Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects one person in five and is the
world’s most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Symptoms
include abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.
It is highly recommended that you seek advice from your GP if you feel
you may be suffering from IBS.

It has now been shown that in some cases emotional triggers,
which affect the function of the central nervous system (or brain)
by virtue of the connections of the brain gut relay, can affect the
intestines. This in turn can bring about a nervous reaction in the gut.
These emotional triggers could be stress or anxiety, or physical or
verbal abuse for instance.

A given amount of stress has been shown to have a greater adverse
effect on intestinal reaction and sensation than in non-sufferers.
Certainly, many sufferers consider that stress is an important factor and is responsible for triggering flare ups of their symptoms.

Peter Whorwell, Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology in the School of Medicine and Director of the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service, discovered a way to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) using hypnotherapy. Most recently, 250 patients who have suffered from IBS for over two years were given twelve one-hour sessions, during which they were given an explanation of how the gut works and what causes their symptoms.

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. The treatment has a success rate of about 70%.*

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a special form of hypnotherapy developed for IBS and digestive disorder sufferers. It uses the therapeutic qualities of hypnotherapy, such as deep relaxation, and adds gut-specific treatments and suggestions.

Please remember, Clinical Hypnosis should not be confused with the stage hypnosis used for entertainment. You remain awake and in full control of your actions during treatment. It's simply a pleasant and very beneficial relaxation.

I receive referrals from local Gastroenterologists as they understand that hypnosis can help alleviate the symptoms of IBS, especially where anxiety is concerned. Please do call and arrange a free initial consultation so we can chat through your individual situation.

* Data from the University of Manchester School of Medicine