Crohn’s disease can’t yet be cured, it can be managed successfully and can remain in remission for long periods of time. Conventional medicine treats it with a variety of drugs, nutritional supplements and, when necessary, surgery. My personal preference is to first send patients with Crohn’s disease to practitioners of modern Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture and herbal remedies in addition to dietary adjustment and, possibly, massage and energy work. I have seen some very good results from this approach. Ayurvedic medicine, radical dietary change, and long-term fasting (under supervision) can also be helpful. A low fat, high fiber diet may also provide a benefit, but during the active stages of the illness, raw fruits and vegetables and seeds and nuts will irritate the digestive system.

Acupuncture is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease in China, and is being used more frequently in Western society. However, there is little evidence that acupuncture has benefits beyond the placebo effect, improving quality of life, general well-being and a small decrease in blood-bound inflammatory markers.

Crohn’s disease is a more serious form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that usually develops in the lowest parts of the small and large intestines but can also occur elsewhere in the digestive tract. Symptoms include loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, cramping, pain in the abdomen, and weight loss. Stress can worsen symptoms but doesn’t cause the disease.

Although we don’t know all the factors that lead to the development of Crohn’s disease, a recently discovered gene may point the way to new treatments and even to a way to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. The gene is linked to a cellular receptor for interleukin-23 (IL-23), a protein involved in immunity and the inflammatory process. New anti-inflammatory drugs in the pipeline may work for Crohn’s disease and for other forms of IBD as well, such as ulcerative colitis.

Before do acupuncture, Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, proper hydration and smoking cessation. Fatigue can be helped with regular exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep. To manage symptoms have a balanced diet with proper portion control. A food diary may help with identifying foods that trigger symptoms. Some patients should follow a low dietary fiber diet to control symptoms especially if fiberous foods cause symptoms.Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.