" I don't believe that western medicine has all the answers in terms of cures and healing."
One thing is its moving to a more holitic approach and this is helping a lot. Also intergrative medicine is a good word. They haven't even ask all the questions yet to research, it is extremely complex issues and a lot to study, but they are making big progress in medicine in general and IBS. Some medical breathroughs lately have been mind boggling, in somethings they have accomplished. IBS and functional disorders needs more funding for research.
"Cure" is a word you can only use when you understand the exact problem and cause. With IBS is it multidimensional.
Healing is another issue all together, healing yourself physically and mentally, can incorporate a lot of issues.
The world health organization defintion of health.
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."