Complementary treatments for irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic remitting and relapsing functional gastrointestinal disorder commonly seen in primary practice. The reported prevalence varies depending on the diagnostic criteria used, but ranges from 5% to 20%.1 It is characterised by recurrent abdominal pain/discomfort, changes in bowel habit (constipation and/ or diarrhoea), and may be accompanied by bloating or flatus.