Hypnotherapy for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

IBS is a bowel disorder where abdominal pain, and/or feelings of distention or bloating are linked with defecating or other changes in bowel habit. There can be physical symptoms of stress underlying this
condition, including constipation or diarrhoea, cramps and muscle spasms, or frequent indigestion or heartburn.

Between 20-25%of the population have reported symptoms of IBS.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be extremely effective with a high proportion of clients showing improvement in both symptoms and overall well-being. Dr Whorwell, a leading Gastroenterologist in the UK incorporates hypnosis into his treatment of clients at the Manchester Hospital and the results of his clinical studies showed hypnotherapy as the most effective treatment. Hypnotherapy helped the majority of patients for up to five years after their course of treatment.

By using hypnosis to explore some of the aspects of feelings of anxiety that can be linked to IBS, sufferers can regain control over their own bodies through building tools for relaxation and dissociation from uncomfortable events.

The main advantage of using hypnosis is that this method simply allows greater access to a person's unconscious mind, so that they can themselves effect the changes they require.

Use of hypnosis gives the individual ways of managing the internal experiences connected with IBS for themselves, so that, where their past internal experience has been that of discomfort and anxiety, this can be changed to feelings of comfort, safety and relaxation. In this way, quality of life can be substantially improved.

How hypnosis/ hypnotherapy can help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Reducing sensitivity to trigger situations
• Stimulating calmer, more rational thought processes
• Accessing any underlying causes
• Gaining control over subconscious reactions
• Increasing levels of calm
• Increasing confidence and self belief