Can Accupuncture, Herbs and a Change in Diet Help with Crohn's?

My first exposure to Chinese medicine came when I tried acupuncture to treat my persistent migraine headaches, since nothing else seemed to be working. I admit I was a little skeptical at first, but my acupuncturist is also an M.D., who initially spent over a year in training for acupuncture and takes additional training each year. The acupuncture treatment was like a miracle for my migraines; I went from having two to three migraines a week to having perhaps one in three months. I continue to see him about every three months for a treatment, as a sort of "tune-up."

The last time I saw him, about two months ago, I was bloated from steroid treatment for Crohn's disease.. He looked at me, and then at my medical chart, and asked me how long I'd had Crohn's. I told him I was diagnosed in 1983, but had been mostly in remission after that initial flare until the last couple of years. He suggested that I forego the drugs for a while and try his treatment. Since he is an M.D., I was surprised, although given his obvious preference for alternative treatments, I shouldn't have been.

Naturally I asked what his Crohn's treatment would include. He told me that he would use acupuncture, some herbs, and a diet. I knew I'd probably have the hardest time sticking to any diet, but after what I'd been going through, I agreed to give it a try. He also explained that Crohn's can't be cured by traditional Chinese medicine, but its symptoms can be controlled at least as well as with western drugs, and with fewer side effects.

The acupuncture, of course, was in different areas of my body than it is for migraines. My doctor explained that with Crohn's, the liver and gallbladder play a major role, so the acupuncture was intended to open the qi or body energy pathways related to those two organs. The fact that my gallbladder was removed a few years ago hasn't changed the fact that the qi (or xi or chi) pathway is still generally blocked by the illness.

I honestly can't tell you the exact points that were treated with acupuncture and something called moxibustion, meaning burning an herb called mugwort over certain points; there are so many and I just can't remember them all. He treated all the points with acupuncture, and only a couple of them with the moxibustion (which I appreciated because I thought it smelled pretty bad, and was afraid it would set off the sprinkler system).

For Crohn's, he recommended a Chinese herbal formula called Xiang Sha Liu Wan, which I've had to find on-line because it isn't sold anywhere in my area, although one of the health food stores is considering stocking it. It comes as a capsule, which I swallow daily. He also suggested using slippery elm the way it's prescribed by Dr. Andrew Weil, who says to add a teaspoon of slippery elm powder to a teaspoon of sugar, mix them with 2 cups of boiling hot water, and add cinnamon for flavor if you want (see http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400137 ).

For a Crohn's diet, he told me the first thing I needed to do was to eliminate caffeine from my system. He told me that even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine, and had to go; he suggested that I replace it with at least a cup of green tea each day, and then stick to water. He advised against any dairy products but agreed that I could continue the yogurt I eat, because of the probiotic benefits for Crohn's. He also said to stop diet sodas and anything with artificial sweeteners - difficult for me because I love Diet Coke TM, but I've also realized that it contributes to my heartburn and I just can't continue it.

He asked me if I'd ever tried yoga or any sort of relaxation breathing techniques. While this isn't exactly traditional Chinese medicine, it is great at stress relief, and stress plays a role in Crohn's disease, as any who have it can verify. I do yoga regularly, and he advised me to continue it, and to practice the relaxation breathing several times a day.

Beyond that, he advised that when I am not suffering a flare, my diet should consist mainly of high fiber fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of low-fat protein, preferably fish. I should avoid sugars and fats. He advised adding a multi-vitamin with minerals, and an additional supplement of Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils, which my primary Crohn's physician had also advised. He also suggested periodic short fasts, although said that I should consult my other doctor about that, and be sure to take supplements when I do that.

He reiterated that traditional Chinese medicine can't cure Crohn's disease; at this writing, there is no cure for Crohn's. He said that should I develop a toxic colon, or an ulceration or large fistula, I would need to stop his regimen and let my gastroenterologist handle it, as that would be something he didn't feel he could treat.

I've genuinely felt much better since being treated with Chinese medicine. I find acupuncture relaxing, and although I went through about a week of serious caffeine withdrawal, I'm now doing fine without it. I miss chocolate, although I occasionally eat very small amounts (mostly because I'm fairly sure I'd binge on it if I thought I'd never have it again). Some of this may be the placebo effect, since Crohn's is in part psychological - that is, to the extent that stress makes it worse, and calm can ease the symptoms.

I don't know if it would work for everyone, and for some people, finding a good acupuncturist may be difficult. In many areas, insurance doesn't cover acupuncture, and it certainly doesn't cover herbs. But I do think it's worth a try, especially if you're really suffering from Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. I've only had one minor flare since beginning this treatment, and it's worth noting that it was probably stress induced. In the worst case, this treatment can't hurt you; in the best case, it can help you forget, at least much of the time, that you have Crohn's disease.