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    gastroenterology

    Irritable bowel syndrome (adjunctive care)

    Also known as: irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, spastic colon

    IBS is a functional gut disorder causing recurrent abdominal pain with altered bowel habit, diagnosed after excluding coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and other causes. Management is dietary (including low-FODMAP trialled with a dietitian), psychological and symptomatic; Chinese medicine and acupuncture can support symptom management alongside that care.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Trial a low-FODMAP diet only with dietitian guidance and reintroduction — long-term restriction harms the microbiome.
    • •Eat regularly; limit caffeine, alcohol and very fatty meals.
    • •Soluble fibre (e.g. psyllium) helps both diarrhoea and constipation-dominant types.
    • •Regular exercise and stress management have trial evidence in IBS.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion — coeliac disease, IBD and colorectal cancer must be considered before pattern treatment.[,]
    • •Do not modify or stop prescribed medication without the prescriber.[]
    • •SP6 is contraindicated in pregnancy; avoid strong lower-abdominal needling in pregnancy.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Track pain (0–10), stool form (Bristol scale), urgency episodes and trigger foods every 4 weeks. Confirm coeliac serology and calprotectin are done. Any red-flag feature triggers referral.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Irritable bowel syndrome — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. IBS — investigation and management in general practice
      Australian Family Physician (RACGP) · 2022
    3. Acupuncture for IBS — systematic review and meta-analysis
      PubMed (Frontiers in Pharmacology) · 2022
    4. Monash University Low FODMAP Diet
      Monash University · 2024
    5. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.