically remains insufficient to definitively confirm effectiveness or establish clinical guidelines. Patients should use acupuncture as part of a broader management plan under medical supervision.
If a person with Crohn's disease is interested in acupuncture to help their symptoms, they should speak with their doctor about adding this as a treatment. To find a certified acupuncturist, a person can search for one through the National Council and Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
In conclusion, while the evidence for the benefits of acupuncture in people with Crohn's disease is not yet conclusive, the practice shows promise as a complementary health approach that may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. More research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and establish clinical guidelines.
- The recent study proved that acupuncture and moxibustion treatments could significantly reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease and improve the quality of life scores, suggesting they may offer some symptom relief and quality of life improvement for individuals with Crohn's disease.
- After 12 weeks of treatment, 74% of those in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were in remission of their symptoms, while only 36% of the patients in the control group were in remission, as per the study involving 60 participants.
- Acupuncture works by targeting digestive regulation, inflammation, and stress pathways, perhaps providing relief for the abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements common in digestive disorders, including chronic diseases like Crohn's.
- Although more comprehensive and rigorous trials specifically related to Crohn's are still lacking, reviews and clinical experience suggest that acupuncture could support nutrient absorption and general gut health, which are often compromised in Crohn's disease.
- Patients with Crohn's disease who are interested in acupuncture to help manage their symptoms should consult with their doctors about adding this as a treatment and search for a certified acupuncturist through the National Council and Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
