Have you ever been out for dinner and needed to continuously excuse yourself as your insides were on fire, feeling as if you were ready to combust at the seams as you made a run for the closest bathroom? Or maybe you experience feeling ill almost immediately after eating, and often need to lie down for a while before continuing about your day. Irritable bowel syndrome may sound very familiar to you. If it does, there are options to try to help reduce the symptoms by using alternative therapy.
Weak digestive systems don’t belong to weak people. They belong to those strong individuals who are just plain exhausted from their digestive systems wreaking havoc on them. You aren’t alone, many others suffer from this every day.
So, what kind of alternative therapies can help those that suffer from weak digestive systems?
Symptoms
Firstly, here are some symptoms that occur with IBS, or similar digestive problems. Remember the Pepto-Bismol song:
“Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea!”
So do we, and just about everyone else.
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
These symptoms are incredibly debilitating. But there are ways to help reduce them through holistic healing and alternative therapy.
Alternative Therapies
Here is a list of alternative therapies that can help digestive problems, before we delve deep into each of them:
- Acupuncture
- Nutrition
- Massage
- Yoga
- Herbal medicine
- Aromatherapy
All the above are worth checking out if you are suffering from nearly unbearable symptoms.
But, what and how do they help?
Acupuncture
As acupuncture becomes increasingly popular worldwide, it’s no wonder people are turning to it to treat a wide range of disorders. Research has proven that acupuncture does help to relieve bloating, stress, cramping, and pain associated with digestive disorders. Acupuncture is the practice of using sterilized thin needles in meridian points located on the body to help target certain areas that are causing discomfort.
Acupuncture helps to correct imbalances by stimulating the nervous system to help promote healing. By targeting the meridian points associated with digestive disorders, it can help the stomach overall function and speed up metabolism as well as regulate intestinal movement.
Nutrition
Nutrition should be a starting point for anyone suffering from digestive disorders. Food has been used to heal since the beginning of time and still applies but that means clean eating. There are multiple anti-inflammatory food lists online that can help guide you to healing the body and reducing the discomfort and pain that comes with digestive disorders. It may even be worth seeking out a nutritionist to help you.
It’s worth knowing what foods to stay away from, too, even if it’s just for a while to see how you feel, and after discussing with your doctors. Foods to avoid could potentially include processed foods such as chips, and cookies, as well as caffeine and dairy products.
Keep in mind a healthy diet should always be the first step, and you should work hard to maintain it to keep receiving the benefits that eating clean will offer.
Yoga
Yoga is another alternative therapy for helping cope with digestive disorders. While working out in pain may not sound enticing, a gentle yoga session might be just what you need. It can help relieve gas and bloating, as well as reduce stress levels and release feel-good hormones that can relieve tension and promote healing.
Some poses that could help are:
- The cobra
- Bow pose
- Downward facing dog
- Half seated spinal twist
- Gate pose
If you need a de-stressing activity that can help relieve painful bloating or cramping, try a gentle yoga workout.
Aromatherapy
An essential oil can help reduce the stress that goes along with digestive disorders. Some oils can even reduce inflammation and reduce anxiety. Some that may help are:
- Peppermint oil
- Lavender
- Frankincense
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Oregano
- Rosemary
Massage
A gentle abdominal massage may benefit someone that’s having cramps, constipation, and discomfort. A massage can help heal and promote relaxation and help to eliminate stress. Massage therapists use their hands and fingertips and gently work the surrounding muscles to help move things along, to put it politely.
Bottom Line
If you are against using OTC drugs to help cope with your digestive disorder, there are plenty of alternative therapies that can safely help reduce the pain, discomfort, and stress that goes with it. Whether you choose yoga, nutrition, acupuncture, aromatherapy, or massage, each has stress-reducing benefits that can help you in the long run.
