Hypnotherapy helps ibs sufferers by changing thought processes to be more optimistic and this can help men and women affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The modern method implements an approach generally known as positive visualisation, which involves patients picturing the digestive system as a river.
Research in 2012, from Manchester University, discovered 75% of IBS patients felt that hypnotherapy helped IBS and they noticed an improvement in their condition following hypnotherapy, plus the results lasted for 5 years or even more.
However, the researchers point out that a lot of affected individuals are actually being refused therapy due to prejudice.
‘Sadly many health care professionals are sceptical,’ says Professor Peter Whorwell, who developed the treatment at Manchester University.
He said, ‘It works best for individuals who are rather ill and that have not responded to other remedies.’
Irritable bowel syndrome, that is suffered by 10 to 15% of the UK populace, affects the digestive tract and may result in stomach cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
What causes it is actually unknown. Treatment options consist of diet changes, laxatives and anti-depressants.
How hypnotherapy helps IBS
The hypnotic approach requires weekly sessions for 12 weeks, throughout which individuals are offered suggestions about how they could gain control over their digestive tract. In this way, hypnotherapy helps IBS by slowing down or speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract.
‘They might be imagining their gut as a river, for example,’ says Prof. Whorwell, ‘and modifying its flow according to their needs – a fast-flowing stream being slowed down to a gently meandering river, or the reverse for someone suffering from constipation.’
Peter Whorwell, a gastroenterologist at the University of Manchester, uses hypnotherapy to treat patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). He has been researching and treating IBS with hypnotherapy for over 30 years, and his work has shown that hypnotherapy can be a highly effective treatment for IBS.
Whorwell’s hypnotherapy treatment for IBS involves inducing a state of deep relaxation, and then using suggestions and imagery to help patients better manage their symptoms. The therapy is tailored to each patient’s individual needs, and can include techniques such as visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.
Studies have shown that Whorwell’s hypnotherapy treatment for IBS can significantly reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. In one study, for example, 71% of patients who received hypnotherapy reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, compared to just 42% of patients who received standard medical treatment.
Whorwell believes that hypnotherapy helps IBS because it helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which are known to be triggers for IBS symptoms. By inducing a state of relaxation and helping patients to manage their stress and anxiety, hypnotherapy can help to alleviate IBS symptoms and improve their quality of life.
In summary, Peter Whorwell does use hypnosis to treat IBS, and his work has shown that hypnotherapy can be a highly effective treatment for this condition. By inducing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety, hypnotherapy can help patients to better manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
At the Surrey Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy, our approach to IBS is based on Peter Whorwell’s research and advice. We have seen clients’ lives transformed through the use of the programme. For most clients, the change can turn their life of pain-filled problems into a more relaxed and happy one.