I have seen many clients over the years suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I was a surprised as you might be to learn of the connection between IBS and hypnosis. I decided to pursue certification in this specialty because of the staggering positive research supporting hypnosis as the #1 symptom relief option.
The gastroenterology medical journal, “Gut” published a study in 2003 to determine if IBS relief with hypnosis lasts. They surveyed 204 patients over a 5 year period who received 6 IBS specific hypnosis sessions and also listened to sessions daily at home for 3 months.
After 5 years 72% maintained their improvement over time and 19% claimed that deterioration of symptoms had only been slight.
I share this study to all of my clients to help them understand how powerful hypnosis is to create lasting positive change no matter what their goal. It’s all about pattern of thought; in life we follow the path of what we think about most. Over time problem patterns can become rooted, locked in place.
Routine hypnosis brain-training can even offer lasting relief from the extreme symptoms such IBS, chronic pain, stress and worry. It can instantly change ones perspective from ongoing struggle to the anticipation of success. It’s easy to do, it feels good, and you can do it anytime you want.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
The effect of hypnosis on clients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rapid and lasting. In fact, research bears this out, which is why I decided to specialize in this form of hypnotherapy.
The first wave of symptom relief is instant relaxation. IBS’ers are always on guard, they anticipate trouble everyday. They worry about public bathroom availability and whether they can keep their embarrassing secret from their friends. The never ending anticipation of symptoms actually exacerbates the condition and manifests what they worry about, thoughts become things.
My first time IBS clients obviously don’t really know me, have never been to my office, and know nothing about hypnosis but still experience tremendous relief after their first session. Hypnosis seems to have a way of hitting the reset button.
These clients also appear very different at the conclusion of a session, they are calm and happy. For the first time they experience what it is like to be themselves without the weight of IBS. That disconnect occurs on session one and with each visit the distance between themselves and their symptomatic past increases.
Clients also reinforce the new foundation of relief by listening to sessions daily at home. The repetition of symptoms over the years created the chronic pattern of misery, so we take the same approach with the solution and it woks consistently well.
Paul Gustafson, R.N., C.H. has been featured on WBZ radio, hosts TV show Healthy Hypnosis, is an Angie’s List ‘Super Service’ provider. Check out his in-office IBS Relief program. Also available as MP3 download.
Contact Paul for free consultation: 888-290-3972 or info@burlingtonhypnosis.com and visit Burlington Hypnosis.
As a Registered Nurse, my focus has always leaned more to the medical side of hypnosis. I prefer helping individuals with chronic anxiety, stress, and pain conditions which is why I decided to become an irritable bowel syndrome specialist. IBS is a chronic gastro-intestinal condition (GI) with no known cause or cure.
Symptoms include any one or a combination of the following: diarrhea, constipation, cramping, gas, pain, or bloating. Symptoms usually run in cycles lasting for days, months, or years. IBS making its victims feel like prisoners in their own home.
IBS affects 35 million Americans, 4 of 5 are women, and it is more prevalent than asthma, diabetes, acid reflux and depression combined. There are likely millions who never pursue treatment due to embarrassment. 10% of all primary care physician visits are IBS related. It is the 2nd leading cause for employee absenteeism and costs the US 8 billion dollars/year.
Diagnosing IBS is a process of exclusion which means a physician needs to rule out conditions such as lactose intolerance, Chron’s disease, bacterial infections, parasites, dumping syndrome, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac and gallbladder disease before a diagnosis of IBS can be determined.
The onset of symptoms ranges between the ages of 20-29 in adults and 9-11 in children. Onset of symptoms can sometimes be traced back to a traumatic event, illness, injury, or accident. Some clients just begin having symptoms early in life for no apparent reason at all. IBS is also known to be familial. Many IBS sufferers go through life with no idea of what normal gastro-intestinal function is like.
Symptoms can also be aggravated by stress, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, foods high in animal or vegetable fat, beverages containing dyes, artificial sweeteners, food or medication sensitivities or hormone fluctuation but none are the cause.
Traditional medical intervention includes high fiber diets, antispasmodics to relieve cramping and spasms; antidepressants to relieve the emotional burden and antidiarrhea medication. Research indicates that this approach offers symptom relief to only 25%. Because IBS is not life threatening, is not a precursor to acute illness and is undetectable with diagnostic equipment, sufferers are usually told they have to live with it.
Hypnosis stands alone as the most significant long-term symptom solution for IBS which is why I chose to specialize in it. IBS hypnosis has been researched for over 20 years and the results are consistently positive. The success rate of hypnosis relieving IBS symptoms ranges from 70-95% and relief is at least two years in duration.
The largest study to date followed 250 IBS clients who were treated with 12 hypnosis sessions over a three month period and they also listened to recorded sessions at home. The conclusions showed dramatic improvement in all IBS symptoms. The average reduction in symptoms was more than 50% as well as increased quality of life and relief from anxiety and depression. (Gonsalkorale, WM., 2002)
Another study compared 25 severe IBS clients treated with hypnosis to 25 patients with similar symptom severity treated with other methods. The hypnosis group showed that in addition to significant IBS symptom improvement participants had fewer MD visits, lost less work time, and rated an improved quality of life. Hypnosis clients unable to work before treatment went back to work afterwards. The study shows the economic benefits and improved health-related quality of life. (Houghton, LA., 1996)
My IBS program involves four gut-specific hypnosis sessions spread out over the course of a three month time period. My clients daily rate all of their symptoms on a scale of one to ten, so we can objectively track their progress. To give you an idea of how effective IBS hypnosis is the average combined symptom rating at the beginning of treatment is 8/10, after 6 sessions it is 3/10
Most IBS clients have suffered with their symptoms for decades, but after a few short months they learn to create peaceful comfort from within. With the help of hypnosis they are able to replace anticipatory anxiety with the expectation of relief. When an individual knows they can control how they feel with their thoughts all bets are off in terms of how long lasting the relief can last.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
