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Natural Crohn's Treatment – Can Acupuncture Relieve Crohn's Disease?
A study conducted in Germany examined dozens of mild to moderate Crohn's patients. The patients were divided into two groups – one group received acupuncture and the second group received sham acupuncture – that is, acupuncture at random points, which are not acupuncture points. The patients did not know which group they belonged to. The study examined changes in disease activity indices (CDAI- Crohn's disease activity index) after 10 treatments, and the patients were followed up for 12 weeks after the end of the treatments. Changes in quality of life and general sense of health were also examined, as well as the presence of markers indicating inflammation (a1- acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein).
Results:
In the acupuncture group, the CDAI decreased from 250 (±51) to 163 (±56), compared to the control group, where the CDAI decreased from 220 (±42) to 181 (±46). Both groups showed an improvement in overall health and quality of life, with the acupuncture group showing a greater improvement in overall health. The concentration of a1-acid glycoprotein decreased significantly only in the acupuncture group.
Study Conclusions:
Chinese medicine has medical benefits for patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease.
Study Abstract >
A 2014 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology examined the effects of acupuncture on 92 Crohn's patients. The patients were divided into two groups – a group that received "real" acupuncture and a group that received "sham" acupuncture – acupuncture at acupuncture points that are not real but are a centimeter or two away from the real points.
Study results:
After 12 weeks of treatment, 74% of patients in the real acupuncture group went into remission, compared to 36% in the sham group.
Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine, which can occur from the mouth to the anus.
Crohn's disease is manifested by diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood and mucus in the stool. The disease is caused by inflammation that affects the intestinal wall.
The cause of Crohn's disease is not clear, but it is currently assumed that the causes are genetic, immunological (as a result of the immune system's effect on the body) and environmental (breastfeeding as a protective factor against Crohn's, the hygiene theory that claims that people who maintain too high a level of hygiene are likely to get Crohn's, and more).
The disease may appear at any age, but usually appears around the ages of adolescence and up to the age of 30. Although there are not enough studies showing the connection between diet and the onset of Crohn's disease, it is known that diet affects the disease after its onset. It is recommended that patients diagnosed with Crohn's receive nutritional recommendations in order to understand which foods they should avoid.
Chinese medicine can alleviate the symptoms of the disease through nutritional recommendations, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. Crohn's treatment is tailored personally and individually to each patient according to the symptoms they suffer from, according to the Western diagnosis and according to the Chinese diagnosis made to them.
My personal experience shows an improvement in the condition of Crohn's and colitis patients with treatment with Chinese medicine. Treatment will usually include acupuncture, nutritional recommendations, and herbal medicine and is aimed at relieving the symptoms of the disease and inflammation.
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