Healing your gut: How hypnosis can help you alleviate IBS Symptoms

Let’s face it—living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells. One minute, you’re fine, and the next, your gut has a mind of its own, throwing your entire day off course. But what if I told you there’s a way to bring the body back into harmony?

As someone who has spent over a decade teaching yoga and now working as a Hypnotherapist, my biggest insight is this: never underestimate the incredible power of the mind.

By harnessing the benefits of gut-directed hypnosis, you can tap into your mind’s astonishing and scientifically supported ability to heal and finally find relief from the rollercoaster of IBS.

First things first: What is IBS?

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a common but often misunderstood condition that affects approximately one in eight people worldwide.

It’s a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that it affects how your gut works without causing any visible damage to your digestive system.

The exact cause of IBS is still a bit of a mystery, but it’s believed to be linked to a combination of gut-brain interaction, changes in gut motility, and increased sensitivity to pain.

Essentially, IBS is like a miscommunication between your brain and your gut—a frustrating situation, leading to symptoms like pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.

The good news: IBS is not a dangerous disorder and won’t develop into a more serious disease because it doesn’t involve structural problems, lesions, or clear biochemical abnormalities. Still, it’s important to have your symptoms diagnosed by a doctor.

IBS Symptoms: Do I Have IBS?

Recognizing IBS can be tricky because the symptoms vary so much from person to person. However, here are some common signs that might suggest you’re dealing with IBS:

Abdominal pain: Often described as cramping, this pain is typically relieved after a bowel movement.
Abnormal bowel habits: This can include diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between the two.
Bloating and distension: A feeling of fullness and swelling in the abdomen.
Excessive gas can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, affecting social interactions.
Borborygmi: Audible gurgling or rumbling sounds from the gut.
Non-colonic symptoms: These may include anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue, which can be just as debilitating as the physical symptoms.

If these symptoms sound all too familiar, it’s important to talk to your doctor to rule out other conditions and confirm whether IBS is the culprit.

If IBS is indeed to blame, I invite you to get in touch with me. One of the first questions we’ll explore together is this: If I had a magic wand, which symptom would you want to be free from?

Every client answers differently, but interestingly, it’s often the non-colonic symptoms that are the most distressing.

It might not be the abdominal pain that affects you the most, but rather the constant lethargy, tiredness, or even pain during intercourse, particularly for women. These symptoms can significantly impact the quality of your life, and addressing them is a key focus of our sessions.

IBS Treatment: What Are My Options?

If you’ve been dealing with IBS, you’ve probably tried a few different treatments. Dietary changes, like following a low FODMAP diet (which targets fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides, as well as polyols found in many fruits and vegetables), can help reduce symptoms for some people.

Medications are also an option, from antispasmodics to help with pain, to laxatives or anti-diarrheal drugs, depending on your symptoms. In some cases, doctors may even prescribe antidepressants due to the significant link between the gut and the brain.

However these treatments often only address the symptoms, not the root cause. And it’s worth considering whether you want to rely on them long-term.

This is where hypnosis comes in. Unlike other treatments, it helps re-train your gut and mind to communicate more effectively, addressing one of the core issues of IBS.

Can Hypnosis Cure IBS?

You might think of hypnosis as something you’d see at a magic show, but it’s a powerful therapeutic tool, especially for managing IBS. Gut-directed hypnosis works by leveraging the strong connection between your brain and gut.

During a session, you’re guided into a deeply relaxed state, where your conscious and unconscious mind become more aligned and receptive to positive suggestions. These suggestions can help reduce gut sensitivity, change the perception of pain, and calm the overactive stress responses that often exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Curious how this works? Your gut has its own nervous system, called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which is packed with neurons and neurotransmitters similar to those in your brain. This means the gut can be influenced by what you think and feel in a way that was once underestimated. At the same time, your gut can send signals back to your brain.

When combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy has been shown to be especially effective at reducing anxiety and managing pain. This approach is backed by research in extensive clinical research and is recommended by major medical associations. (see notes below)

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is currently gaining attention on social media, which might make you a bit sceptical. However, if this approach resonates with you, it’s worth exploring. This innovative treatment could be the key to managing your IBS more effectively, helping you focus on living your life to the fullest.

What to Expect from an IBS Hypnosis Program with Me

Are you thinking about trying hypnosis for IBS? Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect when you work with me:

Initial Consultation: We’ll start with a conversation about your IBS journey—what you’ve tried, what’s worked, and where you’re still struggling. This helps us tailor the program to your specific needs. If everything looks good, we might dive into your first hypnosis session right away, or at the latest by our second meeting. The first session usually lasts about 2 hours, while follow-ups are typically 1 to 1.5 hours.

Hypnosis Sessions: Each session is designed to help you relax deeply. I’ll guide you through visualizations and suggestive techniques that focus on improving the communication between your brain and gut. Each session combines CBT techniques, mindfulness exercises, and various forms of hypnosis.

At-Home Practice: You’ll receive recordings of the sessions to practice at home. Consistency is key, so regular practice helps reinforce the positive changes. You’ll build a valuable library of audio recordings and exercises that can benefit various aspects of your life.

Program Duration: Most people benefit from around 6 sessions, spaced out weekly or bi-weekly. I recommend starting with weekly sessions to gain momentum and then extending to 2-week meet-ups to be able to implement what you are learning into your daily life. However, everyone’s journey is unique, so we’ll adjust as needed.

Ongoing Support: The goal is long-term relief, so I’ll be here to support you even after the sessions end. Whether you need a follow-up session or just some advice, I’ve got your back.

I offer both in-person and online sessions. (Research by Professor Peter Whorwell at Manchester University, a leading expert in IBS, shows that online hypnotherapy can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions.)

Important Note: Before we start, I’ll need confirmation from your GP that IBS is your diagnosis and that your symptoms don’t indicate a more serious condition.

Ready to tackle your IBS?

Let’s work together to calm the storm inside and find the peace you deserve. I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to discuss how hypnosis can help you. Take the first step toward relief today.

Final Thoughts

If this article resonated with you, please share it with someone who might also benefit from it. IBS doesn’t have to define our lives. Let’s explore new paths to well-being through the power of the mind.

All my love,

Agnes

(Additional notes):

– In the United States hypnotherapy for IBS is listed as a treatment for IBS on the highly regarded Empirically Validated Treatments List (Chambless et al.) – which is roughly equivalent to the NICE guidelines in the UK.

– The extensive body of empirical work has gained psychological interventions the status of recommended therapy options for certain IBS cases by the two main membership organisations in gastroenterology in the United States: The American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology.

– In numerous published trials over the last three decades, especially CBT and hypnosis have consistently been shown to be efficacious in improving IBS Symptoms ( Palsson & Whitehead, 2013).

– The results of extensive trials of hypnosis treatments for IBS (and cognitive behavioural therapy) confirm that this is not only possible but that it can be done with a high rate of success.

– One study reassessed participants annually and they found that 81 % of patients maintained their treatment gains fully for up to five years.

– In February 2008 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK (NICE), which gives guidance to the NHS on effective treatments, published guidance for GPs and consultants saying:

“Referral for psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT], hypnotherapy and/or psychological therapy) should be considered for people with IBS who do not respond to pharmacological treatments after 12 months”.