(IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Hypnosis: the best solution
Hypnotherapy is emerging as the most effective treatment for severe
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Using hypnotherapy 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 8 million people in Britain suffer from
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to a greater or lesser degree, with symptoms
including bloating, pain, constipation and diarrhoea. Finding effective
treatment had been very difficult and the condition can seriously damage
sufferers’ quality of life.
- Although food and diet allergies can sometimes generate similar symptoms, physical causes and cures for IBS have so far proved something of a mystery to doctors and researchers. However, it is now widely recognised that IBS is usually a direct result of stress and anxiety.
- Treatment using Hypnotherapy is the breakthrough that IBS sufferers have been waiting for... see opposite... and it is now known to be highly effective in most cases.
IBS is a chronic condition that can be really 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, hormone changes (in women) and dietary triggers.
Lifelong relief
- As IBS can be a life long condition, hypnotherapy could obviously be a
very valuable option for patients.
- Like Professor Whorwell (see opposite) I use Hypnotherapy targetted at the gut to alleviate the symptoms of IBS and ultimately change the body's reaction to anxiety and stress so that it does not recur. This occurs for most IBS sufferers I see.
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)
- sudden, urgent need to pass stool
- mucus in stool
- frequent, and incomplete passing of stool
Breakthrough with hypnotherapy
- In 2005, a research breakthrough was made using hypnotherapy in the
treatment of IBS, by Peter Whorwell, Director of the South Manchester
Functional Bowel Service and Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology.
- For over twenty years Professor Whorwell has been researching the use of gut-directed hypnotherapy. Most recently, 250 patients who had suffered from IBS for over two years were given twelve one hour sessions.
70% Success rate
- Professor Whorwell reported that the treatment has a success rate
of about 70%, and hypnosis, although it is labour intensive, could be
a highly effective treatment for the condition. It is a less expensive
alternative to the new, costly drugs coming onto the market.
- Professor Whorwell explains “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 have found it to help all the symptoms, whereas some of the drugs
available reduce only a few...”
*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 believed that hypnosis is so effective because reducing anxiety makes the bowel less sensitive and also reduces pain activity in the brain)
- Explore the events that trigger your IBS (in hypnosis you can identify stressful situations while viewing them from an emotional state of calm well being.)
- Discover your own powerful, inner resources for becoming relaxed and centred (learn a more relaxed way of responding to stress and the world around you)
- Use guided imagery and inner focus (to improve control over sub-conscious 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 six sessions spread over twelve
weeks but this depends on the individual's unique needs and situation.
"NICE recommends Hypnosis for IBS Patients"
source
You may be eligible for funding via the NHS for hypnotherapy
source
Also see IBS
guidance on the NICE website