At a glance
Severe diarrhea every two hours, from more than forty years of IBS, back to normal bowel movements after two weeks of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Presentation
A 62-year-old patient had lived with severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for over forty years, usually with alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation. When she arrived at the clinic she was experiencing severe diarrhea, with a strong and sudden urge to pass a large quantity of watery stool every two hours.
Known among her friends as a social butterfly, she had stopped going to any social activities because she couldn’t be sure a washroom would be available every two hours. Abdominal cramping and bloating made going out difficult too.
Diagnosis
In TCM terms, the diarrhea was caused by severe Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency. Spleen deficiency shows up as the digestive system losing its ability to transform food into vital energy (Qi) and to separate clear fluids from waste, which is a major cause of diarrhea. Kidney Yang deficiency shows up as a deficiency of Mingmen (Life Gate) fire, which can no longer warm the lower burner, leading to chronic bowel leakage.
Treatment
Treatment combined acupuncture with two herbal formulas:
- Points on the abdomen: SP-15 (Daheng), ST-25 (Tianshu), RN-4 (Guanyuan) — SP-15 is on the Spleen meridian and can regulate bowel movements. ST-25 is the front-mu point of the Large Intestine and can also regulate bowel movements. RN-4 is the front-mu point of the Small Intestine and was chosen because her bowel problem started in the small intestine, which was sending too much water to the bowel rather than to the urinary system.
- Points on the leg: ST-36 (Zusanli), ST-37 (Shangjuxu), ST-39 (Xiajuxu) — ST-36 is the sea point of the Stomach meridian, ST-37 is the lower sea point of the Large Intestine, and ST-39 is the lower sea point of the Small Intestine. Together they strengthen the digestive system and the body’s control of water circulation and bowel movements.
Because her bowel problems started in the small intestine and not only the large intestine, RN-4 and ST-39 were added to regulate the small intestine alongside SP-15, ST-25 and ST-37 for the large intestine.
She took two herbal formulas together: one to tonify the Spleen (as concentrated granules) and one to tonify Kidney Yang (as capsules).
Result
After two weeks the diarrhea stopped and her bowel movements returned to normal. She was able to enjoy her social life again.
This reflects an individual patient experience, not clinical trial data.
Results vary from person to person depending on the condition, its severity, and how an individual responds to treatment. TCM and acupuncture are not a substitute for care from your physician or another regulated health professional. If you’re dealing with a serious or urgent symptom, please see a doctor first.