- Irritable Bowel Syndrome -
President Emeritus (Life) - Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association
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A large-scale UK study of 250 people suffering from acute long term Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) participated in 12 sessions of hypnotherapy that clearly demonstrated that hypnotherapy significantly reduced their symptoms and improved their quality of life. There were also the additional benefits, for most participants, in that they experienced a noticeable reduction in feelings of anxiety and depression.
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in a number of previous research studies. This has led to the establishment of the first Unit in the UK staffed by six therapists which provides this treatment as a clinical service.
In some cases, symptoms can be so severe that IBS sufferers find themselves having problems coping with work. They don’t find it easy to socialise as they may have bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, emit smelly gasses and noises - leaving the sufferer miserable and depressed.
In the UK study, patients underwent 12 sessions of hypnotherapy over a 3-month period and were required to practise techniques in between sessions.
Marked improvement was seen in all symptom measures, quality of life, anxiety and depression, in keeping with previous studies.
The study clearly demonstrated that hypnotherapy remains an extremely effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome which should prove more cost-effective as new, more expensive drugs come on to the market. It may be less useful in males with diarrhoea-predominant bowel habit.
*Note
In my own practice I have found that most client’s IBS started after a stressful event. A combination of therapies that includes seeing a Gastroenterologist, Dietician and a Clinical Hypnotherapist who has received training in the UK methods, supported with the IBS CD may be just what you need.
"The health of your body influences what you experience in your mind. There is no split. If you can engage your whole spirit in the pursuit of total fitness - not just your intellect, not just your emotions - but instead everything inside you that is truly you, you'll discover what it is to be a whole person." ~David Patchell-Evans
