IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Hypnosis is widely promoted as a treatment for various long-term conditions and for breaking certain habits. This is despite the fact there’s no strong evidence to support these uses.
However, hypnosis does seem to have an effect, though scientists disagree about how it works. Some experts see it as a relaxation technique that uses the power of suggestion or relies on the placebo effect. Dr Alia Crum PhD has conducted many studies on the power of placebo which are readily available to view online.
When might it be helpful?
Some research studies have suggested that hypnotherapy may help with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as abdominal pain.
These studies don’t provide any strong evidence for its effectiveness, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has nevertheless recognised hypnotherapy as a possible treatment for IBS for those who haven’t responded to other treatments.
