Tired of IBS getting in the way of you enjoying the freedom to eat the food you love? Sick of feeling sick and uncomfortable?

IBS and IBD can make going out to eat or even cooking at home a logistical nightmare. Skipping your favorite foods and social time out with friends can be complicated by the knowledge that soon you’ll need to excuse yourself to a nearby restroom for an inconvenient amount of time or just feel bloated and uncomfortable when you’d rather be hearing the latest news from your family or playing host to your friends without worry that your gut will take over the agenda.
Perhaps you’ve tried changing your diet or taking medication. These can be valuable steps in feeling less controlled by your body but are often inconvenient or only partially effective. Add a new, innovative, and highly effective tool to your toolkit with gut-directed hypnosis.

Gut Directed Hypnosis is an evidence-based treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms. Initially developed for use with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), research has shown that it is also effective in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s and Colitis, GERD, and other functional digestive issues, even if they have not responded to other treatments.

Why Try Gut-Directed Hypnosis?

 

Many people find that traditional medical treatment for IBS doesn’t work well for them. The effects of medication can be limited and often come with side effects. Dietary changes such as the low FODMAP diet can help, but people often find the changes challenging to put in place and follow long-term.

 

The ability of hypnosis to reduce our experience of pain, the reactivity of the smooth muscles of the gut, and our emotional response to discomfort have been shown to be highly effective in improving the experiences of individuals with IBS or IBD.

 

Across multiple large studies, the effects of Gut-Directed Hypnosis on functioning are strong. Approximately 80% of participants report improvement in bowel symptoms and overall well-being. Effects are strongest in abdominal pain relief, with reductions of pain by 50% or greater across many studies.

 

A recent follow-up study found that improvement was maintained up to six years after treatment, with 70% of participants reporting that their symptoms were “very much or moderately” better before treatment. They needed fewer visits with their doctors and were taking less medication than before Gut-Directed Hypnosis.

Participants often report that they find the experience of GDH to be easy and relaxing and feel the results are worth the effort!

What is Hypnosis?

 

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention. By using relaxing and focusing techniques, we can use the abilities of our mind to change our experience in ways we normally cannot.

 

The way hypnosis is shown in media has led to many misunderstandings about how it works. People often worry that when in trance, they will be vulnerable to the manipulation of others or out of control of their experience. This could not be more wrong!

 

Hypnosis only works if you let it, and while someone else may be guiding you as you relax and go into trance, it is only your choice to engage that makes it work. It is often said that “all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.”

Why Does Hypnosis Help with GI Issues?

 

That’s a great question! Often, when people are told to seek help from a therapist, they feel that they are being told their concerns are all in their heads or that their symptoms aren’t real.

 

The reality is that our mind and body are not as distinct as we often think. We’ve all gotten tension headaches or body pain when stress builds up and tightens the muscles of our neck and shoulders. Information from our body travels to our mind and back to our body, helping us adapt to life.

 

Gut-directed hypnosis helps us retrain how our brain and gut communicate, changing how our brain takes in sensory information from our body and brings it to our attention. People with IBS have been shown to have brains that are more aware of and sensitive to pain signals from our gut. A problem that may feel like mild discomfort to the average person may feel a lot stronger to you. This does not mean you’re exaggerating your experience or making it worse, just that the signal’s ‘volume’ is louder than it is for others.

Take control of your Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease by learning Gut-Directed Hypnosis. You’ll experience increased relaxation and reduced pain, and improved well-being.

What Can I Expect?

 

Gut-Directed Hypnosis is being held in an online-only group setting. You’ll meet with Dr. Gilson and other group members and spend approximately an hour participating in exercises to build your self-hypnosis skills.

A black woman wearing cream clothing relaxing in a chair on a balcony with a laptop on her lap

 

The process includes the following:

    • Individual Intake Assessment:

        • Required for participation in the group, you’ll meet once with Dr. Gilson for approximately an hour to discuss your symptoms, be screened for the ability to be hypnotized, and learn about hypnosis in general and GDH.

        • Most people (more than 75%) can be hypnotized enough to benefit from the treatment.

        • This screening will identify those for whom this treatment is unlikely helpful.

        • You’ll learn about hypnosis, address any questions or concerns, and discuss how to get the most out of treatment.

    • Classes:

        • Seven bi-weekly (twice a month) classes with 4-8 participants per group

        • Classes include a hypnotic induction, gut-directed suggestions for relaxation and healing, reduction of inflammation, and wellness, followed by re-alerting and re-orientation

        • After week two, you’ll receive a recording to listen to and practice daily (at least five days a week) to see long-lasting effects.

        • Groups will be held via Google Meet.

        • If you have to miss a class, you will have the option of having a 1:1 session with Dr. Gilson (a separate fee) to make up the missed exercise.

    • Fees:

        • Intake Assessment: (required)- $165

        • Classes (7)- $90 each, or $560 if paid in full by end of the first class

    • Requirements:

        • Participants must be able to provide documentation that they have been screened for colon cancer by their GI or PCP doctor. If you prefer not to provide this documentation, you’ll be asked to sign a document showing your awareness that a colon cancer screen is considered medically advised before treating symptoms that may be a reflection of an undiagnosed illness.

        • Reliable internet that is strong enough to use for telehealth

Ready to Start?

Contact Dr. Gilson by emailing her at AllisonGilson@MomentaiWellness.com or schedule a phone call here