Studies looking at the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating IBS show mixed results, but several studies suggest positive effects on IBS symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that causes symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and stomach pain. It’s thought to result from problems with how the brain and the intestines work together.

Treatment for IBS usually includes prescription medications and dietary changes, like increasing fiber intake and avoiding certain types of foods.

Acupuncture is a practice that uses thin needles inserted into the body in specific locations to stimulate sensory nerves in the skin and muscles.

Some evidence suggests acupuncture may work as a complementary treatment to relieve IBS symptoms, but the research is limited.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that’s considered a way to balance your body’s energy.

Currently, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health doesn’t believe there’s enough evidence to show acupuncture can help treat any medical condition other than pain.

But some studies have shown it might be an effective treatment method for IBS symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.

IBS is considered a disorder of the gut-brain interaction. It’s thought to be due to issues with how the brain and the intestines work together. In a 2020 study, researchers looked at how acupuncture could affect the brain-gut connection thought to be responsible for IBS.

In 143 participants with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), researchers found that acupuncture not only improved IBS symptoms but also returned the abnormal brain-gut functional connections to a normal level. However, the study didn’t include a control group, so more research is needed to verify these findings.

A 2024 study in 170 people with IBS (all types) aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture versus “sham” (fake) acupuncture, where acupuncture needles are still inserted into a person’s body. Study participants received either real or sham acupuncture in three sessions per week for 4 weeks. The study measured the change from baseline in the IBS–Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score after 4 weeks and found that the score decreased by 140 in the acupuncture group but only 64 in the sham acupuncture group.

It should be noted that using sham acupuncture in studies is increasingly considered controversial, especially when in a control group. This is because it may still have physiological effects, such as immune response, circulation changes, and neurochemical changes.

Another 2020 study in 519 people with IBS found that acupuncture may be more effective in relieving symptoms than two common treatments for constipation-predominant or diarrhea-predominant IBS (PEG 4000 for IBS-C and pinaverium bromide for IBS-D). The acupuncture group received treatment three times per week for 6 weeks. And the beneficial effects of acupuncture were found to last up to 12 weeks.

However, a 2022 study in 90 people with IBS-D found no significant differences in IBS symptom improvement for those receiving acupuncture treatment compared to sham treatment. Study participants received three sessions of acupuncture over 4 weeks (12 sessions in total). There were substantial improvements in symptoms across all groups, including the sham acupuncture group.

More research is needed to understand if acupuncture is effective for treating IBS.

How long does acupuncture take to work for IBS?

Since it’s not clear whether this treatment is effective even for some, it’s not possible to estimate how long treatment would take to be effective. In recent studies, some participants reported symptom relief right away. For others, it took several weeks. Then again, even those receiving the sham (placebo) treatments reported symptom relief.

Acupuncture is considered a safe procedure that typically doesn’t cause serious side effects. It’s important to see a licensed acupuncturist or other healthcare professional qualified to practice acupuncture to assure they are following requirements to use single use needles in order to avoid infections.

The main side effect of acupuncture is soreness, but this usually goes away within a few hours. Minor bruising can also occur. Consider speaking with your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder like hemophilia.

There’s no special preparation needed. You may want to wear loose-fitting clothing that you can easily roll up to your knees and elbows. The practitioner will tell you if you need to remove any clothing.

Here are the steps for acupuncture:

  1. You’ll lie down on a padded table.
  2. The acupuncturist will insert 5 to 20 hair-thin, sterilized needles one by one in specific points just under the skin or deeper into the muscles.
  3. The needles are left in place for 10or more minutes while you lie down and relax. The practitioner may gently twist or move the needles after placement.
  4. The needles are removed one by one and disposed in a sharps container. They are never re-used.

You might feel tiny pricks when the needles are inserted, or you might not feel anything at all.

Acupuncture points are precise parts of the body where acupuncture practitioners place their needles. They’re based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory.

According to a 2018 study, acupuncture points (acupoints) typically used for treating IBS may include:

Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed provider.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help with symptoms of IBS, but you may wish to try alternative treatments.

Here are some other alternative treatments that may help:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is a type of therapy that focuses on changing your thought patterns to improve IBS symptoms.
  • Relaxation techniques: Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises aim to reduce stress and relax your muscles.
  • Dietary changes: This includes increasing fiber intake or adhering to a low FODMAP diet.
  • Hypnotherapy: This is a type of therapy in which a hypnotherapist puts you in a trance-like state and then makes suggestions designed to help you become more open to improving your symptoms.
  • Taking probiotics: These live microorganisms are similar to those you normally have in your intestines.

Speak with a doctor if you’re interested in trying any of these complementary or alternative methods for IBS.

According to a 2019 study, the median price of a single treatment in the top 10 cities with the highest median across the United States was $112. The exact cost will vary based on your location and other factors.

Some private insurance plans may cover acupuncture treatments, but it depends on the insurer. Acupuncture for IBS isn’t covered by Medicare Part B.

Speak with a doctor if you have frequent symptoms of IBS, like stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation.

If you already have a diagnosis of IBS, see your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve with medications or diet changes. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist or an alternative medicine clinic to try other options.

Acupuncture is considered safe to try. But you should speak with a doctor before using acupuncture alongside or in place of other treatment options.