Does hypnotherapy work for IBS?

If you're one of the millions who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you know just how debilitating it can be. This article will cover the causes and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and answer the question does hypnotherapy work for IBS?

We all experience stress at some time in our lives. If it happens to be particularly bad at one time, we may suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. This common condition is said to have affected up to one in four people. 

This highly unpleasant disorder can be both embarrassing and frustrating. 

Fortunately, there are treatments available to alleviate IBS symptoms. One therapy which has recently been gaining attention is hypnotherapy. How does hypnotherapy work for IBS?

Hypnotherapy works by using relaxation techniques to help the patient enter a relaxed, trance-like state. During this state, the therapist can gain access to their subconscious mind and work to reduce stress levels or change negative thought patterns.

Symptoms of IBS

  • abdominal pain

  • discomfort

  • spasms  

  • cramps

  • bloating

  • swelling

  • constipation

  • diarrhoea

  • wind 

  • nausea 

Symptoms of IBS can leave you feeling quite helpless and overwhelmed. If you're suffering from IBS, you might have difficulty going about your everyday activities due to the intensity of the symptoms. 

Although living with IBS can be daunting, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms. In a moment, we will look at how does hypnotherapy work for IBS?

What causes IBS?

There are many theories about what causes IBS. One view is that IBS may be caused by the brain becoming oversensitive to messages it receives from the gut.

This means that the brain can interpret even mild indigestion as severe abdominal pain. This over-sensitivity to changing gut conditions appears to be made worse by stress, as flare-ups of IBS often happen after stressful events.

Everyday things that can trigger an IBS episode include alcohol, processed snacks, fizzy drinks and fatty or fried foods. 

While it is unclear if anxiety triggers IBS or IBS triggers anxiety, there is strong evidence to suggest a correlation between the two. 

As such, treating both psychological stresses as well as physical symptoms should form a significant part of any plan for managing IBS

IBS is a stress-sensitive condition that a wide range of factors can trigger. People with IBS need to identify their triggers and manage them effectively to minimise symptoms and improve their quality of life.

So how does hypnotherapy work for IBS?

Hypnotherapy is a treatment that has been proven beneficial for people with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). 

Multiple, well-controlled studies from organisations such as Monash University, they looked how does hypnotherapy work for IBS.? They discovered hypnotherapy successfully improved gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS sufferers by 70-80%, with effects maintained for the long-term. 

People have also reported that hypnotherapy reduces tension, stress and anxiety and increases positive emotions and overall quality of life. 

Hypnotherapy works so well for IBS because it relaxes the body's nervous system, allowing individuals to develop new habits and healthy behaviours to manage their condition better. 

As such, hypnotherapy can provide a good option for those looking for relief from their physical and psychological IBS symptoms.

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from IBS, hypnotherapy may be a treatment option that can help improve your quality of life. In multiple well-controlled studies, hypnotherapy has shown to be an effective treatment for IBS.

In addition, hypnotherapy can help reduce stress and tension while increasing positive emotions. Therefore, if you are looking for an effective way to manage your IBS symptoms, consider seeking the support of a certified hypnotherapist. 

Conclusion

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment option for people with IBS. It can help reduce physical symptoms, alleviate psychological distress and improve the overall quality of life. If you suffer from IBS, hypnotherapy may be the answer you are looking for.

Mentioned sources

1) Monash University; Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

luke martin