Acupuncture and moxibustion
Mindfulness
Probiotics
Hypnotherapy
These traditional Chinese medicine practices may offer benefits for Crohn’s disease.
An older randomized controlled trial found that those with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease who added acupuncture and moxibustion to their treatment plan experienced reduced disease activity and improved quality of life after 12 weeks. Notably, 74% of those in the treatment group achieved remission compared to 36% in the control group.
Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Common practices include meditation and yoga.
People with IBD have higher rates of anxiety and depression, and mindfulness-based therapies may help. A 2024 meta-analysis of people with IBD found that
Your gut and brain constantly communicate through the gut–brain axis. Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) uses guided relaxation and focused attention to calm the nervous system and reduce gut sensitivity.
While research on GDH in Crohn's disease is limited, findings in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are promising.
Probiotics from food or supplements may support gut health. They can be particularly helpful in ulcerative colitis, though evidence to support use in Crohn's disease is mixed.
Older research suggests that the probiotic blend VSL#3
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mindfulness was associated with improved depression, anxiety, and pain. Another 2022 study noted that mindfulness helped boost resilience and well-being in people with Crohn’s disease.
may help lower inflammation in the body, but not enough to induce remission in Crohn's disease. Some evidence also shows that the yeast supplement Saccharomyces boulardii may help maintain remission in IBD.
condition that affects 1 in 3 people with Crohn’s disease, even in remission.
GDH may help ease pain, diarrhea, and bloating in IBS, a
