Integrative GI Therapies

Integrative IBD therapies bring together care modalities focused on the whole person and take into account your child’s nutrition, sleep, and social environment. The field of integrative IBD uses evidence-based and evidence-informed nonpharmacologic (without medicine) modalities. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is proud to be one of just five pediatric centers in the nation to offer integrative IBD therapies.

Integrative IBD evaluation

This initial evaluation includes a comprehensive intake of your child’s IBD story as it relates to every aspect of life, including current medications, symptoms and triggers, diet, sleep, physical activity, school, social interactions, and sources of stress. We engage in motivational interviewing to focus on your child’s top areas of desired improvement and provide a comprehensive integrative treatment plan.

Sample modalities:

Acupuncture/acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure may help to decrease joint pain, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia.

Supplement and vitamin management

Specific nutritional supplements and botanicals have been shown in evidence-based studies to be effective in alleviating some IBD symptoms. Some examples include turmeric/curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins.

Mind-body interventions

Mind-body therapies are a group of nonpharmacological (nonmedicine) interventions that include acupuncture, massage, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, mindfulness, yoga, medical hypnosis, and child and family therapy sessions. These modalities target the mind-gut connection by decreasing stress and increasing relaxation.