Hypnotherapy for IBS: A Mind-Body Approach

Pebble Hypnotherapy Blog IBS How Therapy Can Help

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been estimated to affect around 20% of the UK population, and for those affected the journey to relief can feel like a winding road punctuated with uncertainty, discomfort, and frustration. Diet changes, medication, fibre supplements, and probiotics are often the first line of defence, yet for some, symptoms persist, affecting daily life in profound ways. In recent years, however, Hypnotherapy has been demonstrated to have an impact on this debilitating condition. Research by Professor Peter Whorwell into using ‘gut-directed’ hypnotherapy to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome has demonstrated a success rate of around 70%, leading to its recognition by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a legitimate intervention for IBS. 

IBS is not simply a disorder of the digestive tract; it is a complex condition involving the interplay between the gut and the brain. Stress, anxiety, and emotional upheaval can trigger or worsen symptoms, while the discomfort of IBS can, in turn, increase psychological distress. This intricate relationship is sometimes described as the “gut-brain axis,” and it’s here that hypnotherapy can help.

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness (trance). In this state, the mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking.

Over the course of several weeks, many participants experience a reduction in abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea. Beyond managing physical symptoms, hypnotherapy often brings significant improvements in anxiety and overall quality of life, enabling people to regain a sense of control over their bodies—something that can feel lost after years of unpredictable symptoms.

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is usually delivered in a series of six to twelve weekly sessions lasting around 50 minutes. During these sessions I will guide you through relaxation exercises and visualisations, using imagery and metaphors tailored to soothing the digestive system to help retrain the way the brain and gut communicate. I also provide audio recordings to reinforce progress at home.

Importantly, hypnotherapy for IBS is not about “mind over matter” or ignoring real symptoms. Rather, it harnesses the power of the mind to alter physiological processes in the digestive tract, easing the nervous system’s response to stress and discomfort.

While hypnotherapy is not a magic wand, it offers a promising alternative or complement to traditional IBS management strategies—especially for those whose symptoms have not responded to conventional treatments. It is considered safe and generally free of side effects.

If this has resonated with you, get in touch. I am trained in gut-directed hypnotherapy as well as Solution Focused work.

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