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Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be helped by hypnosis

Posted November 2003

Recent research at Manchester's Withington Hospital has confirmed that hypnotherapy can offer long-term benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.

Nearly 20 years ago studies at the University Hospital of South Manchester by Dr P J Whorwell indicated that Gut Directed Hypnotherapy (GRH) could substantially reduce the symptoms of IBS.

Similar studies, such as those of Elizabeth Taylor who now runs Holistic Resources and established the Register of Approved Gastrointestinal Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists, produced similar findings.

Now the Withington study of more than 200 patients with IBS showed that hypnotherapy helped relieve the cramping, bloating and diarrhea or constipation caused by the syndrome for five years or more.

Dr Wendy Gonsalkorale, who headed the study, said it had proved "a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome."

Patients who underwent hypnosis reported an improvement in symptoms, a decrease in anxiety and depression, and a better quality of life and said they took fewer drugs and saw their doctor less frequently after the treatment.

It is frequently stressed that IBS is not a disease but a functional disorder in which the nerves and the muscles of the bowel are extra sensitive.

Estimates suggest that in the United Kingdom between 10 and 20 per cent of the population are affected at some point with symptoms ranging from very mild to severe.

Dr Gonsalkorale and her team questioned the patients about their symptoms and quality of life before and immediately after 12 hypnotherapy sessions – each lasting an hour – then continued to monitor them for up to six years afterward.

It was found that 71 percent of patients responded well to the treatment and for most IBS sufferers the positive effects did not diminish after time.

The precise causes of IBS are not known but doctors believe a variety of things including food, exercise, hormones and stress may trigger the symptoms.

"There seem to be alterations in the muscle activity of the gut and its sensitivity," said Dr Gonsalkorale.

She said hypnotherapy affects how the brain talks to the body through impulses in the nerves, hormones and chemicals called neuropeptides.

"Using hypnosis you can very specifically influence physiological mechanisms in the body. It can be very specific and targeted," added Dr Gonsalkorale.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be helped by hypnosis
Posted November 2003

Recent research at Manchester's Withington Hospital has confirmed that hypnotherapy can offer long-term benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Nearly 20 years ago studies at the University Hospital of South Manchester by Dr P J Whorwell indicated that Gut Directed Hypnotherapy (GRH) could substantially reduce the symptoms of IBS. Similar studies, such as those of Elizabeth Taylor who now runs Holistic Resources and established the Register of Approved Gastrointestinal Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists, produced similar findings. Now the Withington study of more than 200 patients with IBS showed that hypnotherapy helped relieve the cramping, bloating and diarrhea or constipation caused by the syndrome for five years or more. Dr Wendy Gonsalkorale, who headed the study, said it had proved "a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome." Patients who underwent hypnosis reported an improvement in symptoms, a decrease in anxiety and depression, and a better quality of life and said they took fewer drugs and saw their doctor less frequently after the treatment. It is frequently stressed that IBS is not a disease but a functional disorder in which the nerves and the muscles of the bowel are extra sensitive. Estimates suggest that in the United Kingdom between 10 and 20 per cent of the population are affected at some point with symptoms ranging from very mild to severe. Dr Gonsalkorale and her team questioned the patients about their symptoms and quality of life before and immediately after 12 hypnotherapy sessions – each lasting an hour – then continued to monitor them for up to six years afterward. It was found that 71 percent of patients responded well to the treatment and for most IBS sufferers the positive effects did not diminish after time. The precise causes of IBS are not known but doctors believe a variety of things including food, exercise, hormones and stress may trigger the symptoms. "There seem to be alterations in the muscle activity of the gut and its sensitivity," said Dr Gonsalkorale. She said hypnotherapy affects how the brain talks to the body through impulses in the nerves, hormones and chemicals called neuropeptides. "Using hypnosis you can very specifically influence physiological mechanisms in the body. It can be very specific and targeted," added Dr Gonsalkorale.