April is IBS awareness month. In my opinion the most important thing to be aware of is that “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” (IBS) is a catch-all diagnosis, a clever way of saying “your bowels aren’t regular and we don’t know why.” IBS is a condition that tends to fall through the cracks of Western medicine.
Ideally, you want to have a bowel movement daily, that is well formed, and easy to pass. No pain or strain, and no big odors. That’s the “perfect poop” of Chinese Medicine!
Poops aren’t perfect? Here are Five Things you can do:
Large scars can come from any kind of trauma: accidents, injuries, surgeries, c-sections, etc. In Chinese Medicine, we recognize subtle energy channels, and large scars may affect how energy moves through the area. The c-section is especially problematic, as the incision typically cuts through multiple major meridians. Most people think the scars they have will never go away, but that doesn’t have to be true.
Besides using needles to stimulate acupuncture points, a lot of practitioners use Moxibustion as part of treatment. Moxibustion is the burning of the herb, Artemisia Vulgaris. Other names for this herb are: Chinese Mugwort, Ai Ye, or the simple nickname, Moxa. Moxibustion definitely has a distinct smell.
Chinese herbal medicine is widely used, and especially prized for its efficacy, safety, and very low risk of side effects. Chinese herbs can be of plant, animal, or mineral origin. Custom herbal formulas are prepared for each patient’s individual health needs. Chinese herbal medicine is often given along with acupuncture to enhance the effects of treatment.
