IBS

Many people with IBS will seek help from a complementary practitioner and many say it has been helpful. Given the variety and sometimes complexity of an IBS pattern, a lot depends on the skill of the practitioner and how you feel about working with them. Complementary therapies are not widely available through the NHS, so a typical session could cost you from £40 to £80.

You should always look for a practitioner who is properly trained and registered with the relevant professional body.

Summary
Acupuncture is a traditional form of treatment that began in China thousands of years ago. Thin needles are inserted into the skin at special points on the body, which practitioners believe will help restore health. The treatment sometimes also involves heat, pressure, electrical currents or soft-laser light. In the UK, acupuncture is most commonly used for pain relief.

Evidence
Some research indicates that acupuncture may help some people with IBS symptoms. But there is not enough good research to suggest that this is generally the case.

Safety
Acupuncture is generally safe if practised by a trained acupuncturist. The most common side-effects are slight discomfort (common) and bruising (occasionally).

Cost
A session may cost £40-£60. Frequency of treatment will depend on you and your practitioner.

Find out more
The following professional organisations can help you find a qualified practitioner:
Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture
British Acupuncture Council
British Medical Acupuncture Society

Summary
A hypnotised person is awake, alert and focused, but also more susceptible to suggestion. The therapist therefore uses suggestions to bypass the conscious mind in order to bring about changes in behaviour, emotions or attitudes. Hypnosis is used to help people stop smoking or cope with stress or phobias, and the side-effects of therapeutic treatments, and to promote healing. Hypnosis may help some people to manage their IBS pain.

Evidence
Many individual research studies have suggested that hypnotherapy can reduce IBS symptoms in people who don’t get good relief from the usual sorts of medication. But we can’t yet be certain that gut-directed hypnotherapy works well enough to be routinely recommended. It will be very valuable for some people however.

Safety
The safety and effectiveness of hypnotherapy largely depends on the skill of the practitioner and how you feel about working with them. It is unlikely that hypnotherapy will be formally regulated in the foreseeable future. Those who are doctors or psychologists have strong regulatory organisations (see below). Use cautiously if you have a longstanding mental illness or seizures.

Cost
A session may cost £40-£60. Frequency of treatment will depend on you and your practitioner.

Find out more
All full members of British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis hold a medical or dental professional qualification in addition to their hypnotherapy training.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy and
The Hypnotherapy Association both claim to register approved hypnotherapists.

Summary
When people think of ‘talking therapies’ they usually mean either counselling or psychotherapy. Counselling and psychotherapy aim to help people change thoughts, feelings and attitudes. Counsellors help you talk about difficult feelings and understand conflict. It can be helpful just to have time alone with a counsellor to talk in confidence about how you feel. Spending time reflecting on problems often brings insight and puts things into perspective. Psychotherapy helps people learn better ways of thinking or behaving that can reduce their symptoms, disability and distress. Some psychotherapists are trained to help you explore possible causes of distress or symptoms in your past. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the type of psychotherapy that is currently most widely available in the NHS.

Instead of exploring causes of distress or symptoms in the past (like many other types of therapy), CBT looks for ways to improve your state of mind right now. The therapist does this by helping you spot unhelpful thought processes and change them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says “CBT can help you to change how you think (‘cognitive’) and what you do (‘behavioural’)”. For instance, CBT can help you make sense of what seem like overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. This makes it easier to see how they are connected and how they affect you.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the psychological treatment most widely available in today’s NHS.

Evidence
CBT has been shown to improve IBS symptoms in a number of studies. If you have seen your doctor and tried the prescribed medicines and self-care methods for a year and they have not given you enough relief, it would be worth trying CBT.

Safety
CBT techniques are generally safe if carried out by or under the guidance of a qualified counsellor or psychologist.

Cost
In most areas your GP can refer you for CBT or a psychological therapist in the NHS. There are often long waiting lists. A session of CBT or psychological therapy may cost between £20-£50. Frequency will depend on you and your therapist. A typical course of CBT lasts between 6-12 weekly sessions

Further information
It is important to find a qualified counsellor or psychologist. Contact The British Psychological Society.

Summary
Yoga, as taught in the UK, generally includes physical postures or stretches, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation. There are several different types of yoga. Some of them are mainly based on the physical exercises (some types are much more strenuous than others). Others focus more on meditation.

Evidence
Yoga provides a gentle form of exercise and may help with relaxation. There is little research into the use of yoga for IBS.

Safety
Yoga is generally safe when practiced appropriately and at the right level. Classes are run for different ability levels so look for one that is right for you. Yoga stretches should be increased slowly. If in doubt, check with your doctor, osteopath or physiotherapist. Avoid with severe osteoporosis or acute joint or back pain, or recent injuries.

Cost
You will have to pay for the classes but once you have learned this technique you can practise it at home at no cost.

Further information
Classes are run in most areas by both private tutors and by adult education services. To find a qualified teacher near you see also the The Yoga Alliance
and the The British Wheel of Yoga.