Did you know that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects an average of 25 and 45 million people in the U.S.?
In short, IBS isn’t uncommon, and patients often struggle to find relief. IBS symptoms can range from diarrhea and constipation to bloating and sharp abdominal pains.
Unfortunately, over half of IBS sufferers are also dissatisfied with standard medical management techniques, leaving them wondering where to turn.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with IBS, know there may be a new type of relief: IBS hypnotherapy. Read about it here.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is a type of functional gastrointestinal disorder. These disorders are thought to have many causes, including your gut and brain not working together in harmony.
Typical IBS symptoms can include:
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Cramps and pain
- Excessive gas
Current treatment for IBS consists mainly of self-care and therapy. Some people are able to manage IBS symptoms by making changes in their diet (fodmaps diet), and physical exercise. Stress management is also a great way to manage symptoms and improve the overall quality of life. Others will need medication in order to treat IBS.
Interestingly, doctors still haven’t identified the exact cause of IBS. Theories range from excess bad bacteria in the gut, reactions to certain foods or medications, or even stressful events.
Another theory is that miscommunication between the gut and the brain could cause erratic contractions in the intestinal lining, which may contribute to pain.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Many of us have seen hypnotists on stage or on television hypnotizing crowds of people and felt doubtful about whether hypnosis is legitimate.
Fortunately, a hypnotherapy session with a Certified hypnotherapist is very different than a stage show and has quite a bit of science behind it.
Hypnosis is a form of psychotherapy that increases concentration, relaxation, and attention. In this altered state of awareness, a patient is more open to positive suggestions from a hypnotherapist.
However, this doesn’t mean that the hypnotist holds some type of power over the patient. Unlike what public perception portrays, patients are typically aware of what’s happening during and after their sessions.
Several clinical studies show this type of hypnosis can help reduce pain, emotional stress, and IBS symptoms.
Hypnosis for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
How exactly can hypnosis help improve IBS symptoms? Researchers believe the link we discussed earlier between the gut and the brain may play a key role.
IBS patients experience symptoms that can manifest due to their gut being irritated, whether from a certain type of food, chemical, gastrointestinal contractions, or emotional stress.
Hypnosis for IBS focuses on “gut-directed hypnotherapy” to help ease this irritation.
These sessions often begin by gently leading patients into a hypnotic, relaxed state. They are then led through a series of relaxing visualizations and suggestions designed to soothe their digestive tract.
This increased focus and attention on soothing the gut lining can help encourage hyper-reactive muscles in the intestinal wall to relax.
The increased focus on the gut can also help improve its connection with the brain. This is important because a disconnect between the brain and gut can be a key factor in IBS symptoms.
In addition, this may also help stabilize the signals between the brain and gut so that the gut isn’t receiving jumbled signals. Miscommunication of these signals could lead to excessive contractions of the gut lining, causing irritation and pain. The results of hypnotherapy programs are impressive, even in children. One study found that two-thirds of a small group of children with chronic IBS who received IBS hypnosis sessions were at least 80 percent improved almost five years later.
Is Hypnotherapy for IBS Right For You?
You may wonder if hypnotherapy will work for you even if you don’t believe in suggestion.
The truth is, hypnotherapy isn’t solely for people who are very open to suggestion. Hypnosis offers very subtle suggestions that are picked up by your subconscious, so you can experience them even if you are afraid you won’t.
Our brains pick up suggestions all day long. For instance, your subconscious may notice a billboard of your favorite food while driving to work. Even though your conscious mind wasn’t aware, you could still find yourself craving that food later in your day.
This is the power of subconscious suggestion.
However, if you are very skeptical, you may find that your brain will remain closed to positive suggestions.
This is why if you are considering hypnotherapy, it helps to have an open mind to the possibility that it may work. One way to overcome excessive doubt may be to check out research studies.
It is also important to remember that while hypnotherapy can help with many ailments, it cannot cure serious diseases such as cancer. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options.
How to Find a Hypnotherapist
There are a few factors to keep in mind in your search for a quality hypnotherapist.
The first is certification. Your hypnotherapy IBS practitioner should be certified by an accredited Institute of Hypnotherapy. This assures that they have learned professional hypnosis techniques and have clinical experience with patients.
Secondly, determining if your hypnotherapist is also certified or holds a degree in nutrition or health is a bonus. Knowledge of IBS ensures your practitioner is aware of the nature of IBS and can effectively lead gut-directed hypnosis sessions.
IBS Hypnotherapy Online
Luckily, you can start using hypnosis for irritable bowel syndrome without leaving your home.
At Health by Hypnosis I offer virtual hypnosis sessions so you can receive relief from the comfort of your home. In fact, I have found that virtual sessions can be an even more comfortable and relaxing experience since you’re in familiar surroundings.
I’m Janet, a certified hypnotherapist, a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and a Master Eriksonian Hypnotherapist from The NLP Center of New York.
All you will need is a device, an internet connection, and a quiet place in order to complete an IBS hypnotherapy session.