Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a diagnosis we are seeing increasingly often these days. In the Netherlands, an estimated 5 to 10% of the population is affected, which amounts to millions of people. It is striking that only a portion of this group actually seeks help, while many people continue to live with symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, or disrupted bowel movements.
When no clear medical cause is found, the label Irritable Bowel Syndrome is quickly applied. For some, this provides a sense of security, but often it raises new questions. After all, if nothing abnormal is visible, where do the symptoms come from?
What is IBS?
IBS is a functional bowel disorder. This means that the intestines appear normal upon examination, but do not function optimally. Symptoms can vary greatly, both in nature and intensity, and often have a major impact on daily life.
What is striking is that the complaint rarely occurs in isolation. It is often an interplay of factors, in which the intestines react more sensitively and cope less well with internal and external stimuli.
How do the symptoms develop?
Although there is no single clear cause, we see that various systems in the body are involved.
The cooperation between the gut and the brain plays an important role. They are continuously connected via the nervous system. When this communication is disrupted, it can affect intestinal motility, blood flow, and the sensitivity of the area.
Stress often plays a major role in this. Under prolonged tension, the body remains in a heightened state of readiness, which comes at the expense of rest and recovery. The intestines react directly to this, which can cause symptoms to develop or worsen.
In addition, we see that the intestines are more sensitive to stimuli in IBS. Normal processes, such as gas formation or bowel movement, can already be experienced as painful or uncomfortable.
The physical condition of the abdomen also plays a role. Organs should be able to move freely relative to one another. When this is impaired, for example due to previous inflammation, surgery, or prolonged tension, it can affect the function of the area. In some cases, adhesions develop, causing tissues to move less smoothly and potentially perpetuating symptoms.
What does conventional medicine do?
In conventional medicine, the focus is primarily on ruling out other conditions. When no abnormalities are found, the diagnosis of IBS is made.
The treatment subsequently focuses primarily on reducing symptoms, for example with dietary advice or medication. This can certainly provide relief, but does not always address the underlying factors that play a role in the overall situation.
What can osteopathy mean for IBS?
Within osteopathy, IBS is approached from a broader perspective. The focus is not only on the intestines themselves, but also on their interaction with the nervous system, tissue mobility, and the body's overall resilience.
During the intake, the origin of the complaints and factors such as stress, lifestyle, and daily strain are examined in detail. Based on this, a picture emerges of what is hindering the body's recovery.
The nervous system plays a central role in this. The intestines are directly connected to the brain via, among other things, the vagus nerve, an important nerve involved in rest and recovery. When this system functions properly, it supports calm and efficient digestion. With prolonged stress, this balance can be disrupted, which directly affects bowel function.
Therefore, the treatment focuses not only on the abdomen but also on structures that influence it, such as the diaphragm, the rib cage, and the spine. By reducing tension and improving mobility, the body regains more space to function normally.
What does scientific research say?
There is increasing research into the role of osteopathy in IBS. One of the most notable studies is a randomized clinical trial comparing osteopathy with standard care
( Brinkhaus et al., 2011 – Randomized Controlled Trial in IBS/IBS ).
The results are clear:
68% of the patients experienced clear improvement
27% indicated a slight improvement
Only 5% noticed no difference
By comparison: within the group that received standard treatment, only 18% showed clear improvement, and symptoms worsened in 17% of the patients.
In addition, the severity of symptoms decreased sharply, with a drop in the symptom index from 174 to 74. Quality of life also improved significantly.
What makes this research interesting is that the effect is not only aimed at symptom control, but appears to be associated with an improvement in the cooperation between various systems in the body.
At the same time, work is currently underway on a new, large-scale study involving more than 400 patients. This type of research aims to further substantiate and refine the role of osteopathy within IBS.
When is it wise to seek help?
When symptoms persist or affect daily functioning, it is worthwhile to look further. Especially if you notice that stress plays a role, or when previous treatments have had insufficient effect, a broader approach can be valuable.
Did you know?
The nervous system in the intestines is so extensive that it is often called the “gut brain.” This system contains hundreds of millions of nerve cells and can function largely independently, separate from the brain.
