Successful treatment for IBS with Hypnotherapy
Professor Whorwell at Wythenshawe Hospital has undertaken a number of studies using hypnotherapy or gut-directed therapy for the treatment of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) showing extremely good results. He favours creative visualisation which means getting the client to imagine their gut as a calm even-flowing river with little sail boats that can successfully navigate the waters. I like this method because it is easy to teach my clients self hypnosis so they can do this for themselves at home. I also find it helpful to explore the positive intention of the symptoms which can highlight the root of the problem and reveal the underlying cause to the sufferer. I have known a client reduce the number of days they work or change jobs only to find they feel so much happier and symptom free of gut related problems.*
While diet can have some bearing on the problem it would seem that in the main, the cause is strongly linked to stress. For some eating fruit before a meal rather than after helps and reducing fibre because for some, it exacerbates the problem rather than helps. All in all helping my clients deal with stress more effectively is key to overcoming gut related problems.
*Results may vary from individual to individual