Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) isn’t well understood. A diagnosis is often made based on symptoms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. Others will need medication and a form of Psychotherapy which could be Counselling or Clinical Hypnosis.

How Hypnotherapy Treatments Work for IBS

Treatment of IBS by conventional means is often unsatisfactory, with symptoms failing to respond to an array of currently available medications. Gut directed hypnotherapy, however, has been shown previously to be extremely effective in the treatment of IBS, with the majority of patients showing improvement in symptoms, associated extra-colonic features and quality of life, findings which have been confirmed by independent studies.
Gut directed hypnotherapy comprises of up to a course of 12 weekly 1 hr sessions. Each session consists of induction of the hypnotic state and deepening procedures, followed by “ego strengthening” suggestions relevant to the individual's needs. These are accompanied by further
suggestions and interventions, such as inducing warmth in the abdomen using the hands and imagery, directed towards controlling and normalising gut function.

Hypnotherapy has proven to assist in relieving the symptoms of IBS

This work led to the establishment of the first hypnotherapy unit in the National Health Service in the UK devoted to the treatment of IBS patients. We have recently published an audit on the first 250 patients treated at this unit, 13 confirming the beneficial effects of hypnotherapy in a large number of patients. However, the outcome was measured immediately after patients completed the course of hypnotherapy. The aim of this present study, therefore, was to establish follow up on a large number of patients treated, to determine the longer-term effects of therapy, in terms of symptom improvement, consultation rates, and use of medication.
This research has now been completed worldwide and the findings speak for themselves. Hypnotherapy has proven to assist in relieving the symptoms of IBS and moving toward normalising the gut function.

Pain is a signal something is wrong and it should firstly be diagnosed by a medical doctor.
Whatever the cause of your chronic pain it’s important that you seek medical assistance first to diagnose and address it.

• What would change in your life if you could manage your pain and reduce any discomfort?
• How would you feel if you were able to sleep better and wake up more relaxed?
• What would it be like to have some comfort and relaxation (Mind/Body)?

How Clinical Hypnotherapist Can Help Easing Your Chronic Pain

Once you have seen your Doctor there may still be residual pain or the diagnosis of something like osteo-arthritis could mean that its chronic pain. A Clinical Hypnotherapist can design a treatment plan to suit your need and stimulate your Mind and Body into healing and recovery. as well as reducing chronic pain and managing it were needed.

My practice is based on a Person-Centered Approach, which means I also teach you self-help techniques that you can use at home. Research shows how Hypnosis can assist in pain relief, pain management and body and mind healing. By working with a Clinical Hypnotherapist and then using the self-help techniques at home you are building your body and mind for supportive change.

A Clinical Hypnotherapist can work with your unconscious mind and coach it into supporting you with healing from deep within. “What the mind agrees with the body will respond to” this is the basic premise of hypnosis. We need you to start thinking differently, and start with “I think I can” and that will lead you to “I know I can”

There are many different tools a Clinical Hypnotherapist has to work with assisting you in chronic pain management, pain relief and recovery from chronic pain. Pain is one of my specialty areas, I have worked in this are for over 20 years with Adults and Children alike, I know how effective the treatment can be. Isn’t it time to consider what you really want to feel like? Why not look at Hypnosis NOW…..

How to improve your health and lose weight with hypnosis

Usual things we do when we want to lose weight are going to professionals for advice: doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, personal trainers, etc… But I bet you never thought that you can actually lose weight with hypnosis.

The biggest misconceptions about hypnosis are when you think that if you go to a hypnotherapist he/she will control your mind and make you do funny things while you stay unconscious, “mind control or losing control of yourself”.

The truth is that you are not even unconscious when you experience hypnosis. It’s like a deep relaxation state, like when you go to sleep and you got that floaty feeling before drifting off to sleep. Or the dreamy sensation we feel when we wake up in the mornings (not yet aware where we are and what surrounds us).

Why you should try to lose weight with hypnosis

While in a state of hypnosis you are more susceptible to change, and that’s the reason why you can actually lose weight with hypnosis and it can be effective.

It’s totally different from other methods because hypnosis actually addresses the cause and other contributing factors direct in the subconscious in the person's mind, where the memories, fears, food associations, negative self-talk and self-esteem germinate.

The hypnotherapist and author of “Maximize Your Super Powers” Capri Cruz said that “No other weight loss method addresses the core issues as the root-like hypnosis does”

What most people do when they are stressed?

I know from personal experience that when I am stressed, I eat the wrong kind of food and lose my motivation to exercise and choose comfort food, not all the time, but definitely some of the time. I know when my general health and wellbeing are good, I am motivated to exercise more and attracted to the right kinds of foods.

If you are stressed or unmotivated and really want to get back into your very best health and wellbeing then it’s time to consider Hypnotherapy.

If you really want to make healthy changes for your body and mind, then hypnosis can assist you in finding that inner wisdom that starts to build an inner calm. A new kind of resilience can help strengthen your motivation and determination into making the changes that really are right for you.

Can you actually lose weight with hypnosis?

There are a lot of people that researched this subject, from what they found suggest that the method could actually be very plausible. Studies from back in the 90s found that the people that tried to lose weight with hypnosis lost more than twice as much weight as those who took diets without the therapy.

In the year 2014 one study with 60 obese women, found that those who practiced hypnotherapy lost weight and improved their eating habits and body state.

Also a study from 2017 with a couple of obese adults and few children in which they all successfully lost weight and avoided surgery due to the treatment benefits.

“The unfortunate factor is that hypnosis is not readily covered by medical insurance, so there isn’t the same push for hypnosis studies as there is for pharmaceutical ones,” Dr. Cruz says.

With the increase of prescription drugs and a long list of possible side effects, with the push for more and more natural alternatives, Dr.Cruz is hopeful that hypnosis will soon receive more attention and research for a plausible weight loss approach.

A 10 percent Weight loss (where needed) can:

• Improve hearth health. Raising your HDL – the” good” cholesterol can be difficult but is extremely important to your heart health
• Improves self-esteem
• Lowers cancer risk
• Better sleep
• Improves mobility
• Lowers risk of diabetes
• Your lifestyle will influence others
• Reduces pain

You think it’s time to improve your health and try to lose weight with hypnosis?

How Can You Reduce Stress with Hypnosis?

Research has shown that you can reduce stress with hypnosis, also fear and anxiety. It can also be used to help in coping with the symptoms of panic disorder.  

Stress is something we experience when we feel under too much pressure and unable to cope. We all experience stress from time to time and we all experience it differently. A certain situation (for example, bungee jumping) may be incredibly stressful for one person, but someone else's idea of fun.

Different events and situations can cause stress and often it’s a build-up of small, subtle stressors like work-related stress or financial worries that lead to ongoing (or chronic) stress. Feeling stressed for long periods of time takes its toll on both our mental health conditions and physical health.

While we can’t always control the stressful events and situations we experience, we can control our reactions to them. Here we’ll look into common stress symptoms and explore how to reduce stress with hypnosis, and how to help yourself change your reaction and manage stress better. 

Some of the ways you may feel emotionally include:

• anxious
• overwhelmed and as if you can’t cope
• easily irritated and angry
• low in self-esteem and self-worth

These feelings may change the way you behave and interact with those around you.

Some of the ways you may feel mentally include:

• fast thinking
• difficulty making decisions
• difficulty focusing
• constant worrying

These feelings may well impact on your day-to-day life and over time, stress can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Some of the ways you may feel physically include:

• tense muscles
• headaches
• feeling dizzy
• problems sleeping
• fatigue
• a change in appetite

What can help reduce stress?

The first step to managing stress is to become aware of what triggers it for you and what stress symptoms you experience. Remember, we’re all different and will respond and react to stress differently.

Try making a list of the different things in your life that makes you feel stressed and then note how stress shows up for you. Do you notice symptoms physically, mentally or emotionally? What causes you to feel stressed? Understanding your triggers means you can anticipate when you might struggle in the future and come up with ways to cope.

Tools and techniques to help you manage stress better include:

1. Increasing your communication skills and being more assertive (learn to say no when your plate is already full).
 
2. Using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or having a bath can help to ease tension of your mental health conditions likewise your physical health.
   
 
3. Exercising frequently helps to decrease stress and promotes relaxation. If you’re not a fan of the gym, try going for a walk, swimming or a yoga class.
   
 
4. Making time for self-care is a good reminder that you matter and will help you develop emotional resilience.  
   
 
5. Connecting with friends and loved ones. Talking problems out and spending time in other people’s company can help you feel less alone and more able to cope.
   
 
6. Making space for hobbies and fun can encourage a sense of playfulness and help to alleviate stress.
   
 
7. Working on your sleep routine to ensure you’re getting enough restful sleep can help you feel more energetic and resilient.
   
 
8. Assessing your diet and reducing the amount of sugar and caffeine you’re consuming can help ease some physical stress symptoms.
   
 
9. If stress is impacting your life, you may need further support. There are several options available, including talk therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Hypnosis, Clinical Hypnotherapy.

Reduce Stress With Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy aims to break negative thought patterns and responses to stress and instead provide you with a healthier reaction. This is done via the subconscious - the part of our mind that works automatically and without us realising.  

Your hypnotherapist will help you enter a state of deep relaxation (hypnosis). When you’re in this state, your subconscious is more open to suggestion. The idea here is for the hypnotherapist to ‘suggest’ different ways of responding to stress, to your subconscious.

Some people will see results after one session while others may require a number of sessions. This will depend on your individual circumstances and the depth of work needed. Often Clinical hypnotherapists will also teach you self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques you can use after the sessions are over.

What is a Phobia

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes an individual to experience extreme, irrational fear about a situation.

The fear of something happening is constantly thought about and over time this fear becomes a real belief. Once it reaches this belief phase it has blown out of proportion and to the person suffering the phobia it can feel as if it is real and the feeling is overwhelming.

Is There a Treatment That Works for Phobia?

Specific phobias are among the most common anxiety disorders, and not all phobias need treatment. But if a specific phobia affects your daily life, several therapies are available that can help you work through and overcome your fears — often permanently. These include CBT Mindfulness techniques and Clinical Hypnotherapy

Is There Anything I Can Do To Help Myself?

Yes, you can help yourself and the following exercise will be valuable to support that change

Breathing

It starts with your breathing, take a slow deep breathe in and very slowly exhale in one slow exhalation to the count of 12. Repeat this breathing style 3 times. Then repeat intermittently through the day and especially if your thoughts wander to the phobia.

Overlapping Submodalities

Everything we feel is stored in the way it looks, sounds and feels,
If you can settle into a comfortable place and imagine your phobia,
see it in black and white.

Now imagine putting on top of that image of your phobia:

1. Your favorite colour like a beautiful colourful veil on top.
2. Imagine on top of the phobia your favourite artist singing their songs and dancing.
3. Imagine a cartoon character like sponge bob dancing with your favourite artist.

Now you have changed the way you imagine it; how do you feel? Repeat this exercise daily for a week and notice how much better you can feel.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is about learning how to be more open and flexible in the way you think, which leads to changes in the way you see, feel, and know. Working with NLP techniques will expand your awareness and assists you in developing different ways of communicating in any given situation... NLP works on the principle that everyone has all the resources they need to make positive changes in their own life. They just need to access the greater wisdom within.

What is NLP Used for?

NLP is used as a method of personal development through promoting skills, such as self-reflection, confidence, and communication. Practitioners of NLP work with clients to assist them in achieving their goals, whether work related or personal.  

Practitioners of NLP also work with coaching people into their personal best, helping them discover the wisdom from within themselves, moving them into a different way of thinking, building new flexibility in choices and when you work with changing your body posture and your way of thinking you can find you are more effective and empowered in life and can move toward and into your goal much faster than you think.

NLP, Neuro Linguistic Programming, teaches a range of very effective tools and techniques that help you achieve the results you want or assist you in recognizing what you really want.

Whilst working with NLP I have been able to assist many people in finding their true identity of self, empowered and accepting of their skills, and open to being more confident about new learnings and changes in their lives. Any shift toward what you want is a positive change, once you learn how to start moving toward your goal it is easier to build the steps to continue to move forward until you achieve it.

Position of Excellence

Adjust your physiology to be your most powerful stance, chest out shoulders back.
Take a long deep breath and look straight ahead and upward with your eyes, thinking about where you want to go and when you want to get there. Start walking slowly forward and look ahead and up as you affirm your goal to yourself then say to yourself

"I think I can….. I think I can…… I know I can….. I know I can…"

Look up and then straight ahead and repeat as you walk forward envisaging you achieving your goal.

I will teach you a couple of mindfulness - self hypnosis exercise that will help you imrpove the quality of your day to day focus, build relaxation and support health and wellbeing.

Rhondda Stewart

*This article has also been featured on Mindfood

Mindfulness or Self Hypnosis exercises are valuable in assisting us to relax, become centered and clear-minded. It only takes a few minutes to complete an exercise. Whenever you are stressed, caught up in thinking or feeling unsettled or restless you can use these exercises. They will help you train your brain to relax and take a moment out to reset your thinking, which in turn resets how you feel.  These two exercises are simple and only take a few minutes. The gain once you set these up as a regular habit is something you will enjoy for a lifetime.

Exercise #1 - Work with Nature to practice mindfulness

Take a nice deep breath in and exhale as slowly as you can, make it last, slowly all the way out. Now look around and find a tree, flower or natural element and focus just on that one thing. 

Take another breath in and slowly exhale and keep your focus and thoughts about that one thing. Keep breathing and be mindful of that one thing for 3 to 5 minutes repeat each day and build the time to 10 minutes.

Exercise #2 - Utilizing sounds that resonate a calm feeling

Find a Genre of music that is calming and relaxing for you, then once again, get into a rhythm of breathing in and slowly out, listen to the music as you breathe softly and stay focused on the melody and or words. Play two songs and then refocus. 

In a few minutes of working with either exercise you are starting to build a new internal program in your mind and body to relax.

Are you looking for a way to reduce the symptoms of pain?

Pain is a signal telling you that something needs attention and should be reviewed by a medical practitioner.  Once that has been done and you have worked with the medical design, if you are still finding after this you are suffering a degree of discomfort or pain then hypnotherapy is something to consider for pain relief and for chronic conditions it can assist with pain management.

Studies show that more than 75% of people with arthritis and related diseases experience significant pain relief using hypnosis.  There are many other research articles out there that acknowledge the benefits of working with hypnosis to reduce pain.

Learning to Relax with Hypnosis

Hypnosis is designed to help you, relax, de-stress and support your body in healing.  Some of the benefits from Hypnosis are better sleep, more relaxed, less tension and stress.

If you have recovered from a pain-related condition and still have residual pain

or if you have a condition that causes you pain and you are medicated to help reduce that pain, why not consider the benefits of seeing a Clinical Hypnotherapist.

A good Clinical Hypnotherapist can assist your unconscious mind in knowing the pain signal has been medically treated and that it can now switch off the pain signal providing there is nothing else that needs a medical review or that it is safe to reduce the pain in a chronic condition.

At Clover Institute we train our graduates to become exceptional Clinical Hypnotherapists.  They are comprehensively trained in areas such as habit, pain, childbirth, infertility and a range of medical, emotional and self-identity areas.  As well as their hypnosis training, they receive comprehensive training in teaching the client how to de-stress, sleep better and techniques to relieve pain issues.   The body is a natural healer if a client can rebuild good sleep and relax the body will be able to heal itself much faster.

Self-Hypnosis is a tool that can assist in pain relief.  You can learn how to bring the level of discomfort or pain down and manage any fear or anxiety you may feel is related to that pain. It relaxes you, and it redirects your attention from the sensation of pain.  This can be achieved through hypnosis.  Sessions are usually an hour long.  In the session, the Clinical Hypnotherapist will take down information such as your medical history, medications and other information that assists them in designing the right program for you.

Practice Makes Perfect

Clinical Hypnosis is not a one session miracle, based on your condition the Clinical Hypnotherapist can assess an estimate of sessions which ends up being somewhere between 4 to 10, depending on the work needed.  The self-Hypnosis training is usually given to clients after a session review and when the therapist believes the client can work with that tool on their own.  This is then a tool a client can use between sessions.   Remember some people benefit faster and others not at all. The goal of teaching clients self-hypnosis is so they can use it on their own when pain strikes.

Some practitioners create recordings for clients they can play to lead themselves into the hypnotic process or write out the script for them to record themselves in their own voice.

Learning self-hypnosis takes practice, and some people learn it more easily than others. Practice when you feel little or no pain; when you’re in a lot of pain, it can be harder to do.

Hypnosis with Children

Hypnosis is a tool you also can give a child to help him take control. When they feel pain, they can do something about it immediately without having to wait until mom gets there with the pills or for the pills to take effect. Having hypnosis as a tool also helps eliminate the stress that comes from not having control or fear of losing control.

For children, a practitioner will assess the same as an adult, design a program to suit their needs and create a self-help program built around a story, where the child is able to use their imagination to relax, imagine and relate to the story, such as a magical journey, a healing garden, an adventurous story or perhaps a story where the bodies healing energy relieves pain and relaxes their body and mind.

Is Hypnosis Right for You?

Some people respond to hypnosis better than others.  You won’t know unless you give it a try.  There are no side effects and if it doesn’t work for you, you can stop at any time.  But many people report a significant reduction in pain and gain a simple tool for easing pain and they can use that tool when they need to.

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To find a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist, ask your doctor for a referral or contact Clover Institute for a graduate in your area.

Ph: 02 95509673  or Email: rhondda@cloverinstitute.com.au

STRESS

Effects of stress on the body and mind

Just under five million Australians are suffering from stress, a survey by health fund Medibank has found. Australians are feeling more stressed than ever, with a lack of sleep, work pressures and even social media playing a role, a survey has found.

Dec 28, 2017

The survey found Australians are feeling more stressed than ever, with a lack of sleep, work pressures and even social media playing a role. 

When you feel threatened or uncertain, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper.

Emotional signs of stress

What can you do to reduce and manage Stress?

Clinical Hypnotherapy works with the unconscious mind, which then bubbles up a change in the way you respond to stress.  With a range of self-help tools to take home to support ongoing changes that help you get back into balance and life.

There is a range of simple self-help techniques that can decrease your stress and teach you how to deal with it differently.

Breathing

One of the most successful treatments for stress is diaphragmatic breathing.

Take a nice deep breath in through your nose and then slowly (very slowly) exhale through your nose.  The rhythm of you breathing slowing out can assist your pulse in lowering, your body relaxing more and overall if practiced regularly, you will find your stress naturally decreases.

The key to success is practicing this every day.  When only practice occasionally you don’t build the momentum for change, just for maintenance.  So, practice it for 3 minutes 3 times a day and you will notice after a short time the improvement in how your feeling.

Count from 5 to 0

When you are aware of being stressed.  Stop what you are doing, count in your head and or out loud from 5 down to 0.  Once you get to 0, look around and think about something you see, hear or smell.  Keep your focus on whatever that is for a minute and allow your stress to decrease naturally.  You can use this technique often, as often as you need to change your thinking.  Remember if you can change your thinking even for a minute, you can change the way you feel, give yourself a moment to rethink and perhaps look at things from a different angle.

NOTE:  Techniques offered above are not a replacement for a medical opinion.  If stress is allowed to build it can lead to health issues.  Remember if you are suffering constant stress, and develop any of the above or other symptoms you should pop along to your Doctor and be assessed to ensure there is no underlying issue that could be causing these symptoms.

RHONDDA'S RECCOMENDED BOOKS TO READ FOR HYPNOTHERAPY

Essentials of Hypnosis (2nd Edition) - By Michael D. Yapko - (Link here)
Stephen Gilligan's collection of Hypnotherapy books - (Link here)

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Australian National Universities top 11 foods for stress relief as listed on Food Network

Avocado and Bananas. That's two things, we know, but what do these fruits have in common? They're loaded with potassium, a vital mineral for keeping blood pressure low. 

Cup of Tea. Calm frazzled nerves with a soothing cup of your favorite tea blend.

Swiss Chard. The magnesium in Swiss chard and other leafy veggies helps balance the body's stress hormone, cortisol.

Fatty Fish. The heart-healthy omega-3 fats in fish such as salmon, sardines and tuna manage adrenaline levels to help keep you calm, cool and collected. 

Whole Wheat Pretzels. When staring down the vending machine, opt for whole-grain snacks like whole-wheat pretzels or crackers. Not only will you feel fuller from the fiber, but also the carbohydrates offer an energy boost and trigger the brain to release a feel-good chemical called serotonin.

Carrots.  Munching on crunchy foods helps beat stress. Nutrient-rich carrots, celery and other crunchy, fresh veggies offer satisfying crispness that won't bog you down with too many calories. 

Milk.  Have a glass to get more B vitamins, protein, vitamin D and bone-building calcium to relieve tense muscles. Stick to the low-fat (1 percent) or skim varieties. Try drinking some milk around bedtime to bring on more restful sleep.

Yogurt.  Next time you are feeling stressed, skip the ice cream and instead enjoy a colorful yogurt parfait.

Nuts.  Stress runs you down, which leaves you open to sickness. Almonds, pistachios and walnuts can boost your immune system with vitamins and zinc. 

Chocolate.  Research indicates that dark chocolate may lower levels of stress hormones. Chocolate also contains sugar (a carbohydrate), so it releases mood-improving serotonin. It's all right to indulge; just keep the portions in check. 

Food Sources obtained from the FootNetwork.