IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
I Feel Awful!
IBS is kind of a “garbage can” diagnosis in that it usually is the diagnosis given by your physician after they have ruled everything else out and still have no idea what is wrong.
After the diagnosis, you were probably given a list of things to eat and not eat, told to take fiber powder or pills, and may be given an antispasmodic and/or antidepressant medication.
And maybe you are reading this after you have decided the diet is boring, the fiber powder is awful, and the pills make you sleepy. And even though you followed the doctor’s directions – you are still suffering.
One website writes:
“While the standard medical methods are of some help to the majority of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), up to half of IBS sufferers are dissatisfied with the results of standard treatment and explore complementary and alternative treatments such as hypnotherapy.”
Hypnosis might be the key you are looking for!
What is IBS?
IBS has many names it may go by:
- Spastic Colon
- Nervous Stomach
- Irritable Stomach
- Rotten Gut
IBS is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea and/or Constipation (Diarrhea is the most common complaint)
- Gut Pain
- Bloating and Gas
- Spasms that can have you doubled over in pain
IBS affects up to 35 Million people in the United States and it costs us through:
- Missed or reduced work days
- Job loss
- Loss of social life
- Loss of daily function
- Depression and Anxiety
- IBS is NOT life threatening, but is life changing.
What Causes IBS?
It is unknown what actually “causes” IBS, but it seems that most patients first experience symptoms before the age of 35.
Muscles in the colon are more reactive in IBS patients, which may be due to an increase in nerve endings in those with IBS.
Some symptoms may be caused by poor intestinal absorption of certain carbohydrates (sugars) found in milk, non-fermented cheese, fruit, diet foods, gum, products containing sorbital and carbonated beverages. Eating certain fats, foods with artificial dyes, alcohol and caffeine may make symptoms worse.
Other issues may exacerbate the symptoms such as seasonal allergies, menstruation, stress, and overgrowth of yeast in the system.
Hypnosis and IBS
It might be called the “magic cure” because it really works!
A study started in 1996 has found that this particular method of hypnosis has proven that:
- 86% of clients who finish the sessions became totally symptom free and the symptoms never returned.
- 94% of the clients received 50% reduction of symptoms and their symptom relief continued well after the sessions concluded.
A study found that hypnosis affected the following gut changes:
- Material passed through the GI tract from the mouth to the first part of the colon lengthened from 93 to 133 minutes.
- It decreases the muscle movements in the stomach.
- The emotional state of happiness under hypnosis gastric muscle activity is suppressed. (The opposite is also true – if emotions of anger are induced under hypnosis – gastric muscle activity increased.)
- When imagery of eating a delicious meal was introduced under hypnosis, gastric acid secretion increased by 89%. (Gastric acid secretion can also be decreased through hypnotic instruction).
There has been much written and documented regarding the amazing response attained using hypnosis for IBS symptoms.
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/gastrointestinal/hypnosis-for-ibs/
https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/kzxm9m/is-hypnosis-good-for-ibs-symptoms
https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/alternative-complementary-treatment/hypnotherapy/
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/hypnosis-ibs/
How Many Sessions Does it Take?
IBS didn’t start overnight and it probably will not go away overnight. It does take time. It generally takes 6-8 sessions held every two weeks. Each session will include an MP3 recording, which you will listen to every day (preferably in the morning).
You must be ready to be a fully participating member of your team to end your IBS.
This means:
- No less than 6 sessions,
- No less than every 2 weeks (plus or minus a couple of days), and
- Listen every day to your MP3 recording.
- Charting your symptoms
- Maybe keeping a food journal
- Exercising
- Eating healthy foods
Are you ready to change your life from suffering from IBS to regaining control of your body? Great! Let’s meet for a free Discovery Session and find out if hypnosis is right for you.
Follow me on social media