Many people seek out acupuncture to help ease bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Some people may have a diagnosis of IBS. Others may have struggled with symptoms for a long time. These may include bloating, abdominal pain or cramping, loose bowels or constipation or a mixture of the two, or urgency with a bowel movement.

Some people are aware of triggers for this, which can include foods such as wheat or dairy, or lifestyle factors, such as travelling, stress or eating late at night.

I often prescribe a course of treatment for these symptoms and this may include acupuncture, soothing Chinese abdominal massage (tuina) and heat treatments such as moxa (burning of a Chinese herb over the acupuncture point).

On average six treatments are recommended although each individual case is unique and within that time most people experience a vast improvement or complete relief of symptoms.

I may also talk to you about diet and ways of eating as a way of managing symptoms and preventing a return to discomfort. Recent research explored the success of this condition and acupuncture in more depth.