The ideas of treating IBS with hypnotherapy has been around for decades with serious medical research starting in the 1980s. Early research by Professor Peter Whorwell At the University Hospital of South Manchester was very positive. This led to the development of internationally recognised approach, termed ‘Gut-focused’ or ‘Gut-directed’ hypnotherapy (GDH). So, what is Gut-directed hypnotherapy?
Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH)
There are a distinct set of features to GDH, which include:
- Imagery – This is used primarily to encourage regularity in the digestion, and to encourage the awareness of healing within the digestive system.
- Direct suggestion – Suggestions are used to encourage digestive calmness, regularity and enhance the perception of the strength and durability of the digestive track.
- Physical sensation counter conditioning – This is used to moderate the experience of digestive discomfort and pain.
- Systematic desensitisation – This is used to help reduce anxiety around agreed upon some foods.
- Multiple treatment sessions – Typically 6-12
- Sessions should be as close to one per week as possible.
- Hypnotic recordings – These are used to support deeper hypnotic learnings and as ongoing support after formal therapy has concluded.
Hypnotherapy for IBS – Does it work?
Yes! Hypnotherapy for IBS is one of the most well researched areas of hypnotherapy which allows us to say conclusively that it does work, for most people. So, who does it work for:
- People who have received a diagnosis of IBS by either their GP or from a specialist.
- Studies suggest approximately 75-80% of those people with a diagnosis of IBS will benefit from hypnotherapy.
- People who benefit from hypnotherapy for IBS tend to notice changes after 3-5 sessions.
- People who do 8-12 sessions tend to experience the most benefit.
- Benefits tend to grow over time, even after therapy has finished. Research has found that benefits can continue to grow over several years.
Why does it work?
Several ways in which hypnotherapy for IBS may create the changes it does have been proposed, the main two currently are:
- Perceptual changes – Hypnotherapy creates changes in the levels of discomfort and pain experienced the person with IBS. Less pain and discomfort for many is benefit enough, but there is a secondary positive impact. With a reduced burden of pain/discomfort the person with IBS can be less tense. This means that their digestion is now less disrupted by stress and adrenaline. This results over time in a general calming and balancing of the digestion.
- Re-reregulation of the gut-brain – Reduced stress both in life and specifically around symptoms and food triggers reduces disruption of digestion through by the physical constriction. With the digestion less disrupted it has the chance to re-regulate.
Most likely both contribute to beneficial change.
For a more detailed and academic exploration if these topics see chapter 1 of thesis.
The Author
Dr Matt Krouwel is a hypnotherapist and health scientist with PhD in hypnotherapy for IBS. He is a member of both the BSCH and NCH.
