Can Hypnotherapy Help IBS?
Unquestionably, Hypnosis for IBS has been successfully used to relieve the painful symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome for many sufferers. IBS affects 10–22% of the UK population, with England’s annual National Health Service (NHS) costs amounting to more than £200 million. Abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habit affect quality of life, social functioning and time off work. Current treatment relies on a positive diagnosis, reassurance, lifestyle advice and drug therapies, but many people suffer ongoing symptoms.
«Hypnosis is twice more effective at relieving agonising symptoms of IBS than other methods,» reports the Mail Online (link below).
Daily Mail
Face to face or web-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be helpful for IBS, reducing IBS symptom severity and it has the potential to have long-term benefits, whereas medications are aimed at symptom relief. However, CBT is not currently routinely offered to patients with IBS due to poor availability.
IBS is generally divided into three categories:
- Mild: The symptoms are infrequent with little or no psychological difficulties.
- Moderate: The symptoms are intense and frequent and will often need psychological and pharmacological intervention.
- Severe: The symptoms are severe and do not respond well to psychological or conventional pharmacological intervention. Approximately 5% fall into this category.
Stress management and dietary awareness play a central role in the treatment of IBS along with pharmacological intervention when needed. The recommended diet includes avoidance of foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. spicy food, cabbage, turnip, caffeine containing drinks and alcohol.
Hypnosis for IBS – Clinical Hypnotherapy
The National Health Service (NHS) recognises the benefits of Clinical Hypnotherapy for IBS.
The UK Guidelines say people should be offered IBS-focused hypnotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or psychological therapy if changes in diet and medications don’t work after 12 month.
During the first appointment, I make an assessment to determine the best method for each particular patient and then I offer / recommend the 3 possible treatments / techniques:
• Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• IBS-focused hypnotherapy
• Rational Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Hypnotherapy: this is more sophisticated as it’s a combination of the above two methods
Before you book an appointment with me to treat IBS, you must ensure that a diagnosis has been made by your doctor. Hypnotherapy is a recommended approach to the treatment of IBS and patients respond rapidly.
By its nature IBS can lead to anxiety and depression. However, anxiety and depression will also exacerbate the symptoms of IBS. Therefore, the sooner this is treated the more effective and faster the patients respond to this treatment.
Maria is a certified hypnotherapist in Loughton, Essex. She has used IBS Hypnosis to successfully help her clients over the years. Also a practised complementary natural health care therapist, she can help people with a variety of physical and emotional problems using hypnosis and holistic techniques combined – For Maria, each and every client is treated individually to specifically suit their needs.
