Phone: 404 245-4805
email: bryan@bpHypnotherapy.com
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- Hypnosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder of the gastrointestinal
tract. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel functioning which includes
diarrhea, constipation, or an alternating between the two. It affects about 10-15% of the
U.S population and is much more common in women as in men. Most who suffer from
IBS have relatively mild symptoms, and many do not seek medical care. However, for
many others, the symptoms are severe and can cause considerable suffering, loss of
work, and negative lifestyle changes.
- Research has demonstrated that hypnosis can effect gastrointestinal functioning. For
example, through hypnosis one can slow down the propulsive movement of material
through the intestinal tract, and can increase or decrease acid secretion in the stomach,
to name just a few examples. Mental states clearly affect the way the gut behaves in
people with IBS. Although IBS has not been shown to be directly caused by stress, it is
well established from research that psychological stress increases the symptoms of IBS
in many people who have this disorder. If the mind can have such a powerful negative
influence on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, it would seem to make sense
that the mind could also be trained to have a positive or calming influence on the
intestines.
- The first formal research study on the use of hypnosis for relief of IBS symptoms was
published by Dr. Peter Whorwell in the Lancet, a British medical journal, in 1984. Since
then, there have been many more published research reports that have confirmed that
hypnosis is effective in relieving IBS symptoms. According to Dr. Olafur Palsson, a
leading researcher into the effects of hypnosis on IBS, the highlights of these reports
may be outlined as follows:
- Reported success rates range from approximately 70-95% in all studies with any
significant number of patients. - The improvement enjoyed from hypnotherapy often lasts at least two years after the end
of the sessions. - All major IBS symptoms improve through a program of hypnosis (abdominal pain,
diarrhea/constipation, and bloating) - In addition to effects on physical symptoms, a hypnotherapy program to relieve IBS
symptoms commonly improves psychological well-being and life functioning substantially
and can have long-term positive effects in reducing disability and health care costs and
improving the quality of life of IBS patients.
The IBS Relief Program
- Our program to help you to relieve and manage your IBS symptoms is a process
consisting of 6-12 sessions that take place over a period of 3-6 months, and is managed
in partnership with your physician. This program is modeled on one created by Melissa
Roth and is based on work done by Dr. Whorwell and Dr. Palsson. As we do not
diagnose, treat, or cure illness or disease, you must have a diagnosis for IBS from your
physician prior to working with us. Our service is to provide you with the information and
coaching that allow you to retrain the muscles and nerves of your gut to return to normal
function. This includes training in relaxation and stress management, gut related
suggestion therapy, how to lessen anxiety and improve self-esteem, as well as coaching
to assist in any necessary behavioral adjustments.
IBS is a disautonomic illness, a disfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The
reason for the disfunction can be mental, emotional, physical, or any combination of the
three. The autonomic nervous system is programmed by the subconscious mind in the
first few months of life. Since the subconscious mind set up the program to begin with, it
can be used to retrain the systems controlled by the autonomic nervous system to
function properly again. When the training is complete, the symptoms are relieved and
rarely return to the degree that was suffered prior to undertaking these sessions. This
program works with your subconscious mind to realign the muscles, nerves, and
systems of your body to return to their normal function. You can then enjoy the fullness
of life that you deserve.
Research References
- 1. Thompson WG, Heaton KW, Smyth GT, Smyth C. Irritable bowel syndrome: the view from general
practice. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1997;9:689-692.
2. Toner BB, Segal ZV, Emmott S, Myran D, Ali A, DiGasbarro I, Stuckless N. Cognitive-behavioral
group therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Group Psychother 1998 Apr;48(2):215-43
3. Greene B, Blanchard EB. Cognitive therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. J Consult Clin Psychol
1994;62:576-82.
4. Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe
refractory irritable bowel syndrome. The Lancet 1984;2:1232-4.
5. Whorwell PJ; Prior A; Colgan SM. Hypnotherapy in severe irritable bowel syndrome: further
experience. Gut 1987 Apr, 28:4, 423-5.
6. Palsson, OS, Burnett, CK, Meyer, K, and Whitehead, WE. Hypnosis treatment for irritable bowel
syndrome. Effects on symptoms, pain threshold and muscle tone. Gastroenterology 1997;112:A803.
7. Palsson, OS, Turner, MJ, Johnson, DA. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: Symptom
improvement and autonomic nervous system effects. Gastroenterology 2000;118(4): A174.
8. Beaugerie L, Burger AJ, Cadranel JF, Lamy P, Gendre JP, Le Quintrec F. Modulation of orocaecal
transit time by hypnosis. Gut 1991;32:393-394.
9. Klein KB, Spiegel D. Modulation of gastric acid secretion by hypnosis. Gastroenterology 1989;96:
1383-1387.
10. Trijsburg RW, van Knippenberg FC, Rijpma SE. Effects of psychological treatment on cancer
patients: a critical review. Psychosomatic Medicine 1992 Jul-Aug;54(4):489-517.
11. Colgan SM. , Faragher EB. , Whorwell PJ. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in relapse prevention of
duodenal ulceration. The Lancet 1988;1(8598):1299-300.
12. Calvert EL, Houghton LA, Cooper P, Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy is effective in the long-term
treatment of functional dyspepsia. Gastroenterology 2001;120(5):A115.
13. Gonsalkorale WM, Cooper P, Cruikshanks P, Miller V, Randles J, Whelan V, Houghton LA,
Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy for severe irritable bowel syndrome: Gender differences in response?
Gastroenterology 1999;116:A999.
14. Harvey RF, Hinton RA., Gunary RM, Barry RE. Individual and group hypnotherapy in treatment of
refractory irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet 1989;1:424-425.
15. Houghton LA, Heyman DJ, Whorwell PJ. Symptomatology, quality of life and economic features of
irritable bowel syndrome--the effect of hypnotherapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1996 Feb, 10:1, 91-5.
16. Houghton LA, Larder S, Lee R, Gonsalcorale WM, Whelan V, Randles J, Cooper P, Cruikshanks P,
Miller V, Whorwell PJ. Gut focused hypnotherapy normalises rectal hypersensitivity in patients with
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Gastroenterology 1999; 116: A1009.
17. Prior A, Colgan SM, Whorwell PJ. Changes in rectal sensitivity after hypnotherapy in patients with
irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 1990 Aug;31(8):896-8
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Phone: 404 245-4805
email: bryan@bpHypnotherapy.com