Acupuncture for IBS Relief: Restoring Your Gut Through Mind–Body Balance

Deanna Carell
Dec 4, 2025
3 min read

Patient receiving acupuncture for IBS and digestive health support at Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can feel frustrating, unpredictable and often life-interrupting. Symptoms like abdominal pain, urgency, bloating and irregular bowel movements can take a toll not only on digestion, but on emotional wellbeing and quality of life. At Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture, we help patients reclaim comfort, confidence and digestive balance through the time-honored principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and evidence-based acupuncture.

What Research Tells Us About Acupuncture for IBS

Two independent studies from Chongqing Nanchuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital found that acupuncture is a highly effective treatment option for IBS. Researchers noted significant improvements in digestion, absorption, and bowel regulation — with or without herbal support.

Key findings include:

Acupuncture alone achieved a 92% total effective rate, outperforming pharmaceutical therapy combined with herbs.
Si Shen Wan (Four Miracle Pill) — a classical TCM formula used to warm the Kidneys and Spleen, stop diarrhea and stabilize the intestines — showed even greater results when paired with acupuncture.
Improvements included:
- Reduced abdominal pain
- Fewer episodes of urgency and frequent bowel movements
- Better stool consistency and shape
- Decreased bloating and gas
- Improved control in cases of fecal incontinence

Researchers also observed enhanced vitality, reduced bodily pain, improved emotional health and better social functioning. This reflects what TCM has long understood — the gut and mind are deeply connected.

How TCM Understands IBS: Treating the Root, Not Just the Symptoms

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, IBS often involves patterns such as:

Spleen Qi Deficiency (fatigue, loose stools, bloating after meals)
Liver Qi Stagnation (stress-triggered symptoms, alternating constipation/diarrhea, rib-side tightness)
Dampness in the intestines (mucous stools, heaviness, bloating)
Kidney Yang Deficiency (dawn diarrhea, cold hands/feet, chronic fatigue)

Acupuncture restores harmony by:

Strengthening Spleen Qi to support digestion
Smoothing Liver Qi to relieve stress-related flares
Regulating intestinal peristalsis
Reducing inflammation
Improving circulation to the digestive organs
Calming the nervous system, which plays a major role in IBS symptoms

When appropriate, we combine acupuncture with classic formulas like Si Shen Wan, Tong Xie Yao Fang, Bao He Wan, or individualized herbal prescriptions tailored to your constitution.

Lifestyle + Dietary Guidance to Support Treatment

At Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture, we take a truly holistic approach to IBS. During your visit, we may also discuss:

TCM-informed dietary suggestions

Warm, cooked foods instead of raw or cold
Ginger, cinnamon, white rice congee, sweet potatoes, bone broth
Avoiding dairy, alcohol, greasy foods and excessive iced drinks
Peppermint or ginger tea to ease spasms
Probiotic-rich foods (if tolerated): kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi

Stress-regulation techniques

Since stress is a major trigger, we often incorporate breathwork, acupressure techniques, and mindfulness practices to calm the nervous system.

Supplement guidance

Omega-3s, L-glutamine, probiotics, magnesium, and digestive enzymes may be discussed based on your pattern.

IBS is incredibly individual, and your care plan should match your body’s unique needs — not a one-size-fits-all prescription.

You Don’t Have to Navigate IBS Alone

You deserve a practitioner who listens, understands the nuance of your symptoms, and treats you as a whole person — not just a diagnosis. Together, we create an integrative and collaborative plan that honors both modern research and TCM wisdom.