TCM Treatment for Crohn's Disease
Acupuncture for Crohn's disease
1. Acupuncture is also beneficial for people suffering from Crohn’s disease. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy treatment that involves inserting needles in the specific points in the body. The goal of the treatment is to unblock energy flow around the body in channels called meridians. This energy, known as qi, is an active principle forming part of any living thing. It is often translated and described as life force or life energy.
2. Herbal and nutritional supplements for Crohn’s disease
People suffering from Crohn’s disease can significantly improve their condition by supplementing their nutrition with vitamins and minerals. However, before starting to use any of the herbal or nutritional supplements, patients are advised to talk with their medical care provider and ensure none of the prescribed medications causes side-effects in combination with supplements. One of the best supplements for people with Crohn’s disease are Omega-3 fatty acids. This compound is found in oily fishes such as herring, salmon, bluefish, lake trout, and mackerel. This nutrient is also available in form of supplements.
Boswellia is a commonly used herbal supplement derived from gummy resin of the Boswellian serrata tree, native to India. This herb eases the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases and controls the inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease. Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple stems, is also beneficial as well as the slippery elm, cat’s claw, and marshmallow.
Treatment for Crohn's Disease in Western medicine
There is no cure for Crohn's disease in Western medicine. The goals for treatment are:
to reduce inflammation
to relieve symptoms of pain, diarrhea, and bleeding
to eliminate nutritional deficiencies
Treatment might involve drugs, nutritional supplements, surgery, or a combination of these therapies. Treatment choices depend upon where the disease is located and how severe it is. They also depend on the complications associated with the disease and the way the person has responded in the past to treatment when symptoms recurred.