Irritable Bowel Syndrome: There’s an App for That
Author: Dr. Mollie Brennan, Naturopathic Doctor:
There is an IBS hypnotherapy app that I recommend often to my patients, with lukewarm reception. Because what is hypnotherapy anyway?
Over 20 studies show that ‘gut directed hypnotherapy’ programs can reduce IBS symptoms significantly. People would trade 10-15 years of their life expectancy in order to not have IBS. This is a big tradeoff that deserves more than a ‘you might have IBS’ or ‘it’s just IBS’ response.
Let’s talk about the evidence for hypnotherapy—which is like guided imagery:
In a small study comparing hypnotherapy to conventional counselling in IBS, the people doing hypnotherapy had less pain, bloating, gas, incomplete evacuation, diarrhea, and constipation. After 1 year the positive results were still lasting.
Monash University, developers of the low FODMAP diet, also studied hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome. They found it to be as effective as diet changes! People were asked to visualize their digestion as a ‘free flowing river’ or ‘the sun shining on your stomach and warming your intestines”.
The issue is that most of us don’t have access to a hypnotherapist for an hour a week. The app called Nerva can be effective. It is also sponsored and being studied by the Monash group. As with any health condition, it’s important to check in with your primary care practitioner and naturopathic doctor to make sure concerns like infection or celiac disease have been ruled out. Note that this approach doesn’t address mental health issues or trauma—it isn’t meant to replace a licensed counsellor.
Go from bloated and food-reactive to confident and feeling healthy in your body again. Book a naturopathic appointment to become a super digester!
References:
1) Lindfors P, Unge P, Arvidsson P, Nyhlin H, Björnsson E, Abrahamsson H, Simrén M. Effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy on IBS in different clinical settings-results from two randomized, controlled trials. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Feb;107(2):276-85. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.340
2) Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 44: 447– 59.
