Most people, both adults and children, are familiar with gut-related issues – the resulting symptoms and discomfort, but also the different ways of trying to manage them. Different food choices; medications; lifestyle changes; gut health diets and supplements – all things that can help, but don’t always address the underlying issue.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy
When it comes to the use of gut-directed hypnotherapy, the gut is treated as its own independent system within our body, rather than just another organ like any other. With this mode of treatment, everything that relates to gut feelings such as stress, anxiety or fear can be linked back to what’s going on in our head, which has a major effect on how we feel physically. And if something’s physically wrong with us, gut-directed hypnotherapy is there to sort that out.
The actual therapy sessions are carried out just like any other form of hypnosis – the patient is given positive encouragement and suggestions which don’t even need to be related to gut feelings at all. For example, someone could be feeling lethargic for different reasons entirely at first instance but eventually find the solution by discussing gut health in their session. Furthermore, gut-directed hypnotherapy can help alleviate symptoms such as bloating or discomfort through relaxing the diaphragm; “accessing” the gut; calming spasms; reducing acidity levels; managing gut movement; regulating normal contractions (or lack thereof); and balancing stomach acid and gut bacteria.
The gut-brain connection is interesting because it gives us an insight into the potential impact gut function can have on mood. The gut-brain axis is the term used to describe the communication between your gut and your central nervous system, including chemical signals sent along nerves from one side of your body to the other. If your stomach hurts, or you feel nauseous or queasy, this is because messages are being sent from your brain saying something is wrong with your gut. Stress, gut pain, gut contents (food or drink), even gut infections can all influence anxiety levels or depression. The gut is very responsive to messages from other parts of our body.
IBS and hypnotherapy
One of the most common gut-related issues that this therapy can be used for is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS causes stomach pain, nausea, constipation and/or diarrhoea; cramps; backache; fatigue; headache; depression and stress. Other disorders that can be alleviated using this practice include anxiety and panic disorders, gut pain syndromes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy has been proven to be quite effective with the above issues, even more so than gut medications. I often find that people who come forward are looking for relief without having to resort to medication and gut-directed hypnotherapy seems to offer a means of retraining the gut nervous system.
Furthermore, once addressed, gut-directed hypnotherapy is something you can keep in touch with on your own.
Another good aspect of gut-directed therapy is that it deals with stress and gut reactions to stress better than any other therapy I’ve ever experienced before. If you’re feeling too stressed out over different things in life, gut-directed hypnosis will help you get your mind off of your problems while still focusing on how to solve them.
Harley Street, London hypnotherapist
I have over 18 years experience helping people with their gut issues. I am a fully qualified gut-directed hypnotherapist in London. Over the years my passion for hypnotherapy has developed into a career working out problems for people in need. Get in touch for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your gut issues and I could help resolve them.
