Using Hypnotherapy to Beat IBS

Hypnotherapy is one of the best known and most widely used treatments for IBS, and can offer sufferers a drug-free solution to their symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain and bloating.

There are now many hundreds of hypnotherapists who offer what is called "gut-directed hypnotherapy" for IBS, which takes the general techniques of hypnotherapy and applies them directly to the abdominal pain and digestive symptoms which IBS sufferers struggle with. This type of hypnotherapy has been clinically tested and found to be very helpful to many IBS patients.

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 1980s found that a group of IBS sufferers who had failed to respond to other treatments showed dramatic improvements when treated with gut-directed hypnotherapy. Since then, other therapists have shown similar results.

What hypnotherapy involves

Hypnotherapy in a medical setting bears no relation to the kind of stage hypnosis where volunteers are made to do ridiculous things in the name of entertainment. In fact, patients remain entirely in control of their own actions, and are simply coaxed into a kind of deep relaxation state.

While the patients is in this state the therapist will talk to you and make positive suggestions ? one typical method for IBS is to ask you to place your hand over your abdomen and imagine that a healing warmth is flowing from your hand to your stomach.

Some hypnotherapists will record each session for you so that you can listen to them again between your appointments, and therefore increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

Self-hypnosis

If you don't have the time or the resources to visit a qualified hypnotherapist, you might find some relief in one of the self-hypnosis CDs available, which can be listened to in the comfort of your own home.

While you will not get an individual treatment program from a ready-made CD, you will be able to benefit from the general hypnosis approach, and you can choose to listen to the CDs whenever you have the time.

The IBS Audio Program, developed by the UK hypnotherapist Michael Mahoney, is the most widely used program for IBS sufferers, and is available on audio CD and cassette. The program is designed to be used over 100 days, and includes four CDs and a program booklet. The makers claim that around 80% of listeners experience a significant reduction of pain and bowel dysfunction.

The program consists of three therapeutic session CDs, with an introduction and five different hypnotherapy sessions. It also includes a bonus fourth CD (the IBS Companion), which explains IBS to non-sufferers.

About The Author

Sophie Lee has suffered from IBS for more than 15 years. She runs IBS Tales http://www.ibstales.com where you can read hundreds of personal stories from IBS sufferers and self-help tips.

sophie@ibstales.com

---

Sweet Sustenance

"The difference between sugar addiciton and narcotic addiction is largely... Read More

Eucalyptus: The Way to Smoother Breathing

The eucalyptus is a popular Australian remedy that was first... Read More

Laughter and Your Health

Alternative medicine: jokes and humor for your healthWhen thinking about... Read More

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine, also referred to as Herbalism or Botanical Medicine,... Read More

I Want To Be Able To Function and Not Be Stopped by My Pain

Why Your Subconscious May Be Able To Give You a... Read More

Pranic Therapy - Part I

Pranic Therapy Part I - An IntroductionPranic Therapy is an... Read More

Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Powerbreathe, Lung Conditioner, and Breathing Exerciser

What is The Powerbreathe?POWERbreathe is the result of nearly a... Read More

Water Therapy: Therapeutic and Esoteric Properties for Your Home Spa Smart Bathing

Something New Interesting About Water Therapy."The more I find out,... Read More

Glutamate ? A Pain Transmitter Your Subconscious May Be Able To Limit

Glutamate is one of the most important transmitters of chronic... Read More

Achieve Instant Calm

For instant calm, try one or more of the following... Read More

At-Home Relief For Ingrown Hairs

#1 Use Antibiotic SoapAntibiotic soap helps to clear up and... Read More

Injured Athletes and Acupuncture

I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is a massage session that takes place in... Read More

What Organic Really Means in 2005

The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that... Read More

Some Alternative Health Strategies

CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies are generally classified into... Read More

You Can Stop Biting Your Nails, Heres How!

Are you tired of being self-conscious about your hands and... Read More

Natural Remedy for Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition defined as the inflammation of the... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Snoring: A Common Sleep Disorder

Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the... Read More

Stuttering Child

Children can develop a stutter at an early age and... Read More

Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments

There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and... Read More

What Is Thought Field Therapy?

Dr. Roger Callahan is and American psychologist who discovered Thought... Read More

Natural Remedies for Eliminating Warts Quickly & Safely!

Warts are a type of infection caused by virus called... Read More

An Udderly Ricidulous Home Remedy

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Kyolic Clears Constipation and Strengthens Your Colon

Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all... Read More

Body Work

Body Work is more than just a massage, it's a... Read More

Vibrational Medicine

Vibrational medicine attempts to treat people with various forms of... Read More

Breathing and Mental Concentration

In spirituality, there are number of exercises available that help... Read More

NMT: Trigger Point Therapy and What to Look for in a T Bar

Massage therapy is as ancient as noodles. People have been... Read More

Shingles - A Virus Which Can Be Extremely Painful, Or Cleared In No Time - The Choice Is Yours

Shingles, commonly known as the herpes zoster virus is a... Read More

Health in the Self

What is health?Is health the absence of disease? Is health... Read More

Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally ? Cholesterol Through The Mouth

If you have high cholesterol, you should educate yourself about... Read More