IBS is a very common and distressing gastrointestinal disorder mainly in women. The symptoms include discomfort and bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea and/or constipation. Nausea, fatigue, backache, increased urinary frequency and headaches are also common. Although nobody knows the exact causes of IBS, anxiety, stress and certain foods can trigger an episode. Some scientists hypothesize that there is miscommunication between the brain and the gut and that digestive functioning is therefore out of sync in the person’s system.

Although many sufferers use medications such as laxatives, anti-diarrhea agents and other drug aids, these remedies can have significant side effects and don’t cure the underlying condition.

A number of studies suggest that hypnotherapy in the form of breathing, relaxation, specific suggestions to gut and brain, visual imagery and self-talk can have significant long term results and help fix the brain-gut imbalance. A review of six studies on IBS found that good results were achieved in 52-87 percent of the participants. (Consumer Reports Health News Letter, October 1966).

I have used hypnotherapy successfully in my practice for a number of years and find that it can have a major positive impact in many cases of IBS. If you would like further information about how this technique can be used, please contact me.