Hypnosis for IBS
How Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Calms IBS Spasms: The Science & The Fast-Track Solution
Living with IBS can be exhausting. Not just because the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and unpredicatable, but can also affect confidence, your feelings about food, work, travel and just living day-to-day.
I base my treatment process on the HypnoIBS® protocol, adapted to the person in front of me because the experiences of IBS and other Gut issues are personal and idiosyncratic.
This a calm, practical, and evidence-based approach to support the gut-brain connection, helping you feel more at one with your body, and regain agency over your own wellbeing.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a clinically validated approach that targets the gut-brain axis. By placing the nervous system into a relaxed state, targeted suggestions help modulate hypersensitive visceral nerves, calming intestinal motility and reducing cramping, bloating, and distress. Changing your physical diet may not always be enough because your nervous system is still pulling the strings in the background.
The Gut Brain Axis and why it reacts
There are around 500 million neurons lining the Gastro-intestinal track. This is the "Enteric Nervous System" connected to the brain via the Vagus Nerve, the fibre-optic speed two-way channel allowing communication between the two "brains".
When stress or sensitivity hits the old brain (Amygdala) sends near instantaneous signals of fight-or-flight to the gut, that responds to the signal to prepare for either case - with hyper-motility (diarrhea / cramping) or hypo-motility (Constipation / Bloating)
There are two areas where hypnosis can help here. The first its slowing down or interrupting the automatic fight-response so alternative signals can replace it. The second area is by giving you new automatic responses that calm down that sympathetic nervous system arousal. Hypnosis can calm that physical response.
This is not magic. For the past 60 years multiple control-based studies have shown the effect of the mind-body connection (See Langer), and there is very strong evidence that hypnosis can significantly improve IBS symptoms.
That said, this blog is for educational purposes and not as a replacement for clinical treatment. Ensure that you have a clinician check for all the possible causes of your discomfort. I do not treat clients for IBS unless they have been cleared to do so by a clinician first.
Scientific Studies proves hypnotic efficacy
The Manchester Protocol pioneered by Professor Peter Whorwell showed a 70%+ response rate for IBS symptom reduction through hypnosis.
Reducing pain perception in the gut - lower visceral hypersensitivity
Smoothing muscle contractions and normalising motility.
Breaking the feedback-loop of fear triggered flare ups triggering more fear and more flare ups.
An example of what to do in the moment a flare up starts
If you are experiencing new, sudden, or changing abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or severe symptoms, pause here and consult a doctor first.
The Premise:
If you are sitting and otherwise relaxed, clench your toes or your foot. Wait for a moment and you'll notice that tension appears elsewhere in the body too - perhaps notably in you gut or torso. Deliberately relax your toes or hands, and send a feeling of permission to relax to them and you will notice the rest of your body also responds. Tension creates tension. Relaxation creates relaxation.
When a flare up starts try this 2 minute Somatic reset.
At first you may think this is counter-intuitive - breathe into the discomfort and send a kind verbal message to that part of your body. How?
Note: Use this gentle exercise to calm nervous tension. If your pain is new, unevaluated, or severe, please seek medical attention first.
1. Breath in for 3 hold for 5 and out for 7 (The count doesn't matter so much as the out breath needs to be longer than the hold which needs to be longer than the in breath.) Then allow your breathing to return to normal.
2. Now close your eyes and do it again, but this time when you breathe out imagine you are sending a message of calm and accepting reassurance to area of discomfort. It's a signal and you are hearing it and responding with care as you would for anyone you cared for - rather that tensing up and getting annoyed. This is no less than you deserve as part of working alongside your medical care team.
HypnoIBS® - What is it and FAQ's
HypnoIBS® is a specialist approcah using gut-directed hypnotic protocols. These focus on supporting healthy communication between your digestive system and your nervous system using guided relaxation, focussed attention, and suggestion. This approach is:
Approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a supportive option for IBS.
Evidence Based - as research shows that hypnosis can be useful for many people with IBS
Drug Free and non-invasive: A powerful complimentary mind-body approach alongside your wider wellbeing
The protocol is designed to support common IBS experiences, such as:
Abdominal discomfort
Bloating and digestive sensitivity
Diarrhea, constipation, or a mixed pattern.
Stress or worry linked with symptoms
By working with the gut-brain axis, gut-directed hypnosis can help reduce the sense of reactivity in the digestive system and support a calmer, steadier baseline.
Why choose a HypnoIBS® based protocol?
This protocol has been designed to provide a structured and supported program, informed by an understanding of IBS.
All one on one sessions are personalised and avoid the necessarily generic recorded audio sessions of Manchester protocol apps - which will work for some.
Personalised sessions can be tailored to your symptom pattern, lifestyle and personal history towards clear goals.
Hypnosis is always focused on long term change. As I often say - the success of a hypnotist can be seen in the limited number of sessions required and a lack of returns for the same issues!
How does it work?
After a free initial consult I provide a treatment plan with the suggestions I believe you need to take in to achieve the goal we have agreed on.
In online or in-person sessions you are guided into a comfortable and relaxed state. From there I use a range of hypnosis techniques of language and imagery to support and install a calmer gut-brain response.
Many people report that the process is soothing, steady and pleasant experience, and finish sessions feeling more settled and resourced.
The aim is to help your system practice a more settled pattern, so your digestion can feel smoother and predictable enough no no longer be a constant concern.
How do I take the Next Step?
If you've been cleared by your doctor for IBS or functional gut issues and are ready to explore how 1:1 gut-directed hypnotherapy can help re-train your nervous system, schdedule a free 30-minute consultation.
Click on the button below to schedule a time for a video call.
Pascal Langlois
Advocate for human first practical hypnosis to improve mind-body communication to feel better, work better and live better.
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Information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice.
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