IBS – Holistic Understanding and Healing
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements – constipation, diarrhoea, or a mix of both.. IBS affects up to 10-15% of the global population and is often triggered by stress, dietary choices, gut-brain dysregulation, and past trauma. Hypnotherapy has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach to alleviate IBS symptoms by influencing the gut-brain axis, especially with patients reporting improvements in pain, anxiety, and quality of life. Reviews suggest that it produces small to medium effect sizes, indicating meaningful clinical benefits beyond placebo.
The Lancet Gastroenterology journal published a study showing that gut-focused hypnotherapy led to symptom improvement in 80% of patients with refractory IBS, significantly outperforming placebo treatments. Key Finding: Patients reported improved quality of life and emotional well-being, highlighting hypnotherapy’s role in psychosomatic and chronic conditions.
Causes
IBS is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning the bowel functions abnormally without structural defects. Common causes include:
1. Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression influence gut function through the gut-brain axis.
2. Abnormal gut motility: Fast or slow contractions in the intestinal walls result in diarrhea or constipation.
3. Visceral hypersensitivity: Heightened sensitivity to normal bowel activity causes pain.
4. Infections and inflammation: Gastrointestinal infections or low-grade inflammation can trigger IBS.
5. Food sensitivities: Trigger foods (e.g., gluten, dairy) or poor digestion of certain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) can aggravate symptoms.
Types of IBS
1. IBS-D (Diarrhea-Predominant): Loose stools and urgency.
2. IBS-C (Constipation-Predominant): Hard stools and difficulty in bowel movements.
3. IBS-M (Mixed Type): Alternating between diarrhea and constipation.
4. IBS-U (Unclassified): Symptoms that do not fit the other categories.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
1. Dietary Therapy
- Low-FODMAP Diet: Short-term elimination of fermentable carbs has been shown to reduce symptoms in ~70% of IBS cases. Should be supervised by a qualified practitioner due to microbiome impact.
- Soluble Fiber (e.g., Psyllium): Recommended by ACG 2020 guidelines for IBS-C; improves stool consistency and symptom severity.
2. Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH)
- Clinical trials, including a 2019 multicentre RCT, show that both individual and group hypnotherapy significantly improve global IBS symptoms.
- GDH addresses subconscious stress patterns, gut-brain signaling, and emotional triggers.
- Remote/digital hypnotherapy formats have also shown efficacy.
3. Psychological Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) help in managing anxiety and emotional triggers.
4. Probiotics
- Specific strains such as Bifidobacterium infantis show promise in symptom control, though more research is needed.
- Best used selectively and not as a blanket solution.
Integrative Healing at Inner Journeys
At Inner Journeys, we approach IBS through an integrative model combining:
- Clinical Hypnotherapy to release emotional trauma and calm gut responses
- Inner Child Healing to address stored memories of stress or emotional neglect that may contribute to IBS
- Somatic & Energy Work to regulate the nervous system and clear energetic blockages
Hypnotherapy Techniques for IBS Relief
1. Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH): This technique targets the gut-brain axis to normalize digestive function and reduce bowel sensitivity.
Scientific Evidence: A 2020 study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology evaluated the impact of gut-directed hypnotherapy on 200 IBS patients. Findings: 80% of participants experienced symptom relief and reduced anxiety after six sessions, with benefits lasting up to 12 months.
2. Progressive Relaxation and Hypnotic Deepening Techniques: It Progressive relaxation helps reduce muscle tension and stress, while deepening techniques ensure patients enter a deeper hypnotic state to enhance suggestion absorption.
• Use Case: Especially effective in IBS-D and cases with stress-related flare-ups.
Case Study: A 2018 trial published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility showed that using progressive muscle relaxation in combination with hypnosis led to a 50% reduction in diarrhea frequency in IBS-D patients.
3. Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH): This approach combines hypnotic techniques with cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thoughts about IBS symptoms and help patients reframe their response to discomfort.
Application: Ideal for IBS-C patients, where anxiety exacerbates symptoms.
Scientific Study: A 2019 randomized trial published in Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that CBH reduced both constipation and anxiety levels in 70% of participants.
4. Anchoring Techniques for Symptom Control: Anchoring involves linking a physical trigger (e.g., touching the wrist) to a hypnotic suggestion for symptom relief.
• Use Case: Patients use anchors in everyday settings to manage sudden IBS symptoms.
Case Study: A case report documented a patient with IBS-M who learned to use an anchor to prevent diarrhea during stressful events, improving their confidence and quality of life.
Hypnotherapy offers a safe, effective alternative for managing IBS by targeting both physical symptoms and psychological triggers. Techniques like gut-directed hypnotherapy, cognitive restructuring, and progressive relaxation help patients regain control over their bowel function, while self-hypnosis anchors empower them to manage flare-ups in real life.
Hypnotherapy has shown long-lasting improvements in IBS symptoms, with benefits lasting for up to 12 months. Scientific studies affirm the effectiveness of gut-directed hypnosis, with over 80% of patients reporting symptom relief.
The treatment is customized for individual needs, ensuring personalized care for IBS patients.
By addressing both gut-brain communication and emotional factors, hypnotherapy provides holistic symptom relief for IBS sufferers, enhancing both their physical health and emotional well-being.
Start your Healing Journey today!
Session duration: 1 – 1 1/2 hours,
Online over Zoom
or
at our centre in Sector 57, Gurgaon.
Fee: Rs 7000 INR per session
Contact: Abhishek Joshi: +91 981020 6293, Priyanka Shukla: +91 9594280000 (11 am – 7 pm IST)
or share your problem with us in detail at info@innerjourneys.life/ innerjourneys11@gmail.com
Inner Journeys 