One of the symptoms many of my IBS clients experience on a daily basis is chronic pain.

Chronic pain is defined as ‘an unpleasant sensation that persists for three or more months or beyond the expected time of tissue healing and serves no biological function.’ (Elliott et al., 1999). It is both a sensory and emotional experience.

The experience of chronic pain

‘The pain is relentless, unbearable, overwhelming.’ These are just some of the words used by my clients to describe their battle with long-term, persistent pain.

The impact of chronic pain

Chronic pain can cause considerable suffering, physical limitations, and emotional distress and when combined with IBS, the impact can be truly devastating, destroying careers, breaking up relationships, stealing independence and denying people the futures they had imagined.

So how can chronic pain be relieved?

Chronic pain is complex and treating it is challenging. Medication can be helpful but may only be part of the treatment - other elements that help include:

• Psychological therapies (Clinical hypnotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, meditation)

• Physical therapies (hot or cold packs, massage, hydrotherapy)

• Physiotherapy

• Acupuncture

• Exercise

Hypnotherapy for the relief of chronic pain

Hypnotherapy has been used for pain management for over 150 years. In fact, hypnotic analgesia is among the oldest treatments for pain. There is evidence that hypnosis has observable influences on the neurophysiological processes associated with pain. Recent studies have found that hypnosis interventions consistently produce significant decreases in pain associated with a variety of chronic-pain problems.

Self-hypnosis

A key element in the success of hypnotherapy in the treatment of chronic pain is teaching the person self-hypnosis, which is why I include developing self-hypnosis skills as part of my HYPNO4IBS program. Self-hypnosis provides the chronic pain sufferer with a way of coping with, and gaining greater self-control over, pain. Studies show that people who are more actively involved in self-hypnosis practice benefit more and may have more long-lasting gains (see Elkins et al., 2004; Jensen & Barber, 2000). I recommend that participants on my HYPNO4IBS program practice self-hypnosis at least once a day. This is in addition to listening to one of the tailored hypnotherapy recordings they receive as part of the program.

Hypnotherapy is not a ‘magic cure’

Hypnotherapy can help many people experience less pain. However, it does not help everyone, nor does it always provide complete pain relief. We are all unique human beings and no one treatment will have the same effect on everyone. That said, one of the benefits of working with a hypnotherapist is that the hypnotic suggestions you receive are unique to you and reflect your unique experience. They are laser focused on creating the changes you want to experience.

Want to learn more about whether hypnotherapy can help relieve your chronic pain and IBS symptoms?

Studies have shown the efficacy of hypnotherapy to relieve IBS and pain. Over the last 35 years gut directed hypnotherapy has helped thousands of people experiencing IBS to gain relief. If you are experiencing chronic pain and/or IBS and are curious about, or interested in, exploring how my HYPNO4IBS program and approach could help you - then go ahead and schedule a free consult conversation with me.