About one in every five Britons suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome at sometime. This sometimes debilitating ailment, known as IBS, can be caused by diet or stress and it can strike at any time, preventing the sufferer from performing even the simplest of tasks, like walking or shopping.
Every so often new drugs come on to the market which are said to be the cure to IBS but, according to some, there is no cure for IBS.
Well, that is incorrect as hypnotherapy can help break the cycle of pain and anxiety related to IBS and has done so for thousands of people.
But imagine what it would be like to be completely free of IBS. Hypnotherapy can help you break the cycle of pain and anxiety related to IBS, and has done so for thousands of people.
As far back as the 1980s, research pioneered by Professor Peter Whorwell, a top UK gastroenterologist , showed hypnotherapy can make significant contribution to the treatment of IBS. His research shows that over 60 per cent of IBS sufferers who undertake hypnotherapy see long-term improvement or complete disappearance of symptoms, often with no recurrence.
Acknowledged within the wider medical profession as an evidenced-based therapy that can help reduce the symptoms of IBS, and sometimes alleviate those symptoms entirely, hypnotherapy is also listed by the National Health Service and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as one of the treatments to help with IBS.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), with over 1,800 qualified therapists on its directory, says as IBS is such a loose collection of symptoms, there is not one definitive cure.
However, there are a number of self-help treatments that can alleviate symptoms, such as a controlled diet and therapies such as hypnosis. Evidence shows that six hours of treatment over works well, with the opportunity to top these up in the longer term. Sometimes, hypnotherapy can work in a few sessions, or just one and the therapist will monitor progress on a session-by-session basis.
For many individuals, the stress brought on by the pain is liable for the majority of the problems suffered. This means that without this particular aspect the symptoms can be diminished massively.
Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious and also the conscious mind. As psychological well-being impacts on physical health and vice versa, a hypnotic approach can help the IBS sufferer become a little more in tune with their mind as well as be more in control of it. For many affected individuals, help with these signs and symptoms could significantly enhance their everyday lives.
To get help for IBS from a hypnotherapist, find one near you by using the NCH directory. But it is recommended you speak to your doctor first as the therapist will need to know what treatment you have received. Your hypnotherapist will need a detailed history of your condition and needs to know if you have had tests to rule out any other issues.