Hypnotherapy can ease irritable bowel syndrome--study

Professor Roland Valori, a gastroenterologist of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, found that the technique of hypnosis tends to relax the mind, and eases stress and anxiety, two factors that are known to aggravate gastrointestinal problems.

Valori stated, "Of the relaxation therapies available, hypnotherapy is the most powerful. It is pretty clear to me that it has an amazing effect.

"It seems to work particularly well on younger female patients with typical symptoms, and those who have only had IBS for a relatively short time."

Hypnotherapy tested on 100 IBS patients
Explaining the first hand experience of the power of hypnotherapy Valori confessed that he had been recommending the treatment for IBS patients since the early 1990s.

He used hypnotherapy in 100 patients diagnosed with IBS and found the psychological method effective in not only bringing relief in a few cases but also clearing up symptoms completely in some patients.

Nine out of the 10 individuals reported more in control of the symptoms and claimed an improvement in the discomfort level.

Additionally, the signs of four out of 10 patients had completely disappeared while the remaining confessed to feeling more in control of their pain and bowel movements.

Hypnotherapy only an option when drugs fail
Experts point out that though hypnotherapy may be promising for some, there is not enough scientific evidence to prescribe the procedure for all IBS patients.

However, doctors do recommend the therapy as an option if medication fails and the problem persists.

Dr Charlie Murray, Secretary of the British Gastroenterology Society, said, "There is no doubt that hypnotherapy is helpful for some patients, but it depends on the skill and experience of those practicing it.

"But the degree to which it is effective is not well defined. I would support using it as one therapy, but it is no panacea."

The new study was discussed during a Frontline Gastroenterology podcast.

Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the lower intestines and is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort, diarrhea or constipation or a combination of both.

Nearly 20 percent of the population suffers from the condition. It is believed that excluding certain foods from the diet helps ease symptoms, but according to experts that is only a temporary solution.

Dietary measures do not address the root cause of the problem, which is an overly sensitive gut.