Hypnosis for IBS

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects about 20% of the population. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and can range from mild and intermittent to severe and persistent. The symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and disturbed bowel habit (constipation, diarrhea or both). . While appearing normal, the gut is not functioning properly.

Why use hypnosis?

The gut is sensitive to our emotions as is the rest of our body.  The mind and body are not separate entities, but are inexorably linked together. In the case of IBS we are not saying that it is “all in the mind”. Some people decide that their symptoms are brought on or made worse by stress or worry, but for others there seems to be no such link. The gut can be affected by our mind; we can use our mind to alter the way the gut works.

Using hypnosis to assist IBS sufferers

The healing protocol which I use is based, in large part, on the work of Professor P.J. Whorwell at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, U.K. In the early 1980’s Professor Whorwell started using hypnotherapy to help patients with severe IBS symptoms that had not responded well to medication. He found that 75-80% of patients did well and they maintained their improvement long after the treatment had finished.

Similar rates of success are still obtained today. The aim of the treatment is to put the patient back in control of the gut, rather than the gut controlling them. Hypnotherapy is not a cure, but many people do find they have only mild symptoms, or none at all, after treatment. You have a good chance of benefiting greatly.

Laboratory tests have shown that hypnotherapy directly affects how the gut is working. It alters the motility of the gut, how the muscles are contracting and also alters the sensitivity of the gut. Many patients with IBS have an over sensitive gut, and this often returns to normal after a course of hypnosis. People also tend to feel better in themselves, are more able to cope in general and have a better quality of life.

Please note : Individuals seeking hypnosis for IBS must have been diagnosed for the condition. No therapy is carried out without the knowledge of your healthcare provider. The doctor will be kept informed as your symptoms improve.