Treat Your IBS Yourself : Your IBS Toolkit )
Jon Gamble . 2019 . ISBN 978-0-6414844-0-7 .
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine , causing diarrhoea , abdominal pain , cramps , bloating and flatulence . It occurs very commonly : there are over 500,000 cases recorded in Australia every year . While it is not considered lifethreatening or dangerous , it can be very uncomfortable . Women are more likely than men to be affected . The exact cause of IBS is not clear but certain things are known to trigger symptoms , including diet , stress , infection and medications .
Many people with IBS notice that some foods make their symptoms worse , but these ' trigger foods ' differ from one person to the next . This idiosyncratic behaviour is an important aspect of IBS and is why the author of this book , after thirty years of experience in treating IBS , emphasises that there can be no single blanket approach to diagnosis or treatment . Treatment must be tailored to the causes of each individual ’ s experience of the condition .
Part One presents an overview of IBS , raising the key topics of detection , symptoms , lifestyle factors , common treatments ( including FODMAP and Iberogast ), possible causes , and testing . Part Two explores causation and treatment in greater detail . Issues canvassed include intestinal parasites , ‘ sluggish ’ liver , Candida dysbiosis , SIBO ( small intestine bacterial overgrowth ), leaky gut syndrome , food sensitivities and reflux . Conditions are succinctly profiled by aetiology and symptoms , and appropriate nutritional , herbal and lifestyle treatments presented . Where appropriate there are specific focusses on women ’ s and children ’ s experience of IBS . There are appendices on the FODMAPS diet , the common sensitivities of gluten , eggs , dairy and yeast , constipation , finding a practitioner , home-made probiotics , and suitable testing for possible underlying causes of IBS .
ATMS Practitioner Profile Jane Harris
Which modalities do you practise ? I practice Therapeutic / Sports Massage ( UK trained , 1983 ), Remedial Massage ( Aus 2014 ) and Oncology Massage ( Aus 2013 ).
How long have you been in practice ? I originally trained in the UK and I have been a practising massage therapist for 38 years , and a remedial massage therapist since 2014 . I ’ ve been self-employed for 28 years .
What have been the major influences on your career ? The major influences on my career occurred when I decided to upgrade my skills in 2000 and pursue a slow progression to Diploma status through the massage college South Australian Health Education Centre ( SAHEC ), where Kevin Watkins was Principal , and then went on to complete my studies with Natural Health Academy , with Peter and Patricia Farnsworth . Both their and their teaching staff ’ s dedication , knowledge and high standards have been a major influence in the success of my business .
What do you like about being a natural medicine practitioner ? I like helping people achieve their health goals . Being a very intuitive person , I like to assess each individual client ’ s needs holistically , focusing on their emotional / mental state and how that may correlate with their physical state , and using the skills set I have developed from my range of training to assist them to feel their best , both mentally and physically . I like being able to work with , and refer clients to , other natural medicine professionals who will complement my treatment services .
What advice would you give to a new practitioner starting out ? If you are working alone , join a massage therapist group and / or seek a mentor for professional support and guidance . Always make time for yourself and have regular massage to prevent mental and physical burnout ..
What are your future ambitions ? I would like to further my skill set to train as an aromatherapist , so as to integrate the use of pure essential oils for specific issues . I would also like to connect with a naturopath , counsellor and exercise professional to create a ‘ one stop shop ’ to educate clients on how to help themselves via nutrition , exercise and good mental health practices .
What are your reflections on the present state of the natural medicine profession and its future direction ? In the future I ’ d like the massage profession to acquire more evidence and conduct more research as to the benefits of all areas of natural medicine , particularly to be used as a preventive measure and to promote good health . I ’ d like natural medicine professions to be more recognised by health funds to reduce the pressure on the current health system , thus reducing the economic pressure on all .
Any further comments ? Thank you very much for allowing me to participate in the recent ATMS-funded feasibility study that is investigating the effects of massage on clients with osteoarthritis as measured by changes in exercise capacity . I am sure good things will come of it .
JATMS | Summer 2021 | 237