Take Control of IBS: Natural and Truly Effective Relief
Living with IBS often means waking up already bracing yourself for what your stomach might do next. You may sit through a meeting while fighting off cramping that seems to tighten out of nowhere, or spend a night out pretending everything feels normal while your gut feels anything but calm. On the outside you look fine, but inside you are managing discomfort, planning escape routes, and hoping your body gives you a moment of peace.
Many people describe the daily grind of IBS as something others rarely see. The bloating that makes you change your outfit at the last minute. The sudden urgency that forces you to leave a conversation unfinished. The way you decline plans not because you do not want to go, but because you cannot predict how your gut will behave. It can be lonely to carry all of that while trying to keep life moving as if nothing is wrong.
IBS is common, and research shows it affects millions of people each year.1 Yet it rarely feels common when you are the one navigating symptoms that interrupt plans, drain your energy, and create a constant sense of worry. Studies also show that anxiety often goes hand in hand with IBS,2 which makes sense when your body keeps you guessing from one moment to the next. Even mild stress can make symptoms feel louder and harder to manage.3
If you feel worn down by this cycle, you are not imagining it. Many people who come to our Tualatin clinic describe the same mix of frustration and hope. They want steadier digestion. They want less fear around food. They want to feel like their body is on their side again. Most of all, they want a path forward that feels supportive and realistic.
At Nyberg Acupuncture and Wellness, we understand how draining IBS can be, both physically and emotionally. Our goal is to help you move toward days that feel calmer and more predictable by supporting the systems in your body that influence stress, sensitivity, and digestive rhythms. Your symptoms are real, your experience matters, and relief is possible with the right approach.
When IBS Feels Like It Is Running Your Life
When you live with IBS, your body can feel unpredictable in ways that others never see. You might start your day with cramping before you even leave the house, or sit through a meeting while quietly managing discomfort that comes out of nowhere. Some days the bloating feels overwhelming. Other days you are racing to the bathroom without warning. It is exhausting to carry this kind of uncertainty day after day.
What often makes IBS hardest is the constant planning it forces into your life. You may check bathroom locations before going somewhere new, hesitate to commit to plans, or avoid certain foods because you do not trust how your gut will respond. Over time, this creates a mental load that can leave you feeling isolated and worn down.
IBS affects millions of people each year,1 yet it rarely feels “common” when you are the one managing symptoms while trying to keep life moving. Anxiety is also common among people with IBS,2 and many describe a cycle of feeling stressed about symptoms, then noticing symptoms worsen when stress rises. The Mayo Clinic notes that stress can heighten digestive sensitivity, which helps explain why symptoms often intensify on difficult days.3 These patterns show up often across the health concerns we support in our clinic, including the conditions we treat, though IBS is one of the most unpredictable.
Because IBS symptoms are invisible, you may hear suggestions that oversimplify what you are going through. People may tell you to relax or change your diet, not realizing how many strategies you have already tried. None of this means your symptoms are imagined. IBS involves real changes in how the gut and brain communicate,1 and that communication can become highly sensitive.
These experiences may sound familiar. Many people who come to our Tualatin clinic describe the same frustration and fatigue. They want steadier digestion, fewer interruptions, and relief that feels natural and sustainable. Most of all, they want their days to feel predictable again.
You deserve care that takes your full experience into account, not just the symptoms that appear on paper. Understanding the nature of IBS is the first step toward finding support that truly helps you reclaim a sense of control.
What IBS Really Is and Why It Is So Hard to Live With
It can be confusing when your digestion feels unpredictable from one day to the next. Some mornings start with cramping and urgency. Other days leave you feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and slowed down. You may try tracking foods or routines, only to have your symptoms change again. This inconsistency is one of the most frustrating parts of living with IBS.
Even though IBS feels unpredictable, it has a clear medical definition. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that IBS involves ongoing abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, but without visible damage or disease on tests.4 Many patients find this reassuring because it validates something they already know. The symptoms are very real, even when imaging and labs come back “normal.”
IBS is considered a disorder of gut brain interaction, meaning the nerves and communication pathways between the brain and digestive system can become unusually sensitive or reactive.1 This sensitivity helps explain why symptoms may appear quickly, feel intense, or flare during times of stress.
The symptoms that interrupt daily life
IBS shows up in different ways, but many people experience a mix of:
- Persistent bloating
- Gas and abdominal pressure
- Cramping that comes and goes
- Urgent diarrhea
- Constipation or incomplete evacuation
- Alternating diarrhea and constipation
These are well established symptoms described by NIDDK and Cleveland Clinic.4,5 They are also symptoms that can affect how you eat, work, socialize, and move through your day. Even when IBS is not dangerous to your health, it can be profoundly disruptive to your quality of life.
Why IBS happens
There is no single cause of IBS, but research points to several contributing factors. NIDDK notes that IBS may involve changes in gut motility, increased sensitivity of the intestines, imbalances in the gut microbiome, and difficulty regulating digestion under stress.6
The connection between stress and IBS is especially significant. The Mayo Clinic explains that stress can affect how the intestines contract and how sensitive they feel.3 For someone already living with IBS, even mild stress can make symptoms feel louder. This does not mean IBS is “in your head.” It means your digestive system responds strongly to signals from your nervous system.
Why IBS feels so personal
IBS affects daily life in ways that others may not recognize. You may hesitate to travel, worry about eating away from home, or stay close to bathrooms just in case. NIDDK acknowledges that IBS can significantly impact quality of life because of its discomfort, unpredictability, and emotional strain.4 If you are starting to look for support or want a place to talk through what you have been dealing with, you can always reach out to our clinic to explore your options.
When you understand IBS as a condition involving sensitive communication between your gut and brain, it becomes easier to see why the symptoms feel so consuming. This experience is real and deserves care that reflects both the physical and emotional challenges that come with it.
Why Standard IBS Treatments Do Not Always Bring Relief
If you have tried multiple medications for IBS and still feel stuck, the problem is not you. Many people follow the recommended steps and still never feel consistently better. This does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It reflects the nature of IBS itself.
Most standard treatments focus on one symptom at a time. Antidiarrheal medications help with urgency, laxatives with constipation, and antispasmodics with cramping. These tools can be useful in the right moment, but IBS rarely shows up in just one way. Symptoms shift, overlap, and reappear without warning. That makes it hard for single-focus treatments to provide steady relief.
IBS also involves more than the digestive tract. The American College of Gastroenterology classifies it as a disorder of gut brain interaction, meaning the gut’s nerves and muscles can become unusually sensitive and reactive.1 Medications that target only motility or stool consistency cannot always address this deeper sensitivity.
NIDDK notes that many people try several therapies before finding one that helps, and even then the improvement may be partial.7 Some respond well to medication. Others notice only small changes. Many find that one symptom improves, while another stays just as disruptive. This variation is common because IBS is not driven by a single cause.
Another challenge is that IBS subtypes respond differently to treatment. Medications for constipation are different from those used for diarrhea, but symptoms often shift back and forth. This leads many people into a cycle of switching strategies without ever feeling truly in control.
Stress adds another layer. When stress rises, symptoms often feel sharper or more frequent. And when symptoms worsen, stress tends to climb in response. NIDDK acknowledges that this cycle makes IBS more difficult to manage over time.6 Since most standard treatments do not address the nervous system’s role in IBS, many patients still feel overwhelmed even with medical care.
Some people also wonder whether their symptoms overlap with conditions like Crohn’s disease. Even though IBS and Crohn’s affect the digestive system in different ways, both can have a significant impact on daily life. If you are looking for information on Crohn’s specifically, read our blog on acupuncture and Crohn’s disease.
None of this means conventional treatments are unhelpful. They simply may not be enough on their own. IBS involves the gut, the brain, the nervous system, and the microbiome, so it often requires an approach that looks beyond individual symptoms. If you feel like you have tried everything and are still frustrated, it does not mean you have failed. It means IBS needs support that accounts for the full picture.
Natural and Holistic IBS Relief: How Acupuncture Helps You Feel Better
By the time many people consider acupuncture for IBS, they have already tried multiple medications, diet changes, supplements, or lifestyle shifts. Some strategies help a little. Others make no noticeable difference. What most people want is steadier, calmer digestion and a way to feel more at ease in their own body. This is where acupuncture can play an important role.
Acupuncture has been studied extensively for IBS, and the research is growing stronger each year. Several high quality trials now show that acupuncture can ease symptoms, support the gut brain connection, and improve day-to-day comfort in meaningful ways.
What recent research shows
One of the most important studies is the ACTION Trial, a large multicenter randomized controlled trial published in 2025. Researchers found that people who received acupuncture had greater improvement in overall IBS symptoms compared with those who received sham treatment.8 Improvements included better stool patterns, reduced abdominal pain, and fewer disruptions in daily life.
Another study focused on people with refractory IBS, meaning they had not responded well to other treatments. In this randomized controlled trial, acupuncture led to significantly better symptom relief than the control group.9 For patients who felt stuck or discouraged, this finding is meaningful. It suggests that acupuncture may provide a different path when standard approaches have not helped enough.
Earlier evidence also supports acupuncture’s role in managing IBS. A 2022 randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open found that acupuncture helped improve symptoms in people with diarrhea predominant IBS.10 A 2025 meta-analysis that combined data from more than two thousand participants concluded that acupuncture improved global IBS symptoms and quality of life.11
How acupuncture supports the gut brain connection
IBS is not only a digestive issue. It involves the entire gut brain communication network. This is why symptoms often flare during stress, and why the digestive tract can feel overly reactive or sensitive.
Several recent studies shed light on how acupuncture influences this system. Research shows that acupuncture can help regulate the nervous system, reduce digestive hypersensitivity, and ease the stress response that often intensifies IBS symptoms.12 Other studies suggest that acupuncture may influence the microbiota gut brain axis, which is the communication pathway between the nervous system and the gut’s microbial community.13 While this research is still emerging, it helps explain why many patients describe digestive benefits that feel both physical and emotional.
Why this matters for daily life
For many people, IBS is more than discomfort. It affects meals, routines, energy, confidence, and the ability to stay present in everyday moments. Acupuncture offers a natural way to support the systems that influence these experiences.
Many patients notice a sense of calm during and after treatment. Others describe feeling less reactive to stress or noticing fewer sudden digestive flare-ups. Some feel that their bloating becomes less intense or less frequent. Others sleep better or feel more grounded from day to day. Everyone’s experience is different, but these shifts matter because they help you live with greater ease.
The research reflects what many patients report. Acupuncture does not replace medical care, but it adds support in places where medications alone may fall short. It works with the body rather than against it. And it supports not only the digestive tract but also the nervous system that influences how digestion feels and functions.
Acupuncture is not a quick fix. It is a steady, supportive approach that helps create space for your body to reset and find a more comfortable rhythm. Over time, this can translate into fewer interruptions, less fear around symptoms, and more of the calm you have been craving.
Taking Relief Further With Personalized, Integrative Care
Acupuncture is the foundation of how we support people with IBS, and for many patients it becomes the first steadying influence they have felt in a long time. From there, we often take the plan a step further. When it is clinically indicated, Dr. Savage may integrate supportive therapies such as ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy® into your treatment plan.
ATP Resonance BioTherapy® uses gentle, low-level electrical currents that work with your body rather than against it. These currents support cellular energy and help tissues function more effectively, which can be helpful when your system has been under strain for a long time. O3 ReBoot Therapy® delivers a blend of ozone and oxygen that supports immune function, tissue healing, and overall wellness. Both therapies are non-invasive and designed to give your body additional support as it works to restore balance.
The strength of this approach comes from how these therapies work together. Many patients benefit from the synergy of acupuncture, electroacupuncture when appropriate, ATP Resonance BioTherapy®, and O3 ReBoot Therapy®. Each one supports the body in a different way, and together they offer a more complete path toward steadier digestion and greater day-to-day comfort.
Every IBS story is different, and your care should reflect that. Dr. Savage builds each plan with intention based on your consultation, your symptoms, and your health history, so your treatment supports what you are experiencing and what your body needs most.
Your IBS Relief Starts Here in Tualatin
If you have read this far, you are likely tired of trying to manage IBS on your own. You may have adjusted your diet, tried medications, experimented with supplements, and still feel like your digestion controls too much of your life. It is understandable to feel worn out, cautious about new options, and unsure where to turn next.
You deserve care that takes your full story seriously. At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, Dr. Jeffrey Savage, LAc, DACM, takes the time to understand how IBS is affecting your days, routines, and overall well-being. From there, he builds a plan that supports both your digestive system and the nervous system that influences how your gut feels.
For many patients, that plan begins with acupuncture to help calm the gut-brain connection and ease the sensitivity that makes IBS so disruptive. When it is appropriate, Dr. Savage may also integrate supportive therapies such as ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy® into your care. Together, these therapies can offer a steadier, more complete path forward.
If you live in Tualatin, the greater Portland area, or nearby communities and feel ready for a different kind of support, scheduling a consultation is a simple next step. During your visit, you can talk openly about what you have tried, what has and has not helped, and what you hope life could feel like with fewer IBS interruptions. Together, you and Dr. Savage will explore whether you are a good candidate for acupuncture and our integrated approach.
IBS may be part of your story right now, but it does not have to decide how your days unfold. Relief is possible, and support is available. To get started, call us at +1 (503) 336-4747.
Frequently Asked Questions About IBS Relief and Acupuncture
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Yes. High-quality research shows that acupuncture can meaningfully reduce abdominal pain, improve stool patterns, and ease digestive hypersensitivity for many people with IBS.
A major multicenter randomized controlled trial published in Gastroenterology found that patients receiving acupuncture had greater overall symptom improvement than those receiving sham treatment.⁸
Research shows that acupuncture can offer meaningful improvement even when medications have not helped enough, including in patients with refractory IBS and in those with symptom patterns that are difficult to treat.⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹
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Many patients begin noticing early shifts, such as less cramping, less urgency, or a calmer gut, as their treatment plan progresses. These changes vary widely from person to person.
Improvements usually build gradually, because IBS involves both the digestive system and the nervous system. Most clinical studies evaluate acupuncture over 4 to 8 weeks, and many show meaningful symptom improvement within that timeframe.⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹
As care continues, the treatments build on each other. Each session helps introduce more stability and function to the body, which supports steady, week-by-week progress for many patients.
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Yes. Stress and anxiety can heighten digestive sensitivity, which can make symptoms feel stronger or more frequent.
The Mayo Clinic reports that stress can affect how the intestines contract and how sensitive they feel.³
Studies also show a strong association between IBS and anxiety disorders.²
This is one reason that approaches supporting the gut brain connection, including acupuncture, are often helpful.
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Acupuncture has been shown to help with common IBS symptoms, including:
Abdominal pain and cramping
Bloating and gas
Diarrhea or urgency
Constipation
Stress-related symptom spikes
Studies show overall improvements in global IBS symptoms and in quality of life.¹⁰ ¹¹
Many patients also describe feeling calmer and more regulated, which supports more stable digestion.
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Yes. Acupuncture is generally safe to use alongside standard IBS treatments, including antispasmodics, antidiarrheals, laxatives, and other prescribed therapies. There are no known drug interactions with acupuncture, and it is often used as a complementary therapy when medications provide only partial relief.¹
It is always a good idea to check with your prescribing doctor before adding any new therapy to your routine, especially if you have a complex medical history or take multiple medications.
At Nyberg Acupuncture and Wellness, Dr. Savage reviews your medical history and current treatment plan to make sure your care supports, and never conflicts with, the medications you are already using.
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IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s can share symptoms, but they are different conditions.
IBS does not cause intestinal damage, which is why imaging and labs often appear normal.⁴
If you have red-flag symptoms, such as bleeding, significant weight loss, fever, or nighttime pain, you should follow up with your gastroenterologist.
If you want to learn more about Crohn’s specifically, you can read our blog on acupuncture for Crohn’s disease.
References:
- Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
- Abdelaziz HA, Ellakany WI, Ellakany A, et al. The relationship between anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms among females: A cross-sectional study in Egypt. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(32):e34777. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034777
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Irritable bowel syndrome: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2024. Accessed 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts for irritable bowel syndrome. NIDDK. Accessed 2025. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/definition-facts
- Cleveland Clinic. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4342-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome. NIDDK. Accessed 2025. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. NIDDK. Accessed 2025. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment
- Yang JW, Qi LY, Yan SY, et al. Efficacy of ACupuncTure in Irritable bOwel syNdrome (ACTION): A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterology. 2025;169(5):958-969.e5. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2025.05.016
- Zhao J, Zheng H, Wang X, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture in refractory irritable bowel syndrome patients. Front Med. 2024;18(4):678-689. doi:10.1007/s11684-024-1073-7
- Qi LY, Yang JW, Yan SY, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant IBS: A pilot randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(12):e2248817. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48817
- Zhou J, Lamichhane N, Xu Z, et al. The effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2025;20(2):e0314678. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0314678
- Lam WC, Chen H, Siah KTH, Thakur ER, Zhong LLD. Electro-acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: Study protocol of a pilot, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial. Front Neurol. 2025;16:1632822. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1632822
- Xing H, Hu W, Bao S. Acupuncture modulates the microbiota–gut–brain axis: A novel therapeutic strategy for amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Front Neurosci. 2025;19:1710066. doi:10.3389/fnins.2025.1710066
