“Nerves! Mind-Based Tummy & IBS Management” we are focusing on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or tummy upset and other feelings in our body that are exacerbated by anxiety.  Notice that these audios contain academic citations to support the methods chosen to create these sessions. 

Purpose:
This is not a substitute for medical diagnosis,  treatment, or medication. Clients should always be advised to continue to follow physician directives until instructed by a physician to do otherwise. These audios are for training in Mind-Based Mood Management (MBMM), mindfulness, clinical hypnosis, meditation, and relaxation skill development, which research supports as an adjunct to medical treatment.  

Effect of Autogenic Training on General Improvement in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A  Randomized Controlled Trial. Masae Shinozaki, Motoyori Kanazawa, Michiko Kano, Yuka Endo, Naoki  Nakaya, Michio Hongo, Shin Fukudo. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. September 2010,  Volume 35, Issue 3, pp 189-198 

Mindfulness Training Reduces the Severity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women: Results of a  Randomized Controlled Trial. Susan A Gaylord PhD, Olafur S Palsson PsyD, Eric L Garland PhD, Keturah R  Faurot PA, MPH, Rebecca S Coble BA, J Douglas Mann MD, William Frey MS, Karyn Leniek MD and  William E Whitehead PhD. American Journal Gastroenterology 2011; 106:1678–1688;  doi:10.1038/ajg.2011.184; published online 21 June 2011 

Gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: piloting a primary care-based randomized  controlled trial. Lesley Roberts, PhD, Sue Wilson, PhD, Sukhdev Singh, MD, FRCP, Andrea Roalfe, MSc,  Sheila Greenfield, PhD. British Journal of General Practice. February 1, 2006.  

Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: The Manchester Approach for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Wendy M. Gonsalkorale. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Volume 54, Issue 1, 2006 

Cleaning up the River: A Metaphor for Functional Digestive Disorders. Joseph Zimmerman. American  Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Volume 45, Issue 4, 2003  

I am not providing treatment for your IBS, but rather, I am teaching you strategies that the literature shows can impact the distress you feel because of the gut-brain connection.

A leading controlled trial was published in The Lancet in 1984 and concluded, "therapy patients showed a dramatic improvement in all features, the difference between the two groups being highly significant. In the study group, no relapses were recorded during the 3-month follow-up period, and no substitution symptoms were observed." 

It is also important to point out that stress does not cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but that because of the gut-brain connection, stress control does have a profound impact on the distress that people with IBS experience. 

The research is in: Those who learn these MBMM and mindfulness meditation techniques often find relief from distressing IBS symptoms including: Cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and feelings of unfinished bowel movements. 

It is also important to note that while the research shows profound success, your results may vary and that because this program is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment you should continue any recommendations and treatments your physician has recommended until such time as they instruct you differently. It is also important to note that your individual results may vary, depending on many factors including whether or not you practice the principles in these sound files regularly and whether or not you complete all the sessions provided. And of course, the unique nature of your body and your ability to learn the strategies included in these sessions will all impact the results you have. 

But here you are!  About to listen to my voice on these audios, which means something important: You are ready to remove distress and discomfort from your life and have taken action. For many clients that willingness makes all the difference in moving from despair to a place of comfort. 

This first session will focus on the basics of both autogenic training and mindfulness. Studies have documented that there are skills that can be taught that have significantly reduced the severity of IBS in many study participants. This program is about the methods backed by research, and these are both hypnotic methods you may have already heard of. Our first session will incorporate both ideas with the goal of teaching you these skills. For many, when practiced, these skills alone can provide substantial relief. 

Don’t wait!  Start now!  It’s important to note that you should not wait until you have a flare-up to use these sessions.  This is preparation.  Start now even if you are not experiencing any symptoms.  By doing so you are reprograming your autonomic nervous system, giving advanced instructions to your subconscious mind so that when you do need it you have already started building the ‘autopilot to work far more effectively!

Begin the next audio by finding a comfortable place to practice these methods. You will find that by setting aside some time to listen to this sound file uninterrupted you will have a higher level of benefit, so turn off your cell phone, close the door and let others know you will need some time uninterrupted.  

I prefer that people learn MBMM while sitting in a comfortable chair, with the hands and feet uncrossed and the arms resting on either the armrest or the lap. It is perfectly okay at any time to adjust for comfort, this won’t disturb you, it will actually help you feel more comfortable and make it easier to follow any instructions.

There is also not a right or a wrong way to experience MBMM For some it may feel like a deep dreamlike state where they don’t really listen to all the words but rather experience a process.  For others, they will be very aware of each word I use, paying close attention to the feeling and the process. Either way is just fine. What is most important is that you have dedicated yourself to learning something new.