Diet and Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

One million Americans suffer from Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. They experience frequent diarrhea with pain and urgency, intestinal bleeding and bloody stools, cramping, and abdominal pain. Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been used to treat these symptoms for over two thousand years.

About Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine views the body as a network of interconnected organs and channels. The channels transport qi (often translated as energy) and other substances through the body. When the qi is sufficient and moves freely, there is health and wellness. Diseases occur when there is an imbalance in the body. The acupuncture and diet correct the specific imbalance and help the body heal.

To pinpoint the specific imbalance causing the disease, the acupuncturist feels the pulse, looks at the tongue, and asks about other symptoms such as presence of pain, blood, and the number of bowel movements. For Crohn’s and colitis, qi vacuity and stagnation, dampness, and heat are the most common causes. Qi is most often described as a the body’s energy or life force.

Each patient receives an individualized acupuncture prescription depending on their particular symptoms. The goals of the treatment vary if the patient is in an exacerbation or remission. Often, they include to stop pain, diarrhea, and bleeding as well as to reduce inflammation and promote appetite. Moxibustion, the burning of an herb close to the skin to warm specific acupuncture points, may be used to augment the acupuncture. Generally, a treatment course consists of five to ten acupuncture treatments once or twice a week.

Modern Research

The modern research suggests that traditional acupuncture can be a safe and effective complement to standard care for Crohn’s disease. One study shows acupuncture treatment can raise quality of life, improve disease state and general well being (1). In addition, intestinal enzymes decreased in the active acupuncture group.

Dietary Recommendations

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, diet is very important for the maintenance of Crohn’s and colitis. The key to the TCM diet is balance and variety which includes easily digested carbohydrates, moderate amount of protein, and cooked vegetables. For those with Crohn’s and colitis, it is important not to irritate the intestines by eating food which is hard to digest, such as raw vegetables, nuts, and hot spices. This does not mean cutting vegetables out, but rather cook them in stir fries, steamed dishes, soups and stews. In addition, harder cooked meats, such as steak, should be reduced during remission and avoided during exacerbation. Try eating stews and thinly sliced stir fried meats.

The use of white rice is very beneficial to a patient with IBD. It is extremely digestible and will help improve the digestion. Brown rice can be eaten, but it must be cooked thoroughly with a lot of water. Well cooked oatmeal in plenty of water is an ideal breakfast for an individual with IBD. Excessively hot spicy food can irritate the intestinal lining and exacerbate “heat” condition, so it should also be avoided. Your acupuncturist can help you choose foods individualized for your condition.

1. Joos, S., Brinkhaus, B., Maluche, C., Maupai, N., Kohnen, R., Kraehmer, N., et.al. (2004). Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Active Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study. Digestion, 69, 131-139.