Hypnosis for IBS Research Project: Volunteers Needed

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that affects millions of Americans and is marked by persistent digestive tract symptoms such as cramps, constipation, diarrhea and feelings of unfinished bowel movements.

IBS is considered a "functional" condition in that while the symptoms are quite real, there is no known physical cause for it such as infection, lesions, injury, etc.

Unfortunately standard medical treatment often falls short and the medications prescribed for IBS can have negative side effects.

However, research going as far back as the 1980's suggests that mind/body healing methods like self-hypnosis and mindfulness meditation can often provide significant relief of symptoms. The most often cited study was conducted in Manchester, U.K. and a review of the literature will often bring up the term, the "Manchester protocol."

(Pub Med citation below)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16316882
Although stress does not cause IBS, it does aggravate the symptoms because of the brain-gut connection.

I am currently looking for 5 or so volunteers with IBS who would be willing to experience a 7 session program based on the Manchester protocol to see if we can replicate the same positive results. Volunteers need to be:

• Formally diagnosed with IBS by a physician. I am not a medical doctor and cannot diagnose your symptoms. Rather I will be teaching you specialized stress relief techniques.
• Willing to follow the protocol which entails coming to the scheduled one-to-one sessions and carrying out the homework assignments between visits, mostly listening to training audio programs.
• Have access to an mp3 or CD player.

Confidentiality is ensured and any results shared publicly will only include identifying data such as the gender, age, duration of symptoms and degree of relief experienced amongst the volunteers.  

To discuss the possibility of your participation, please give me a call at (732) 714-7040.