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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
How Hypnosis Can Help

Our program for IBS symptom alleviation is non-invasive and is designed to be used in conjunction with your physicians treatment regime. It is a multi-session program which focuses on alleviating symptoms of chronic diarrhea and/or constipation, easing gut pain, bloating, gas, spasms, boosting the immune system, releasing stress, anxiety, tension and other troublesome symptoms

In 1958 hypnosis was recognized and approved by The American Medical Association. Hypnosis is an additional tool in your healing/recovery tool chest.

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) also know as spastic colon, colitis, or nervous stomach is a baffling and complex set of gastrointestinal symptoms that affects 15% to 20% of the population (approximately 20 million people). It is characterized by intermittent abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhea, a combination of both constipation and diarrhea, pain and bloating. Some IBS patients report having both constipation and diarrhea in the same day. Two thirds of the patients are women. It is the second most cited reason for missed work days. It accounts for approximately half of all visits to gastroenterologists. 

“Hypnosis should be the treatment of choice for all severe cases of IBS.”
Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, National Women’s Health Network,
Washington, D.C.

While the causes of IBS are not known, we know that people with IBS have changes in the way sensations are perceived in the colon. There are some anatomical changes in the lining of the colon and to the nervous system of the colon. What causes these changes is unknown. Symptoms range in severity from and occasional mild episode to a debilitating, life-altering illness which prevents the individual from working or from functioning normally. The symptoms are exacerbated by stress, changes in diet and changes in daily routine, among many other things. Until recently, IBS was thought to be simply a “nervous” disorder and not taken as seriously as it deserved. While IBS will not kill you, it is far more than just a nuisance.

Traditional treatment consists of fiber therapy, antispasmodic medication and antidepressants. It is important to note that only 25% of the people who suffer with IBS symptoms respond to traditional treatments. However, the evidence is overwhelming that IBS symptoms do respond to hypnosis. Not only do they respond, but they respond dramatically! The research evidence to support this is so dramatic and so overwhelmingly that Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, chair of the National Women’s Health Network in Washington, D.C. says that hypnosis should be the treatment of choice for all severe cases of IBS.

Typical sessions include:

      • Alleviating symptoms of Diarrhea and Constipation
      • Education on gut function
      • Pain Relief
      • Overcoming Anxiety and Depression
      • Boosting Immune System
      • Stress Reduction
      • Maintaining a Healthy Balanced Life Style
      • Reprogramming the Autonomic Nervous System

 

The evidence is overwhelming that Hypnotherapy produces dramatic results in improvement in symptoms for over 80% of IBS sufferers.