The condition known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a painful and upsetting digestive issue. One that can even lead to depression. Many people use drugs for comfort and to feel better. But drugs are not a permanent fix. In fact, IBS medicines only cover up the symptoms and do not treat the cause.
Luckily, taking medicine is not the only way to deal with IBS symptoms. Chiropractic care has been shown to help people with IBS a lot. But how can chiropractic help IBS? It helps by fixing misaligned spines, improving nerve communication, and improving muscle function.
However, only outlining these processes can hardly give a complete picture of how amazing chiropractic care can be for IBS patients. So, in this article, we will look into the ways a chiropractor can treat IBS. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is IBS?
IBS is a common problem that affects the stomach and gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). When your body digests food and passes waste through your bowels, your intestines naturally contract. When you have IBS, though, these contractions are either too weak or too strong, or both! This messes up your digestive system.
Common Causes of IBS
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unclear. However, several factors are known to be involved, including:
- Muscle contractions in the intestine: These contractions, whether too strong or too weak, can cause symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Nervous system: Having gas or stools in your stomach can irritate the nerves in your digestive system and make them overreact to normal digestive processes. This can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Severe infection: If you have severe diarrhea from bacteria or viruses, or if your intestines get too many bacteria after an infection, you may develop IBS.
- Early life stress: People, especially children who are exposed to stress, may experience more IBS symptoms.
- Changes in gut microbes: Microbes in people with IBS might be different from microbes in people who do not have IBS, according to research. Changes in gut bacteria, fungi, and viruses are some examples. All of these are good for your health.
- Misaligned spine: A misaligned spine is another thing that people who have digestion problems have in common. Spinal misalignments, or subluxations, can happen to anyone. They can mess up your whole body’s functions and cause a lot of health problems, like IBS.
What Are the Symptoms of IBS?
The abovementioned causes of IBS can manifest a lot of different symptoms that last a long time. These symptoms may be similar to those of other digestive problems, like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the most common are:
- Discomfort, gas, or cramping in the belly that is associated with bowel movement
- Changes in how bowel movement appears
- Varying frequency of bowel movements
A feeling of incomplete evacuation and more gas or mucus in the stool is also often linked to symptoms.
Who Is Affected by IBS?
IBS symptoms are more common in women than in men, but men can develop them as well. Besides, the likelihood of having the syndrome increases in the following scenarios:
- IBS is more likely to affect young people, especially those under the age of 50.
- Females who have taken estrogen therapy before or after menopause are at risk for IBS as well.
- Those with a family history of IBS have a higher chance of developing this syndrome. Possible contributors include genes, environmental factors that run in families, or both.
There may be a correlation between a history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse and IBS. Anxiety, depression, or any number of other mental health issues could also be to blame.
How Can Chiropractic Help IBS: 4 Ways
Chiropractic care, regardless of the cause of IBS, can help with digestion and reduce discomfort. Here are the ways chiropractors can address and treat your IBS symptoms:
Address the Root Cause
Finding permanent relief from your health problems is very unlikely if you are unaware of their origins. The same goes for IBS. In fact, an issue with how the brain and GI tract communicate is the main culprit behind IBS. This can be caused by back problems, especially those affecting the lumbar spine—which provides support to the digestive system.
The good thing is that you can get to the bottom of your IBS symptoms by seeing a chiropractor to fix spinal misalignments. After the fix, your body will start operating as it should. This will not only help your IBS but also make you feel and perform regular tasks better.
Promote Proper Nerve Communication
Chiropractic care is mostly about the brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is in charge of how the body works as a whole. Hence, all sorts of nerve interference can lead to dysfunction and mayhem. IBS can develop from this sort of malfunction.
Chiropractors try to keep nerves from getting messed up so that the brain can communicate with all the other systems properly. Chiropractic adjustments can help your spine move more freely and bring more blood to the organs in your digestive system. This facilitates communication between the brain and the digestive system, aiding digestion and waste removal.
Improves Muscle Function
When you go to the chiropractor, they do not just straighten out your spine. They make sure your muscles stay healthy as well. The diaphragm is one such muscle. It separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is significant for digestion. A diaphragm that is not in the proper position can cause shoulder pain and bloating.
Chiropractors can help the diaphragm work better and reduce bloating by adjusting the phrenic nerve. This nerve controls the diaphragm directly.
Is Medication a Good Alternative to Chiropractic Care for IBS?
People with IBS often try taking medicine right away to feel better, as their symptoms are so painful. However, medicine is just a stopgap measure. Discontinuing medication often results in a worsening of symptoms. Besides, medications often have undesirable or even dangerous side effects.
On the other hand, chiropractic care is a natural, safe, and effective way to get relief that might not have any side effects. Regular chiropractic care can help your IBS symptoms go away for a long time.
Conclusion
IBS mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, digestive contractions become irregular in IBS. The causes of this condition are unknown. However, they include muscle contractions, nervous system issues, severe infections, early life stress, and changes in gut microbes.
Symptoms of IBS vary but commonly include abdominal discomfort, altered bowel movements, and incomplete evacuation. Women and young people under 50 are more likely to have these symptoms.
Among the remedies for IBS, chiropractic care stands out. It is a natural alternative to drugs that might have side effects. However, you will need a really good team of chiropractors to see the best results with IBS. If you are in Minnesota, The Brost Clinic can help you with this. Our ethical and expert practice has earned us many awards and a strong reputation as the best in the business over the years. Contact us today to alleviate your painful IBS symptoms.