Has anyone on the bb here done hypnotherapy for IBS?

WebMD -

All Central Symptoms Improve
"All central IBS symptoms improved substantially from treatment in both studies. In conclusion, hypnosis improves IBS symptoms through reductions in psychological distress and somatization. Improvements were unrelated to changes in the physiological parameters measured."

Web MD, 1st Nov 2002



New York Times - Let the Mind Help Tame An Irritable Bowel

The brain has the ability to inhibit sensations from the gut. But, as Dr. Gerson put it, "I.B.S. patients tend to be hypervigilant — too aware of what is going on in their gut.” Through techniques like hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is possible to change how the brain perceives what is happening in the body.

In hypnotherapy, patients learn to visualize their colon as functioning more normally. In cognitive-behavioral therapy or short-term psychotherapy, patients can learn to change symptom-provoking beliefs, like thinking that their colon will always be abnormal or that a given circumstance will provoke symptoms.

In a British study of 204 patients in which more than two-thirds of them were initially helped by hypnotherapy, 81 percent of those maintained the improvement up to five years after the treatment. Learning to practice stress-reduction and relaxation techniques can be as helpful as learning which foods to avoid.

New York Times, Sep 2nd 2008


Research has consistently shown hypnotherapy to be an effective form of treatment for many individuals who suffer from IBS. Treatment effects include:

Decrease in abdominal pain

Reduction in diarrhea episodes

Reduction of chronic constipation

Decrease in visceral hypersensitivity

Positive effect on motility

Improved quality of life

Reduced doctor visits

Reduced use of medication

Decrease in depression and anxiety

Results are maintained long after treatment ends

Thanks Shawn,something to consider. i am looking into accupuncture for my Firo and IBS. Trying therapy now. I just am really scared and tired of all the med side effects. Im also trying the probiotics right now. Need a IBS support group here so I can get out of the house. My IBS is really controlling my life right now. I should say Physical Therapy. But I have to keep cancelling due to my IBS.

Hypnotherapy An Effective Treatment For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

ScienceDaily (Sep. 28, 2005) — Medics at The University of Manchester have discovered a way to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) using hypnotherapy.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050928081622.htm

Hypnotherapy and IBS

Hypnotherapy is an efficient and alternative treatment for helping those persons affected with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). So if you are suffering with IBS, hypnotherapy may be an alternative option for you.

Knowledge of Hypnotherapy can work wonders for your IBS. Applying this you can minimize the symptoms of IBS, improve your conditions and can start your life afresh.

Hypnotherapy is of several types. Gut directed therapy is used for the persons affected with IBS. The method of treatment was developed with those suffering with IBS. The success rate of ‘gut directed therapy’ is quite high. about 80% of the patients, who used this technique got recovered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Hypnotherapy is the technique that directly moves from nerve to the gut. This allows the muscles to relax. Nerves in the brain get messages and suggestions from hypnosis and make the persons relaxed. Thus a person suffering with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) makes come out from the problem.

The hypnotherapy was first used by a university hospital in 1984. While using this technique, university hospital founds that; hypnosis is more effective for treating persons affected with IBS than any other known medications or techniques. From then hypnosis is recognized an alternative method of improving the conditions to those affected with IBS.

The technique of hypnosis works in phased manner. Normally the treatment begins from recording and evaluating the symptoms of IBS. The medical history of a patient is taken into account. The type of pain through a person suffers and the severity of pain is also recorded.

After all this, the person affected with IBS will be taken for next step that includes hypnosis. The process takes about 6 to 12 weeks. The duration of treatment depends on several factors like how long your sessions of hypnosis are, since how long you are carrying the sickness and what is the level of severity of the sickness. The duration of treatment in a given session varies on several other factors like, the variations the specialist recommends and the choice of the affected person.

Thus after introduction of hypnosis, a person starts gaining control over symptoms and conditions. Hypnosis is not a technique for curing IBS, but it is the technique for improving the conditions of affected person. The person affected with IBS starts feeling better and controlling over situations after receiving Hypnosis. Hypnotherapy does not cause any harm or side effects to the recipient.

So if you are suffering with IBS you can choose for Hypnotherapy. By knowing technique and receiving the hypnosis, you can improve your conditions and make a come out from IBS. Hypnotherapy is one of the alternative techniques to help you.

http://www.health-care-information.org/diseases/ibs/hypnotherapy.html

I went to a hypnotherapist and didn't find it useful at all. It was relaxing at the time but even after many sessions I was still unable to stay relaxed in stressful situations. It's a personal choice though and everyone will respond different, but personally I don't recommend it.

Please follow me and my IBS experiences on:

http://i-have-ibs.blogspot.com/