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The effectiveness of Chinese acupuncture in Crohn's and ulcerative colitis - a review of studies
In recent years, complementary medicine has become increasingly popular. Complementary medicine treatments are available in all health insurance plans and in most hospitals. Many Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients choose to receive complementary medicine treatment in addition to conventional drug treatment.
A study conducted in Norway and published in 2012 found that 49% of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients in Norway were treated with complementary medicine in the past year in addition to conventional medical treatment (1). The data is similar in other countries in the Western world.
The goal of complementary medicine treatment for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients is to:
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Relieve symptoms that still exist despite medication (such as diarrhea and abdominal pain).
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Reduce inflammation.
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Relieve irritable bowel symptoms that exist in some Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients (abdominal pain and discomfort, loose stools, gas and bloating).
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Reduce anxiety, stress and maintain calm.
It is important to note that the treatment does not replace medical treatment, but rather accompanies it.
Acupuncture has existed for thousands of years. 2200 years ago, the fundamentals of Chinese medicine were first compiled into a book that included diagnostic techniques and treatment methods. The treatment is performed by inserting thin, sterile needles into various places in the body at a relatively superficial depth.
M., 30 years old, a Crohn's patient for 18 years, says: "Acupuncture eliminated the stomach pains I was suffering from. The stomach pains disappeared as if they were never there."
In a study published in the journal Digestion that examined the effectiveness of acupuncture in Crohn's disease, patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease were examined (2). The patients were divided into two groups – a group that received acupuncture treatments, and a group that received sham acupuncture (acupuncture at random points that are not acupuncture points). After the treatments were completed, the patients' condition was monitored for an additional twelve weeks.
The study examined the effect of Chinese acupuncture on:
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Disease activity (CDAI = Crohn’s disease activity index.
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Changes in quality of life and general sense of health.
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Inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein and a1 – acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid).
The results of the study showed the effectiveness of the "real" Chinese acupuncture treatments over the sham acupuncture group.
In the Chinese acupuncture group, the CDAI (disease activity) decreased from 250 (±51) to 163 (±56) compared to the sham acupuncture group where the CDAI index decreased from 220 (±42) to 181 (±46), with a CDAI less than 150 defined as remission.
The improvement in CDAI scores in the acupuncture group continued throughout the twelve weeks of follow-up.
Both groups showed an improvement in overall health and quality of life, with the acupuncture group seeing greater improvement in overall health.
The concentration of the inflammatory marker – a1 – acid glycoprotein decreased significantly only in the acupuncture group. It is also important to note that acupuncture had no side effects.
Another study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 2006 examined the effectiveness of acupuncture on patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (3).
The study recruited 29 patients who were asked not to change their medications for at least 4 weeks before the start of the study. The patients were divided into an acupuncture group and a sham acupuncture group (superficial acupuncture at points other than acupuncture points), and received 10 acupuncture treatments over 5 weeks. Follow-up was conducted for an additional 16 weeks.
The level of colitis activity (according to the CAI questionnaire), quality of life (according to the IBDQ questionnaire), general well-being, and inflammation indices (CRP, 1-acid glycoproteinα) were examined.
Results: In the real acupuncture group, there was a significant improvement in the colitis activity index (CAI) that remained throughout the 16 weeks of follow-up. Quality of life and general sense of health improved significantly in both groups (real and sham acupuncture).
In this study, there were no side effects following Chinese acupuncture.
In conclusion, more high-quality studies need to be conducted on the effectiveness of Chinese acupuncture for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, but from the existing studies it can be seen that Chinese medicine treatments are effective in inflammatory bowel diseases.
1. Opheim R, Bernklev T, Fagermoen MS, Cvancarova M, Moum B. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results of a cross-sectional study in Norway. cand J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;47(12):1436-47
2. Joos S, Brinkhaus B, Maluche C, Maupai N, Kohnen R, Kraehmer N, Hahn EG, Schuppan D, Digestion. 2004;69(3):131-9. Epub 2004 Apr 26. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of active Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled study.
3. Stefanie Joos, Nicole wildau, Ralf Kohnen, Joachim Szecsenyi, Detlef Schuppan, Stefan N. Willich, Eckhart G. Hahn, Benno Brinkhaus. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled study. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology’ 2006; 41: 1056-1063
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