Osteopathy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Osteopathy believes the body has the ability to heal itself, and treats dysfunction by manipulation. Treatment benefits the patient by providing relaxation, normalising extrinsic and intrinsic autonomic control mechanisms and relieving congestion. The primary purpose of research was to compare the efficacy of osteopathic and allopathic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a hospital environment. Forty IBS patients patients diagnosed by a gastroenterological consultant using the accepted Rome Criteria received either allopathic or osteopathic treatment. Their symptoms were assessed using a symptom diary before commencing treatment, six weeks and three months post treatment. Results indicate that the Osteopathic treatment was effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in both the short and long term. Also, that Osteopathic treatment was significantly more effective than allopathic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of an Irritable Bowel

1. Abdominal pain relieved by defecation
2. Abdominal distention
3. More frequent stools when there is pain
4. Looser stools when abdominal pain starts
5. Mucus passed anally
6. A feeling of complete evacuation
   

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