General Information

Below are various alternative approaches that can relieve many digestive woes: -

These therapies may alleviate gas pains fast, as well as improve digestion in general and relieve constipation and indigestion. Learn more about massage and bodywork.

Acupuncture

Treatments can help keep nausea at bay and relieve pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome.  Learn more about acupuncture.

Aromatherapy

Just inhaling certain essential oils can relieve indigestion. Peppermint or rosemary oils work for many people, but you may have to do some experimenting.

Ayurveda

Healers may tailor a treatment plan -- including dietary changes, exercise and meditation techniques, and even sound or music therapy -- to remedy various digestive problems.

Chiropractic

These treatments -- though probably not just spinal adjustments alone -- may provide some relief.

Herbal remedies

Drinking chamomile, ginger, or peppermint tea may calm an upset stomach, relieve gas pains, and reduce nausea. Chili peppers seem to relieve digestive troubles in some people and cause them in others. Getting a little licorice root down your throat can help heal ulcers. Be sure to use the kind with the glycyrrhizic acid removed, because this is the ingredient that seems to cause serious side effects often associated with licorice (including high blood pressure). And don't expect too much help from eating licorice candy, much of which contains very little of the real thing.

Homeopathy

Digestive aids may be worth a try for specific symptoms.

Massage

Gentle massage can often relieve indigestion.

Nutrition and supplements

Diet can make a huge difference in many stomach and intestinal problems. If you just avoid overeating, you can often prevent indigestion, gas, and bloating. Eating more fiber can help either diarrhea or constipation. Drinking warm lemon juice or eating prunes may relieve constipation, and limiting the diet to dry toast, bananas, applesauce, and rice can help diarrhea. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome find that cutting back on dietary fats provides relief. Avoiding beans, alcohol, spicy foods, or fermented foods may help minimize gas pains or indigestion. And, of course, if the trouble is due to a food allergy, avoiding the problem food is an obvious solution. Psyllium, or other "natural laxatives," can help the stool absorb water and so prevent or relieve constipation and so may powdered flaxseed. Enzyme supplements may help certain people who get sick after eating dairy products or beans.

Stress reduction techniques

Get stress under control, and many tummy troubles let up. Relaxation methods, guided imagery, and meditation can all help.

Yoga

The postures may provide relief from gas and bloating. And getting regular exercise of any sort can stave off many digestive troubles.

Stress control

 

PS.  John Moss, our Chairperson, who has CD, has benefited greatly from doing these exercises for over 5 months, as follows:  

   It has helped strengthen his stomach muscles, which have been cut, due to 4 operations. It has relieved stress and improved his general well-being.  It appears to have controlled his chronic diarrhoea