Welcome to the IBS Relief Now Blog!

I’m Dan Perez of Hypnosis Works! and I want to welcome you to the IBS Relief Now blog. I will be posting useful information here for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. The most important thing I will be posting here will be peer-reviewed scientific studies that conclude that hypnosis is an effective treatment for IBS symptoms.

Dan Perez can help you with IBS
Hypnotist Dan Perez can help you beat IBS

I have never had IBS, but I recently had a severe bout of sciatica in my right leg, and one thing I noticed was the limitations it imposed on my lifestyle. I couldn’t put on shoes, for one thing. I spent three months wearing nothing but flip flops! I had serious trouble sleeping because of the pain. For the first time in my 64-year-old life I had to use a cane.  Many simple household chores were more difficult for me. I couldn’t ride my beloved bike for exercise.

Fortunately, I was able to relieve my sciatica symptoms with a program of hypnosis, healing visualizations, and physical therapy. In short, I got my life back.

In my research on IBS, I found that it impacts the sufferer’s lifestyle much more severely than sciatica did to mine.  There’s that persistent worry about finding a nearby restroom, especially on longer drives or in unknown buildings like malls. The worry about accidents at work or events, and the planning (extra underwear and clothing) needed for that. Lost time at work or being late due to something that is not your fault. And that’s not counting the numerous physical symptoms: bloating, diarrhea, constipation, urgency, pain, cramping and the rest.

My 5-session program is designed to relieve the physical symptoms and improve gut normalcy and health.  As these improve and remain consistently better, improvements in lifestyle will invariably follow. My program also helps reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can be aggravating factors for IBS.

And the good news is that safe, relaxing, and powerful hypnosis sessions really can significantly help reduce or eliminate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, as this article in Everyday Health points out.

I hope this post has piqued your interest in hypnosis as a possible solution to your irritable bowel syndrome. Want to know more? Set up a free, confidential Calendly call using the form on the lower left of this page, or on the Contact page of this site. Let’s work together to begin the process of getting you your life back!

Stimulating the Vagus Nerve For IBS Relief

Diagram of the vagus nerveThe vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs from the brainstem to the abdomen, passing through several organs, including the stomach and intestines. It plays a critical role in regulating various bodily functions, including digestion, heart rate, and breathing. Research has shown that the nerve also plays a significant role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stimulating the nerve can help reduce the symptoms of IBS and improve overall gut health. Here are some techniques you can use to stimulate the vagus nerve for IBS relief:

Visualization

A good time to visualize is just as you are falling asleep at night., but it can be done anytime. Here’s how to do it:

Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
Imagine a soft, soothing light traveling down from your brainstem, following the path of the vagus nerve through your body. Visualize this light gently stimulating the nerve, promoting relaxation and restoring balance to your digestive system.

Deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing exercises can stimulate the vagus nerve and help reduce stress, which can exacerbate IBS symptoms. Here’s how to do it:

Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Place your hands on your abdomen.
Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4-5 seconds, focusing on inflating your belly.
Hold your breath for a few seconds.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6-7 seconds, focusing on deflating your belly.
Repeat for 5-10 minutes, several times a day.

Singing or humming

Do you like karaoke or singing in the shower? Singing or humming can also stimulate the vagus nerve and improve gut health. Here’s how to do it:

karaoke singer
Choose a song you like or hum a tune.
Sing or hum for a few minutes, focusing on the vibration in your throat.
Take deep breaths between verses or tunes.
Repeat several times a day.

Gargling

Gargling can help stimulate the vagus nerve by activating the muscles in the back of the throat, which is in proximity of the nerve. Here’s how to do it:

Take a sip of water.
Tilt your head back and gargle for 10-15 seconds.
Spit out the water.
Repeat several times a day.

Exercise

Exercise can help stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce stress, which can improve gut health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, several times a week.

Meditation

Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate IBS symptoms. Here’s how to do it:

Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
Repeat for 5-10 minutes, several times a day.

Hypnosis

Studies have shown that hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for IBS by stimulating the vagus nerve. While you are hypnotized, Dan can suggest positive changes to your subconscious mind to help reduce stress and stimulate the nerve. This is one strategy we use to help you overcome IBS.

In conclusion, stimulating the vagus nerve can help reduce the symptoms of IBS and improve overall gut health. Try incorporating some of these techniques into your daily routine and see what works best for you. And consider Dan’s highly effective 5-course hypnosis program to help you leave IBS behind and get your life back

Excerpt From a Scientific Study on IBS and Hypnosis

Tan, G., Hammond, D. C., & Gurrala, J. (2005). Hypnosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review of Efficacy and Mechanism of Action. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 47(3), 161–178.
doi:10.1080/00029157.2005.1040

“Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, distension, and an altered bowel habit for which no cause can be found. Despite its prevalence, there remains a significant lack of efficacious medical treatments for IBS to date. In this paper we reviewed a total of 14 published studies (N = 644) on the efficacy of hypnosis in treating IBS (8 with no control group and 6 with a control group). We concluded that hypnosis consistently produces significant results and improves the cardinal symptoms of IBS in the majority of patients, as well as positively affecting non-colonic symptoms. When evaluated according to the efficacy guidelines of the Clinical Psychology Division of American Psychological Association, the use of hypnosis with IBS qualifies for the highest level of acceptance as being both efficacious and specific. In reviewing the research on the mechanism of action as to how hypnosis works to reduce symptoms of IBS, some evidence was found to support both physiological and psychological mechanisms of action.” Link here.