Best Acupuncture Points for IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people, often causing abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. While Western medicine may focus mainly on symptom management, acupuncture takes a deeper approach: it regulates digestion, calms the nervous system, and restores harmony to the whole person.
Here are some of the most effective acupuncture points for IBS, with both their clinical roles and their deeper meaning from a classical perspective.
CV-12 中脘
“Middle Cavity”
Location: On the midline of the abdomen, above the navel.
Function: Harmonizes the stomach and intestines, relieves bloating, pain, and discomfort, and regulates digestion whether it is too fast or too slow.
Daoist Perspective: CV-12 is the center of the center—the Middle Cavity. Points are not just mechanical switches, but gateways into consciousness. CV-12 represents our ability to receive nourishment from both food and life. For IBS patients, it restores balance in the middle burner, calms the gut–brain axis, and reconnects them to their center. In treatment, this point doesn’t just ease bloating or pain—it invites a person to feel grounded and supported in body and spirit.
ST-25 天枢
“Heaven’s Pivot”
Location: On the abdomen, beside the navel.
Function: This point is famous for regulating the intestines. It is used for both diarrhea and constipation, making it central in treating IBS.
Daoist Perspective: The name “Heaven’s Pivot” reminds us that digestion is where Heaven and Earth meet—food from the earth and air from the heavens are transformed into life force. When IBS causes irregular bowel movements, this pivot is out of balance. Needling ST-25 restores that pivot, helping patients feel more aligned and steady in their daily rhythms.
ST-36 足三里
, “Leg Three Miles”
Location: Below the knee on the stomach channel.
Function: Strengthens digestion, tonifies Qi, and supports energy. It is one of the most famous points for overall vitality.
Daoist Perspective: “Leg Three Miles” comes from the idea that after needling this point, a tired traveler could walk another three miles. For IBS patients, ST-36 is not only about regulating digestion—it’s about restoring resilience. It connects the gut to the whole body, reminding us that a strong center gives us the strength to move forward in life.
Conclusion
Acupuncture offers a unique way to treat IBS by targeting both the physical symptoms (pain, diarrhea, constipation) and the deeper root causes—stress, imbalance, and disconnection from the center. Points like ST-25, ST-36 and especially CV-12 create a holistic healing response that addresses the gut and the mind together.
For anyone living with IBS in NYC, acupuncture is more than symptom relief—it’s a path to restoring harmony, resilience, and a healthier relationship with the body.
