Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Suffering from something like IBS can be debilitating, embarrassing and painful. One in five people suffer with it in the United Kingdom.
Of course, there can be gut sensitivity which can cause IBS symptoms - so it's always worth asking your GP to see a dietician who can help you eliminate probable food sensitivities or intolerances.
Research pioneered by Professor Whorwell, a gastroenterologist at Wythenshawe Hospital, shows that hypnotherapy can make significant contribution to the treatment of IBS and now the NHS recommends hypnotherapy when stress is a major contributing factor to someone's IBS flares, they are called flares because you can go weeks without a problem and then "boom" you can't get off the loo... it may take a while to figure out exactly what's causing it.
The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome vary from person to person and can include:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort.
- Abdominal contractions, spasms or cramps.
- Diarrhoea.
- Constipation.
- Bloating.
- Nausea.
- Excess wind.
- Vomiting.
- Indigestion.
Hypnotherapy helps by addressing stress levels, re-teaching you to relax and giving your subconscious a boost with suggestions to allow smooth movement through the bowel, whether you suffer with constipation or diarrhea associated with IBS, suggesting smooth movements of the bowel helps. An over stimulated bowel will "rush" waste through causing cramp like pain, slow movement through the bowel with constipation can also cause pain as the bowel cramps trying to move the waste through, relaxation, breathing techniques and visualisation can really help with any of these problems.