The symptoms of IBS can be frustrating and embarrassing, but there is hope. Modern PHS offers gut directed therapy, a proven approach to treating IBS that focuses on the connection between your gut and your brain.
So you’ve tried everything?
From the low FODMAP diet to expensive supplements, doctor’s prescriptions and over the counter medication. No matter how long you’ve been struggling with IBS, our clinic provides a proven therapeutic process of getting long term relief without restrictive diets or medications.
Gut directed therapy is a unique blend of strategic psychotherapy, clinical hypnotherapy, with cognitive behavioural therapy techniques that is backed by science and over 35 years of evidence. Our approach goes beyond nutrition and the food you are eating, and instead we focus on the underlying reason for your gut/IBS symptoms exist - the break in communication (signal) between your gut and brain connection.
Did you know that anxiety and gut health affect one another?
The connection between anxiety and gut health is referred to as the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis is the two-way communication between the central nervous system and enteric nervous system (the organs and the gut microbiome found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract). Essentially, your gut talks to your brain, and your brain talks to your gut. This is easily explained, for example when you are nervous or excited, we can often feel ‘butterflies or knots’ or tightness in the stomach – also known as arousal of the body’s fight or flight signal. See our Anxiety and Stress page for more information on anxiety.
What does the science say exactly?
Neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin and dopamine, released by the GI tract, have a significant impact on brain function and mood. The insufficient production of either of these crucial neurotransmitters is mainly responsible for mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. When the gut microbiota is imbalanced, it can reduce the production of these essential "happy hormones," leading to stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
IBS symptoms and flare-ups are largely an unconscious process you run, which is why our clinic uses hypnotherapy as the most effective tool used in treatment for needed relief and recovery.
Clinical Hypnosis can help you ‘fix’ the mind gut connection causing IBS symptoms and flare-ups! Here’s how we do it.
When the natural communication between your gut and brain functions as intended, there are typically no issues. However, if there are inaccurate signals being exchanged between them, two primary problems can arise.
The first problem is known as visceral hypersensitivity. This occurs when your intestines become excessively sensitive to normal sensations like gas or feeling full, leading to a misinterpretation of internal stimuli as pain. The nerves within your gut become overly alert, signalling discomfort and pain when it may not be necessary. Your brain can also amplify these signals, resulting in an increased perception of pain.
The second issue caused by this miscommunication between your brain and gut is altered bowel motility. This refers to the speed at which food moves through your digestive system. It can lead to symptoms like constipation and/or diarrhea. Irregular movement within your intestines can also create increased pressure, which further contributes to pain.
Instead of solely managing the symptoms through medications or dietary adjustments, we can focus on directly addressing this faulty communication. Through hypnosis we reconnect the signals between your brain and gut for needed relief and recovery.
The evidence is clear
Research shows that gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS sees on average a reduction in symptoms of over 70%. And the best part? Modern PHS therapists can work with clients online, so we can work together no matter where you live.
This is a tried, tested, and proven method for dealing with gut and IBS symptoms naturally. The good news is that no matter how long you have had the issue, we can address it with six sessions.
For more information on the research see listed articles for easy reference.