Acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can range from inconvenient to debilitating. For me, it became so unpredictable and disruptive that I was often confined to bed. IBS doesn’t just affect digestion. It also affects mental health, sleep, and confidence in social situations.

Acupuncture offers a drug-free, side-effect-free approach to easing symptoms, breaking the negative feedback loop, and helping you feel more at peace in your body again.

Acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can range from inconvenient to debilitating. For me, it became so unpredictable and disruptive that I was often confined to bed. IBS doesn’t just affect digestion. It also affects mental health, sleep, and confidence in social situations.

Some of the Common IBS Symptoms

Every person’s experience of IBS is unique, but some of the more frequent symptoms we see in clinic include:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Bloating and gas
  • Diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between the two
  • Urgency to go to the loo after meals
  • Tiredness and disrupted sleep
  • Mental health complaints such as anxiety

Often, there are additional complaints that come from medications such as omeprazole for acid reflux and more.

How Acupuncture Can Help with IBS

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, IBS is often linked to what we call 'Wood overcontrolling the Earth'. This means that the Liver is overacting, and the Spleen is deficient, which causes disharmony in digestion.

Therefore, acupuncture can have wide-ranging benefits for both body and mind, all without the unwanted side effects that medications often cause.

Physically, acupuncture may help to:

  • Support healthy digestion by calming the gut–brain axis and regulating bowel movements
  • Reduce abdominal pain and bloating by encouraging relaxation and easing muscle spasms

Mentally, acupuncture may help to:

  • Balance stress hormones, which are closely linked to IBS flare-ups
  • Promote a sense of relief and freedom from pain, rather than just coping with it

Modern research supports acupuncture’s ability to help. This is because it can modulate gut motility, regulate the gut–brain axis, and reduce visceral hypersensitivity, which are all important with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

I had acupuncture with Josh twice and I can highly recommend him. He is a master of his craft and so very knowledgeable. He is a pleasure to spend time with and will not only alleviate your symptoms but also feed your soul.

—  Rosie

What to Expect

Your first session is about much more than needles. It includes:

  • A detailed case history, exploring your symptoms, triggers, and diet
  • A thorough consultation, where you’ll have the time and space to share your whole story without feeling rushed
  • A gentle, highly personalised treatment plan designed to restore balance and reduce the impact of IBS
  • Lifestyle and self-care recommendations tailored to your needs

Why Choose Josh to Support Your IBS Journey:

  • Josh got into acupuncture through irritable bowel syndrome, so it's one of his favourite treatments because of its origin story. 
  • Josh is an experienced acupuncturist who knows different styles of acupuncture. This means he can effectively tailor every treatment to you.
  • Josh is passionate about digestive and mental health, which are often incredibly linked. 
  • This is a calm and welcoming environment where no treatments are ever rushed, and you get the space and time to tell your story.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many sessions will I need?

    Each person is unique. Most patients feel immediate improvements, then more long-standing benefits from 3–6 sessions, with deeper results building over time.

  • Can acupuncture help with both constipation and diarrhoea?

    Yes! Acupuncture helps regulate gut function, bringing the digestive system back into balance. Hence, whether your symptoms are constipation, diarrhoea, or a mix of both, we have you covered.

  • Is it safe?

    Absolutely. Acupuncture is a gentle, drug-free treatment with minimal side effects, if performed by a qualified acupuncturist like Josh. Most patients really like the natural approach and find that they become less reliant on drugs to manage the symptoms, which has a dramatic impact on the body, too.