If you’re searching for effective help for IBS symptoms in London, this page explains how Jason Demant, IBS hypnotherapist in London and online, approaches IBS symptom management. We will also look at what hypnotherapy is, so please read on for find out more. For information about Jason’s IBS hypnotherapy sessions, click here for more information.
Do I need an IBS Hypnotherapist?
Let’s talk about irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, as it is often referred to. IBS can be a very unpleasant and distressing condition. You may feel an urgency to go to the loo. You may also have other symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, cramping, pain or even nausea. For people with IBS, the distress can also can lead to catastrophizing thoughts.
Catastrophizing thoughts are those unhelpful or negative thoughts about the future or the severity of symptoms. Catastrophizing thoughts can really add to the burden of the physical symptoms. Let’s talk about how an IBS hypnotherapist can help you manage symptoms better and feel more positive about the future.
IBS hypnotherapy to manage symptoms better
Hypnotherapy is really a great way to better manage IBS symptoms. Hypnotherapy is a safe treatment that is now recognised and recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). Recognised for the treatment of IBS. So, you may wish to consider an IBS hypnotherapist alongside other interventions such as diet or medication.
Gut directed hypnotherapy
As an IBS hypnotherapist I use Gut directed hypnotherapy with clients in London and online. It is very important to have reasonable expectations of success. For many clients, their IBS symptoms will decrease after a few sessions. However, for some people it will take a number of sessions. For this reason, I also provide take home IBS hypnosis audios.
Why use an IBS hypnotherapist?
IBS and hypnotherapy really started to be connected together about 30 years ago, when Professor PJ Whorwell. Began to do extensive research about hypnotherapy and IBS, some symptoms and other functional gut disorders. Based in Manchester. Professor Whorwell found that hypnotherapy could really have a positive effect on both symptoms and symptom management. He found that IBS hypnotherapy also had a positive effect on mental well-being.
Hypnotherapy can help you reduce the urgency to go to the toilet and regaining a more regular bowel habit. Something very important, that I help a lot of clients with is reducing stress and anxiety about symptoms. Sessions are also about looking at other areas of life. Sessions can help you feel more confident in all areas of your life.
IBS Treatments plans
People often ask me what the treatment plan is for hypnotherapy and their IBS symptoms. However, because sessions are really about what you personally need, I tend not use a generic treatment plan. Though having said that, sessions will always involve some hypnotherapy. A particular type of hypnotherapy referred to as gut directed hypnotherapy.
As an IBS hypnotherapist I want to help you deal better with symptoms and feel better about daily life. In terms of a treatment plan, we will be looking at symptoms, pain and those factors that exacerbate symptoms.
An IBS client story
Let me tell you about a client who recently came to see me suffering from IBS pain and discomfort. In his late 30s, Jeremy (name changed) was a successful accountant with his own business. Like some people, his IBS symptoms began after food poisoning when on holiday in South America. However, over time, his tummy still reacted to small changes, whether in food or his stress levels.
Gut directed hypnotherapy helped Jeremy reduce the intensity of pain and discomfort. The real benefit of sessions, he explained, was that now he didn’t feel anxiety when going out or travelling by public transport. Previously, he had been worried about feeling trapped when on a train with no toilet facilities close by. I was really pleased to see the progress Jeremy made.
What is hypnotherapy?
As an IBS hypnotherapist, I use gut directed hypnotherapy. Often people have questions regarding hypnotherapy. They ask what it is and how it works. Unfortunately, many people think hypnotherapy is some sort of magic or miracle. Basing their views on what they see on TV and in the movies.
Hypnotherapy is a scientifically proven way to help mental health and functional conditions such as IBS. Here are a few questions people do ask about IBS and gut directed hypnotherapy.
Is Hypnotherapy safe?
Yes. Hypnotherapy is very safe. I often joke with clients that the worst-case scenario is that you will wake up feeling more relaxed. Hypnotherapy is really about quietening that analytical, busy, conscious mind. I guide you into a relaxed state, a little bit like when you’re daydreaming or engrossed in a very interesting book. You’re able to open your eyes and you do hear what is going on around you.
When in this relaxed hypnotherapy trance, I’m more able to speak to your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is the place where beliefs and thoughts about symptoms are found. We can influence the mind and gut to be less reactive to each other. IBS hypnotherapy is perfectly safe. However, if you do suffer from a mental health condition In which you hallucinate or may experience psychosis, it is important to check with a qualified medical professional before starting sessions.
Why will this work when doctors and dietitians have not?
People often contact me as a last resort. However, now as an IBS hypnotherapist, my treatment is recognised both in the US and the UK as a scientifically backed way to help IBS symptoms. As an IBS hypnotherapist, I often work in conjunction with dieticians and gastroenterologists and I receive many referrals from London gastroenterologists. Frequently people are looking for a medical explanation for their symptoms. After many tests it can be found that there is no clear cause and IBS is the given diagnosis. This can be very frustrating.
With clients I take a more holistic look on health and well-being. We look at psychological and emotional factors that could be contributing to symptoms or their management. For many people, changes in diet are important but also looking at lifestyle and the gut-brain axis using gut directed hypnotherapy.
What is Gut Directed Hypnotherapy?
Gut directed hypnotherapy is about the relationship between the mind and the digestive system. The digestive system is often referred to as the second brain. For many people, anxiety, stress, as well as emotions and feelings can be expressed in their gut. In fact, we often refer to the gut in that way. We talk about having a ‘gut feeling’ or having ‘butterflies in your tummy’, when nervous. We naturally see the tummy as a place where emotions can be stored or expressed.
As an IBS hypnotherapist, I help people calm the relationship between the digestive system and the mind. For whatever reason, each has now become overly sensitive to the other. So very small changes in the gut, which ordinarily would not have bothered the mind, are seen by the mind as something very worrying and to be concerned about. Also, whereas previously stress or anxiety didn’t affect the tummy very much, it may be the case that now stress or anxiety is experienced in the gut more strongly than previously. During sessions, we look to relax this relationship. So, as I mentioned before, the worst-case scenario with hypnotherapy is that you leave sessions feeling more relaxed.
Book in with an IBS hypnotherapist today
If you would like to reduce the intensity of IBS symptoms such as pain, discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea or that feeling of urgency to go to the loo, get in touch to find out more. I regularly help people with IBS symptoms, as a London IBS hypnotherapist. I really enjoy seeing the progress that clients make. Sessions are enjoyable and stimulating. Clients often gain from take home hypnosis audios which reinforce positive change and help relax and calm the gut brain axis. Gut directed Hypnotherapy is now a research based, scientifically approved method for IBS. Get in touch today to find out how I can help you too.
