Hypnosis for IBS

What is IBS?

The term IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome means simply, that the bowel is irritated. IBS can be difficult to diagnose because upon testing there is no physical evidence such as ulcers or inflammation. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion – which means that if the doctors can’t determine any other cause for the digestive symptoms being experienced, a diagnosis of IBS is likely to be made. The fact that the cause of IBS is officially “unknown” from the point of view of mainstream medicine may be largely due to the fact that medical doctors seldom perform the specialized diagnostic procedures necessary to rule out possible underlying causes, such as parasites, candida, diverticular disease, infectious diarrhea, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and infection in the small intestine caused by bacterial overgrowth.

What are the range of IBS symptoms?

Since everyone is unique, the symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person and can range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms may include:

  • Diarrhea and/or constipation (chronic or alternating)

  • Abdominal pain or spasm

  • Excess mucus in the colon or stool

  • Bowel urgency or incontinence

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • A “lump in the throat”

  • Nausea

  • Chest pain

  • Heartburn

  • Urinary frequency

  • Fatigue

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

How does Stress affect IBS?

Stress – feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed – stimulates colon spasm in people with IBS. The colon has a vast supply of nerves that connect it to the brain. These nerves control the normal rhythmic contractions of the colon and cause abdominal discomfort at stressful times. People often experience cramps or “butterflies” when they are nervous or upset. But with IBS, the colon can be overly responsive to even slight conflict or stress. Stress also makes the mind more tuned to the sensations that arise in the colon and makes the stressed person perceive these sensations as unpleasant.

Some evidence suggests that IBS is affected by the immune system, which fights infection in the body. The immune system is also affected by stress. For all these reasons, stress management is an important part of treatment for IBS.

 

How can Hypnosis help IBS?

Research suggested that 75% of IBS patients do not respond to traditional treatment, such as multiple medications, including steroids, bulking laxatives and special diets. However, nearly 80% of patients found hypnotherapy had helped in improving their symptoms. Many gastroenterologists now advocate the use of hypnosis for IBS and recommend it should be the first choice of treatment with IBS symptoms.

Hypnosis can help you with IBS by:

  • Reducing Symptoms. We use direct, straightforward hypnosis to help to treat the symptoms of IBS. It is a combination of powerful suggestions delivered both directly and indirectly to your subconscious mind. Certain forms of visualization are also often useful to treat IBS.

  • Reducing Pain. In case where the client is already in significant discomfort then the focus initially is on pain control, pain management & pain reduction. 

  • Reducing Stress. Stress management comprises:

    • Identifying triggers

    • Relaxation training

    • Counselling and support

    • Regular exercise such as walking or yoga

    • Changes to the stressful situations in your life

    • Adequate sleep