Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Researchers in Australia surveyed 123 people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to understand their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including acupuncture. The study was conducted online in 2021, primarily reaching participants through IBD-related social media groups.

The findings showed that acupuncture was one of the most commonly used CAM therapies, with 12.2% of participants seeking treatment from acupuncturists. Chiropractors (8.9%) were also frequently consulted. What's notable is that participants rated these CAM practitioners as "very helpful" when compared to mainstream healthcare providers.

Beyond acupuncture, people with IBD commonly used vitamins (51.2%), probiotics (43.9%), and herbal medicines (30.9%). Participants reported using these therapies to improve their overall wellbeing and manage their IBD symptoms long-term. Women were significantly more likely than men to seek care from CAM practitioners.

Interestingly, while doctors remained the primary source of health information for most participants (64.2%), many expressed dissatisfaction with conventional treatments alone. Patients indicated they wanted a more holistic approach to managing their condition that addressed their overall health, not just their IBD symptoms.

For people with IBD considering acupuncture, these findings suggest it may be a helpful complementary therapy alongside conventional medical care. However, the study highlights an important gap: limited research on the safety and effectiveness of CAM therapies means healthcare providers often can't offer evidence-based guidance. The researchers emphasize that open communication between patients and doctors about CAM use is essential for safe, integrated care.

If you're considering acupuncture for IBD, seek a qualified, licensed acupuncturist and inform your gastroenterologist about all therapies you're using.

This Australian cross-sectional study (n=123) examined complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease through an anonymous online survey distributed via IBD-specific social media platforms over three months in 2021. Acupuncture utilization was reported by 12.2% of respondents, with chiropractic care at 8.9%. CAM practitioners received higher satisfaction ratings ("very helpful") compared to mainstream providers. Vitamins (51.2%), probiotics (43.9%), and herbal medicine (30.9%) were the most commonly used CAM products, primarily for perceived wellbeing improvements and long-term IBD management. Binary logistic regression revealed female gender as a significant predictor of CAM practitioner access (OR 12.6, 95% CI 1.62-98.1, p=0.02). Despite physicians being the primary information source (64.2%), participants expressed dissatisfaction with conventional therapy and desire for holistic care. Clinical takeaway: High CAM utilization rates and patient satisfaction gaps underscore the need for healthcare providers to proactively discuss CAM use with IBD patients, fostering collaborative care planning despite limited efficacy data.