I
rritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an inconvenient, embarrassing and often painful condition that targets the stomach, intestines and bowels. It can even instigate other ailments such as bladder dysfunction, lower back pain, general aches, and extreme fatigue. While IBS is becoming increasingly common, its causes remain unknown.
Our digestive tract is the body part most sensitive to our emotions and mental state. Some people, for example, experience stomach aches or the need to frequent the bathroom when extremely nervous or under stress. The phrase “trust your gut” originates from the idea that your stomach’s reactions can act as a warning system in perilous situations. Many IBS sufferers notice that their condition is stimulated or exacerbated by stress, discontent or other mental/emotional maladies.
However, if a negative mental state can provoke physical illness, why not use a positive mental state to promote health and wellness? Hypnosis is a safe, simple and powerful way of taking control over your IBS and reducing or eliminating those agonizing symptoms.
How Stress Can Exacerbate IBS—And What You Can Do About It
Countless independent studies have proven that stress causes or worsens nearly every chronic physical condition, including IBS. We literally worry ourselves sick. By using hypnosis to reduce stress, you can greatly improve the condition of your body as well as your mind. Hypnosis is successful because it seeks out and eases stress where it originates: your subconscious mind.
Our minds are made up of two parts: the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is responsible for the thoughts and beliefs we are aware of whereas the subconscious deals with that which lies beneath the surface. Imagine you’re reading a book: your conscious mind processes the words and makes sense of the story, whereas your subconscious mind reacts with emotions such as sadness or amusement. It is our subconscious mind which harbours the stress that in turn envenoms chronic conditions such as IBS.
Hypnosis is a highly successful form of stress management because it allows direct access to your subconscious thoughts. It does this by forming a connection between your conscious and your subconscious by inducing a state of deep relaxation. From there, it is possible to determine the precise source of your stress. For example, if it’s your relationship with your significant other is causing you grief, exactly what elements are wrecking the most emotional havoc? The answers which present themselves may come as a surprise. Next, using motivational suggestion, your hypnotherapist will help you turn that malignant energy into positive thoughts that will foster inner tranquillity and happiness. Finally, because the session itself involves such deep relaxation, you will leave feeling calm and stress-free for hours, days or even weeks! And as the stress in your life decreases, your overall health—including your IBS—will improve.
Scientific Studies Have Proven the Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy on IBS
The following are summaries of studies done on IBS and how the condition is affected by hypnosis. All information was gathered from the PubMed website.
"We undertook a randomized controlled trial and compared clinical effectiveness of hypnotherapy with standard medical therapy in children with functional abdominal pain or IBS... Hypnotherapy was highly superior, with a significantly greater reduction in pain scores compared with standard medical therapy... At 1 year follow-up, successful treatment was accomplished in 85% of the hypnotherapy group and 25% of the standard medical therapy group."
Hypnotherapy for children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Department of Pediatrics, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
Full Article
"Patients received five sessions of hypnotherapy in addition to their usual management... [they] were significantly less likely to require medication, and the majority described an improvement in their condition."
Gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: piloting a primary care-based randomised controlled trial.
Department of Primary Care and General Practice, Division of Primary Care, Public and Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Full Article
"A 3-month home-treatment version of a scripted hypnosis protocol previously shown to improve all central IBS symptoms was completed by 19 IBS patients. Outcomes were compared to those of 57 matched IBS patients from a separate study receiving only standard medical care. Ten of the hypnosis subjects (53%) responded to treatment by 3-month follow-up (response defined as more than 50% reduction in IBS severity) vs. 15 (26%) of [those who did not receive hypnosis]. Hypnosis subjects improved more in quality of life scores compared to [those who did not receive hypnosis]."
Hypnosis home treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study.
Division of Digestive Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Full Article
"Eleven studies, including 5 controlled studies, have assessed the therapeutic effects of hypnosis for IBS... The median response rate to hypnosis treatment is 87%, bowel symptoms can generally be expected to improve by about half, psychological symptoms and life functioning improve after treatment, and therapeutic gains are well maintained for most patients for years after the end of treatment."
Hypnosis for irritable bowel syndrome: the empirical evidence of therapeutic effects.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
Full Article
"Over 70% [of general practitioners responding to a survey] thought that hypnotherapy may have a role in the management of patients with IBS; though the majority (68%) felt that this should not be offered by general practitioners. 84% felt that this should be offered by qualified hypnotherapist, with 40% feeling that this should be offered outside the health service."
General practitioners believe that hypnotherapy could be a useful treatment for irritable bowel syndrome in primary care.
Gillets Surgery, Deanland Road, Balcome, West Sussex, UK
Full Article
Use Hypnosis to Fight Stress and Get Relief from IBS—Fast!
Don’t suffer from the pain, discomfort and embarrassment that comes along with IBS any longer. Use hypnotherapy to reduce your stress and take control over your health and your life. To begin, fill out the form below (or call us at 416-556-4068) and schedule your free consultation at our office in downtown Toronto. Trust your gut—and get relief fast.
We would like to emphasize that we don't diagnose IBS or any other medical condition, and that you need to continue seeing your physician for IBS and any other medical problems that you have. Our care must be a complement, not an alternative, to conventional medical care.