Alternative medicine and complementary therapy is becoming more and more popular among IBS sufferers in America. In fact, it is estimated that more than 40% of Americans who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders seek complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The reason is because IBS can often be hard to treat with prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Furthermore, many medications cause negative side effects that in some cases actually make the condition worse.



Alternative and complementary therapies are a holistic approach to treating IBS. These natural treatments typically involve proper diet management and stress reduction to help control, reduce and eliminate IBS symptoms.

You should know, however, that there is a slight difference between alternative medicines and complimentary therapy. Alternative medicine is taken instead of traditional medical treatments (drugs), whereas complementary therapy is when an IBS sufferer uses both alternative medicine and traditional medicine as treatment.

The following is a list of alternative medicines that are used as part of complimentary therapy:

Herbal therapy – The use of traditional Chinese medicines to treat IBS is a common alternative treatment. A combination of herbs may be used to treat IBS, or individual herbs may be prescribed to treat precise gastrointestinal symptoms. For instance, peppermint oil is used to reduce muscles spasms that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract which causes bloating and other uncomfortable symptoms. Other common herbs used include artichoke leaf extract and ginger.

Diet – IBS occurs in some people because one or more foods in their diet are aggravating the condition. A person can find out if certain foods in their diet are triggering attacks by keeping a food diary. For a few weeks a record is kept of everything they eat and the symptoms they experience after each meal. Eventually, an elimination diet can be created to help reduce symptoms. For instance, if an IBS suffer is prone to diarrhea, eliminating raw fruits and vegetables may help. On the contrary, someone who sufferers from constipation will benefit from a diet that is high in fiber.

In addition to an elimination diet, dietary supplements such as probiotics are helpful to some IBS sufferers. Probiotics can assist in regulating digestion and overall improvement of the immune system.

Hypnotherapy – Some people believe that IBS symptoms can be related to a person's psyche. Hypnosis has been known to be an effective treatment for IBS sufferers as it helps them to relax and focus on soothing sensations and imagery related to their personal symptoms. The result has often been an overall improvement of health and wellbeing as well as, the IBS symptoms constipation, bloating and abdominal pain.

Movement and meditation therapy – Yoga and tai chi are the recommended therapies for treating IBS. These activities reduce stress and help symptoms of bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Other forms of alternative medicines include acupuncture and homeopathy.

It is usually safe to try alternative treatments when on prescribed medication. However, you should speak to your healthcare professional about alternative medicines and complimentary therapy before you start trying different treatments. Your doctor will likely be able to provide you with useful information regarding alternative treatments, or refer you to a specialist.

Keep in mind, that there is no evidence that suggests alternative medicine is better than traditional medication. This is likely because each IBS sufferer responds to different methods of treatment. Therefore, each case of IBS must be considered unique. After all, although one person's IBS may be triggered by the food they eat, another's could be caused by the weather.