Irritable Bowel Syndrome (I.B.S) affects one in four people at some time in their life.
In fact, 50% of patients referred to Gastroenterologists are diagnosed with I.B.S.(4)

I.B.S is characterised by on-going constipation and/or diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, etc. and although debilitating, the symptoms are not life threatening and do not lead to bowel cancer or any other serious disease.

This digestive disorder can occur at any age, but is most frequent and severe in women aged 20-50.

I.B.S does not only affect people physically, but emotionally and mentally too. Having I.B.S can mean cancelling holidays, taking time off work, having to plan shopping trips around visits to the toilet, or places that have public conveniences etc. etc.

The cause has yet to be established and as far as the medical profession is concerned there is no known “cure”.

Contributory factors are:

• Stress
  
  
• Prolonged use of antibiotics (which affect the “friendly” bacteria that help digestion
  and live naturally in our gut) and / or severe infection of the gut
  
  
• Food intolerance (particularly to dairy produce or Lactose)

Recommended treatments include: change to diet, antispasmodic medication and alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy and aromatherapy (1)

It has recently been proven that clinical hypnotherapy is the best way to treat I.B.S. (2) Not just by dealing with underlying stress but because there is a strong mind-body link. (4)

• Hypnotherapy is tried and tested (it has been used with success for over 20 years for the treatment of IBS) (4)
  
  
• It helps 80% of people significantly improve symptoms (3)
  
  
• After the hypnotherapy programme, many people find they need less medication, and that medications can be reduced or discontinued (with the knowledge and consent of the prescribing doctor or consultant) (4)
  
  
• Hypnotherapy is a natural, non-invasive, choice of treatment
  
  
• It is safe – does not cause any harm or have any unpleasant side effects
  
  
• It is more cost effective (for doctors and patients) than taking combinations of medications for years and years (and medications have to be reviewed and changed every so often as our bodies become used to them and their effectiveness decreases)

Following a clinical interview, your I.B.S programme will be designed and tailored for you - everybody is different as symptoms vary from person to person and even week to week. There will be a need for commitment from you to take time to listen to some recordings between sessions in conjunction to the work that is done one to one with you at the sessions. This programme consists of 5 - 6 sessions usually over twelve weeks.

Food / diet will also be discussed on clinical interview – research has shown that certain foods and drinks can make IBS worse, and that certain natural mineral supplements can help to soothe and heal the gut lining. (Taking any supplement is at your discretion and entirely optional)

This holistic, natural and gentle Hypnotherapy programme is recommended to people who have been diagnosed with IBS (whether newly diagnosed, or long term sufferers).

Using hypnotherapy has really helped many clients to feel significantly better, physically, mentally and emotionally.(4)

Contact us to book a consultation to learn in more detail how this can help you.

REFERENCES:

1. Living With I.B.S. Real Health. Boots the Chemist Christmas Magazine November 2001.
   Vidakovik Vukic, Dept of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam. Concluded “Hypnpotherapy is valuable in the treatment of I.B.S.” 24 out of 27 patients showed a clear improvement with a gut targetted method of hypnosis.
2. Dr.P.Whorwell .Consultant Gastroenterologist at The Wittington Hospital Manchester. October 2001.
3. Mahoney, M .www.ibs-register.com