WELCOME TO THE IBS TREATMENT PROGRAMME
Adrian Blake BA (Hons), BACP Accredited, UKCP Registered
Dip Psychology (Lond), MNRHP, Cert Ed
UK practices in Bromley, Kent, and Norfolk
IBS
Treatment Programme - Homepage
Background to the IBS
Treatment Programme developed by Adrian Blake
Individual Sesssions - Fees and How to Make an Appointment
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- an Overview
Stress and IBS
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy
- what happens in therapy sessions?
Am I Likely to Benefit?
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy
- Research
Links
To contact me:
Email: Adrian Blake
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy - Research
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy has been successful in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of IBS for many sufferers.
What then do we mean by 'many'?
Which of you are most likely to benefit from Gut Directed Hypnotherapy?
Which of you will benefit more from a combination of treatments?
In a pioneering study on hypnotherapy and the irritable bowel syndrome, Dr Peter Whorwell and his colleagues (1984) demonstrated a dramatic improvement in patients taking part in the research. A further study was carried out in the same department in 1987 to:
a. Confirm the long-term benefits of Gut Directed Hypnotherapy on the symptoms of IBS
b. Determine which groups of patients respond best to this approach.
Several groups of patients were studied. One group, for example, had classical IBS - i.e. suffered the major triad of symptoms: abdominal pain, bloating and disordered bowel habit (constipation, diarrhoea or both).
Another group had classical IBS together with more than average emotional problems as measured by questionnaire.
The response rate for the first group was 95%, for the other group 60%. Another group which did not fit all the classic symptoms of IBS achieved a response of around 50%.
Practical clinical experience since publication of these studies has largely supported these findings.
In addition to the symptoms described above, some IBS patients also suffer from over-acidity in the stomach which can create symptoms of nausea, heartburn, indigestion, reflux of stomach contents back into the oesophagus, etc. Gut Directed Hypnotherapy is often effective in reducing gastric acid secretion enabling the stomach to empty as it should, which in turn reduces or eliminates these uncomfortable symptoms.
Those who have particular emotional issues that may be affecting them are likely to benefit most from a combination of counselling or psychotherapy and Gut Directed Hypnotherapy. 'Spring cleaning' the mind in this way appears to create space for the subsequent acceptance of Gut Directed suggestions.
In general the approach described has a good response rate, is drug free and non addictive. It can lead to a striking and lasting improvement both in the relief of IBS symptoms and in overall well being.
Links to research overview: hypnotherapy and IBS
From the mid-1980s onwards there has been a huge upsurge in interest in using hypnotherapy to treat IBS. Hundreds of research studies have been conducted worldwide that have shown the effectiveness of hypnotherapy, either on its own or in combination with counselling or psychotherapy.http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=204631 I played a leading part in setting up several of the nationwide groups of IBS sufferers who took part in this major research study. Results published in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (2004) showed “significant improvements in both gastrointestinal and psychosocial symptoms".
www.ibshypnosis.com/IBSresearch.html An overview of some of the major studies. Includes the 1984 pioneering study of Professor Peter Whorwell of Manchester University Medical School which established hypnotherapy as a treatment of choice for many in the medical profession where orthodox medications proved ineffective.
www.manchester.ac.uk/press/title,45623,en.htm Specifically about the groundbreaking work at Manchester University Medical School using hypnotherapy to treat IBS.