Psychotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychotherapy, including details on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, methods, outcomes.

Review article: The history of hypnotherapy and its role in the irritable bowel syndrome.

Whorwell PJ

Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK. peter.whorwell@smuht.nwest.nhs.uk

Hypnosis is a technique by which an individual can gain a degree of control over physiological as well as psychological function. This paper reviews the history of the phenomenon as well as the accumulating evidence that it is effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improving the quality of life of sufferers. The physiological effects of hypnosis are also discussed coupled with an outline of how a hypnotherapy service might be provided.

Published 24 November 2005 in Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 22(11): 1061-7.
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