(IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Hypnosis: the best solution
Hypnotherapy is emerging as the most effective treatment for severe
IBS. Using hypnosis and self-hypnosis clients can engage their mind at the
deepest level to relax the gut.
Widespread mystery
- It is estimated that as many as eight million people in Britain suffer
from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to a greater or lesser degree, with
symptoms including pain, diarrhoea, constipation and bloating. Finding effective
treatment has been very difficult and the condition can seriously damage
sufferers’ quality of life .
- Although diet and food allergies can sometimes generate similar symptoms, physical causes and cures for IBS have so far proved a mystery to doctors and researchers. However, it is now widely understood that IBS is usually a direct result of stress and anxiety.
- Treatment with Hypnotherapy is the breakthrough that IBS sufferers have been waiting for... see opposite... and is now known to be in most cases extremely effective.
IBS is a chronic condition that can be very distressing. It can be emotionally draining, socially stressing and detrimental to the physical well-being of the sufferer. Factors know to aggravate the condition are stress, hormonal changes (in women) and dietary triggers.
Lifelong relief
- “As IBS can be a life-long condition it could clearly be a very
valuable option for patients.”
- Like Professor Whorwell (see opposite) I use Gut-Orientated Hypnotherapy to look to alleviate the symptoms of IBS and ultimately change the body's reaction to stress and anxiety for most clients so that it doesn't recur.
Some of the typical physical symptoms of IBS are:
- abdominal bloating
- flatulence
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- abdominal cramps (diffuse, colick-like aching, often eased by passing
wind or stool)
- mucus in stool
- sudden, urgent need to pass stool
- frequent, and incomplete passing of stool
Breakthrough with hypnotherapy
- In 2005 a research breakthrough was made in the treatment of IBS,
using hypnotherapy, by Peter Whorwell, Professor of Medicine and
Gastroenterology in the School of Medicine, and Director of the
South Manchester Functional Bowel Service.
- For over 20 years Professor Whorwell has been researching the use of gut-directed hypnosis. Most recently, 250 patients who have suffered from IBS for over two years were given twelve one-hour sessions.
70% Success rate
- Professor Whorwell reports that the treatment has a success rate of
about 70%, and hypnotherapy, although it is labour-intensive, could
be an extremely effective treatment for the condition; and a less expensive
alternative to new, costly drugs coming onto the market.
- Professor Whorwell explained “IBS is ideal for treatment with hypnosis, as there is no structural damage to the body”. “During the hypnotherapy, sufferers learn how to influence and gain control of their gut function, and then seem to be able to change the way the brain modulates their gut activity... We’ve found it to help all the symptoms, whereas some of the drugs available reduce only a few,” he said.
*Required disclaimer: Results, symptoms and treatment may vary from person to person, all individual cases are taken on merit.
- You will learn controlled relaxation with hypnosis and self-hypnosis (it is thought that hypnosis is so effective because reducing anxiety makes the bowel less sensitive and reduces pain activity in the brain)
- Explore the events that trigger your IBS (in hypnosis you can identify stressful situations visually while viewing them from an emotional state of calm well-being.)
- Discover your own powerful, inner resources for becoming relaxed and centred (enable a more relaxed way of responding to your stress and the world around you)
- Use guided imagery and inner focus (to improve control over subconscious body functions, and hence restore their health and efficacy)
- Work deeply on implanting powerful thoughts of self-confidence at the deepest level of your thinking. (the aim is to empower yourself to take on any challenges you need to, in a strong and positive way)
- Timeframe:
Typically clients would need around 6 sessions spread over 12 weeks
but this depends on the individual's unique situation and needs.