Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder and is diagnosed by the doctor if no medical abnormalities are found. It occurs mainly in young stress-sensitive people, and more women than men suffer from it. The main symptoms are abdominal pain and problems with bowel movements. As therapy, fiber-rich food, antispasmodics and sedatives, painkillers, bulk-forming laxatives and antidepressants are prescribed. However, these resources often only work temporarily.

Medical hypnosis

Scientific research shows that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment. Hypnosis in the medical field has traditionally focused on changing physiological processes, especially for pain management. For IBS I work with a specially developed program with various hypnosis sessions aimed at the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and digestion. The number of sessions required ranges from six to 12.

In addition, I offer a program that consists of longer sessions (of 1.5 hours) in which hypnotherapy and craniosacral therapy are combined.

If you would like to seek advice, please contact me for a free phone call. Or book your first session directly. Via the ‘Appointment’ button, you can easily choose the time that suits you in my calendar.

The overstimulated colon

In people with IBS, the colon is hypersensitive. The colon reacts extra sensitive to (certain) food, tension and emotional excitement. In particular, the inner wall of the large intestine becomes overstimulated under pressure of the stool and due to flatulence. Other aspects of IBS are irregular or convulsive movements in the intestine.

Symptoms are a nagging abdominal pain with occasional short-term exacerbation and radiance, bloating, fluffy or mush stools, diarrhea or constipation (often alternating), decreased appetite, a feeling of a full stomach, gas formation, bloating and flatulence.

Causes of IBS

So far, it is not fully known what the exact cause of IBS is. On internal examination, everything may look normal, but still the colon does not function properly.

The large intestine can be seen as a muscular snake that kneads and propels the stool. Due to strong contractions of the intestinal muscles, the stool enters the rectum, after which it leaves our body through the anus.

In the large intestine, water and salts are extracted from the stool, making it firmer and doughy. However, if food residues pass through the large intestine too quickly or too slowly, either too much or too little water remains in the food slurry. This leads to diarrhea (too much water) or constipation (too little water).

Connection body & mind

We have no control of the muscles of the intestine, the ‘smooth muscle tissue’. You cannot tense and relax them on willpower. However, the intestines do respond to our emotions. For example, many people have a slight degree of diarrhea just before a stressful event such as an exam. Conversely, physical pain, for example due to a sudden cramping of the large intestine, can cause us to become gloomy or more easily irritated. If you are also worried about symptoms or other physical sensations, this can aggravate the pain.

The functioning of our intestines is determined by neurological, biochemical and hormonal processes, controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This nervous system inhibits or stimulates the functioning of the large intestine.

• When we physically take action, blood pulls away from the intestinal system in favor of the muscles.
• At rest, the intestinal function increases: the blood goes to the intestines so that the absorption of nutrients can take place optimally

What is hypnosis?

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is a technique, a skill that you can develop to get more opportunities to solve problems. A hypnotic state is a state of increased concentration, of intensive use of your imagination. Actually, everyone is familiar with the experience without it being called hypnosis. For example, if you are watching a movie you might be so absorbed in it that you do not hear others talking to you. Or when you are on the road in traffic, thinking ‘Hey, am I here already?’ You missed part of the route because your mind was somewhere else.

During the hypnotherapy sessions you will learn how to achieve a hypnotic state. There are many ways to do this. Normally we use a relaxation technique or you are asked to focus on a certain idea. You just stay awake and conscious. You follow the therapist’s words to relax, feel comfortable and immerse yourself in your own world of experience. You can hear everything that is going on around you and you stay in complete control.

Why does hypnotherapy work?

As mentioned, we cannot control our colon directly. Nevertheless, you can learn to influence it. You do this with your imagination. Thought images often have a specific effect on the body and organs. For example, if you focus on the idea of biting into a lemon, then the salivary glands in the upper jaw can become active and secrete saliva. This phenomenon is used in hypnotherapy.

The ability to influence the physiological processes of the intestines with your imagination is many times greater in hypnosis. In hypnotherapy we work with suggestions that stimulate the imagination and have a specific effect on the large intestine. Research has shown that hypnotic suggestions influence the functioning of the intestines. Hypnosis changes the movement of the intestines and how the muscles contract, and it reduces sensitivity in the intestines.

IBS treatment protocol

The treatment consists of an intake interview and six to twelve hypnosis sessions of about an hour. From the first hypnosis sessions you start to develop hypnotic skills to reduce the tension and sensitivity of the large intestine. In addition, we can work on strengthening self-confidence and learning to deal better with relevant problems. The nervous system is gradually set to a lower tension and will react less strong to events. As a result, the colon will have fewer stimuli to process.

The time and number of sessions people need varies. Some people notice improvement after just a few sessions, while others need more time and practice. It is best to hold the first sessions weekly. After that, we can switch to once every two weeks.

Homework

Hypnosis is not something you passively undergo, on the contrary. An active commitment is crucial, as is practicing daily to train your skills. You receive an audio recording of each session to listen to at home. The goal is that you learn to influence the functioning of the large intestine and to control the symptoms, as quickly and automatically as possible.