IBS and Other Gut Issues

IBS had made a virtual prisoner of Samantha*. Her social life had become nonexistent. The frequent attacks of IBS prevented her from leaving the house – she was always concerned she would have to “go” while she was out and would not be able to find a private, clean, comfortable bathroom. The stress of this only exacerbated the symptoms, turning her into a shut in.

All it took, however, was a few hypnosis sessions to reduce her overall anxiety and thus reduce the symptoms enough for her to venture out into the world again.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), is a common condition that affects 10-15% of the population in the US. It can impact the lives of people of all ages, including children. IBS has been found to be the most commonly seen problem among Gastroenterologists and 70% of IBS sufferers are female. Doctors don't know what causes IBS as there are no changes or abnormalities visible in the body. Physicians make their diagnosis based solely on the symptoms described by their patients.

The NIH (National Institute of Health) has recognized hypnosis as a method in dealing with IBS. One of the first studies of hypnotherapy for IBS was conducted by Dr Peter Whorwell, a leading expert on IBS and Hypnotherapy in the UK. A trial he conducted in the 80s found that a group of IBS sufferers who had failed to respond to other treatments showed dramatic improvements when treated with gut-directed hypnotherapy. He said that over 20 years of study has shown that hypnosis improves symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and can even alter the underlying physical problems that cause the symptoms.

One of the main researchers in this area is Dr Olaf Palsson who works at the School of Medicine at the Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr Palsson and his associates have put together a seven session hypnosis treatment protocol for IBS in which I am trained and certified.

A new study shows hypnosis as an effective, long term therapy for IBS syndrome. In the largest long term study of hypnotherapy for IBS to date, seven out of ten patients reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment. Follow up studies have shown that after hypnotherapy treatment patients had up to 72% reduced symptoms and that they were at least 80% better almost 5 years later.

As a treatment, hypnosis is very gentle and has no side effects. You sit or recline comfortably, allowing your eyes to close as you listen to my soothing voice guiding you within as we make suggestions to your body and subconscious mind to make the positive changes your tummy needs.

If IBS is negatively impacting your life, please give me a call for a free consultation and enjoy your life again!

 

Michael is trained and certified in The Palsson-Chapel Hill protocol.

 

*not her real name