Column February 16, 2026
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — When Stress Makes Your Gut Hurt
Hyo-seop Kim
Chief Director
Table of Contents
Stomach pain whenever you are nervous
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and gas recur even though colonoscopy reveals no abnormality. It affects 10–15% of the general population and is closely related to stress.
The Gut-Brain Axis and Liver-Spleen disharmony
The Gut-Brain Axis emphasized in modern medicine corresponds precisely to the Korean medicine concept of Liver-Spleen disharmony (肝脾不和). When the Liver (stress) overpowers the Spleen (digestion), bowel motility becomes irregular.
- Diarrhea-predominant IBS: Diarrhea triggered by tension → Tongxie Yaofang (痛瀉要方) — restrains the Liver and tonifies the Spleen
- Constipation-predominant IBS: Stress causes intestinal stiffness → Sihosogan-san plus moistening herbs
- Mixed IBS: Alternating diarrhea and constipation → modified Soyo-san to regulate Liver and Spleen at the same time
Acupuncture
Tianshu (ST25) and Dachangshu (BL25) regulate bowel motility, while Taichong (LR3) releases Liver qi and reduces stress reactivity. Combining moxibustion on the abdomen helps relax tension in the gut.
Diet management
- A low-FODMAP diet may be helpful
- Reducing cold foods, dairy, and wheat often eases symptoms
- Regular meal times and chewing slowly remain the basics