Acupuncture for IBD - a complementary therapy option

Many people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are looking for other ways to alleviate their symptoms in addition to medication. According to studies, around half of those affected use Complementary medical procedures - often out of a desire to address the complaints more comprehensively or to improve the quality of life.

The current S3 guidelines also recommend the supplementary use of methods such as mindfulness-based approaches, yoga, psyllium husks, curcumin - or acupuncture - under certain conditions. In this article, we take a look at the role of acupuncture in IBD and explain how it works, how treatment works and what to look out for. Important: Complementary methods should always be used in close consultation with the doctor treating you.

Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used there for several millennia. In Western countries, it has increasingly found its way into medical care in recent decades - particularly for pain and functional complaints.

Acupuncture involves the targeted insertion of fine needles at defined points on the skin, known as acupuncture points. These points are located along energy pathways known as meridians. The aim is to stimulate the body's own regulatory processes through the needles - without administering any active ingredients.

According to TCM, vital energy ("qi") flows through the body along meridians, each of which is assigned to a specific organ. If the energy flow is disturbed - e.g. due to stress, illness or overwork - this can lead to complaints. Acupuncture attempts to restore balance by specifically stimulating certain points.

Needles made of steel, silver or gold are used. The stimuli can be further intensified by rotating, lifting, lowering or warming the needles. The aim is to regulate the affected functional circuits - in other words, to positively influence both physical and psychological symptoms.

In the S3 guideline on IBD, acupuncture is recommended as a possible adjunctive therapy under certain conditions - particularly in mild to moderate cases. Studies show that for many sufferers

• Relieve pain,
  
• reduce the thrust activity,
  
• strengthen mental well-being and
  
• can contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of life.
  

Acupuncture is by no means a substitute for conventional medical treatment, but can usefully complement it - especially for functional complaints such as abdominal pain or sleep disorders. However, it is important to note that individual coordination within the therapy team is essential in order to avoid interactions and to coordinate the overall treatment concept.

At the beginning, there is a detailed discussion about the individual symptoms. On this basis, the practitioner selects a combination of suitable acupuncture points - which can be adjusted as the treatment progresses.

For the treatment itself, patients usually lie in a quiet room. Depending on the diagnosis, between eight and 18 needles are inserted into the skin. The insertion usually takes a few minutes and the needles remain in the body for around 20 minutes afterwards.

The penetration depth varies between a few millimetres and up to three centimetres, depending on the point. A slight feeling of pressure or heaviness may be felt at the points - this is an indication of correct stimulation. However, severe pain should not occur.

As a rule, a treatment series comprises around 10-12 sessions over a period of five to seven weeks. Depending on the progress and response to the treatment, a decision can be made on whether to continue.

Acupuncture can be a useful addition to the conventional medical treatment of IBD - in particular to alleviate functional symptoms and improve general well-being. Studies have shown positive effects in certain patient groups, which is why the S3 guideline also lists acupuncture as a possible complementary measure.

It remains important: Complementary procedures such as acupuncture should always be supervised by a doctor and should not be seen as a substitute for anti-inflammatory therapy. Anyone who is open to new approaches can benefit from an integrative treatment approach - provided it is professionally coordinated and implemented responsibly.

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