Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Your thoughts drive your behaviours

I have a plan for you…

1
Establish the cause of your IBS
2
Regulate the gut flow rate
3
Remove the IBS triggers

There is a lot of evidence that shows how hypnotherapy can help you to get your gut working right, so as to banish Irritable Bowel Syndrome for good. Adjusting the automatic flow of food through your system is the only way to achieve a smooth running digestive tract.

Anxiety plays its part in irritable bowel syndrome

If you have to watch what you eat because you are worried about needing the toilet, feeling bloated, or having abdominal pain, the chances are you’ve got Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But, you probably already know that. If you don’t, you should get it checked by your GP. If you have been diagnosed with IBS then controlling it is probably taking over your life, from cutting out food types to swallowing Immodium regularly.

Although some people manage to control to a degree, most people suffer in silence, trying to live a normal life. Most fail and find that their social, work and home life all suffer because going out becomes a huge drama and so they tend to do it less and less.

Often people with IBS develop a toilet anxiety about finding a toilet when they “REALLY” need it or simply be making sure they are always near a toilet and then get anxious when someone else uses it. Of course, if you have IBS the last thing you need is to become anxious, because when somebody becomes anxious they go into fight or flight mode, and part of that process involves attempting to get rid of what’s in the stomach so they can run or fight better. This can cause a whole host of issues because it can make their IBS far worse.

Okay, but what can I do about it?

Well, I follow the approach that Professor Peter Whorwell takes, the country’s leading authority on treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He is a Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology in the School of Medicine, and Director of the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service. Through his research (some 250+ papers written so far) he has found that the best way to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome is by using hypnotherapy.

For over 20 years Professor Whorwell has been researching the use of gut-directed hypnosis. In a recent study, 250 patients who have suffered from IBS for over two years were given twelve one-hour sessions, during which they were given an explanation of how the gut works and what causes their symptoms.

During the hypnotherapy, I show the client how to gain control of their gut function by changing the signals that the brain sends to the gut. Professor Whorwell believes that hypnotherapy for IBS treatment has around a 75% success rate. My clients report that it helps all the symptoms.

Professor Peter Whorwell believes that hypnotherapy for IBS can be a valuable option for what can be a life-long condition. His research shows that the benefits are experienced for at least 5 years. It is probably far longer than that, but the research only goes that far on follow-up.

How can I help you?

I help understand, control and resolve the anxiety my clients’ experience, and at the same time work with the subconscious mind to regulate and normalise their gut function. By taking control of their gut they are able to return to their normal life, whatever that is for them.

Most clients see a difference within just a few sessions. On average, I see my clients for 6-8 sessions but these tend to spread over a long period of time, but, of course everyone is different.

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    What our clients say about us

    We’re proud to have helped people like you overcome their challenges

    N K
    N K
    2022-04-18
    Howard has helped me tackle anxiety which I have struggled with over the last 20 years. I had tried medication, CBT and counselling and nothing had helped. He has helped me to understand the power in my own mind to overcome my anxieties and be more positive. I have learnt to re-frame and stop overthinking and being negative. He has helped me to deal with some major life events that were haunting me. My family and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my mindset and the way I tackle issues that ordinarily would have resulted in debilitating panic attacks. Could not more highly recommend Howard.
    ss b
    ss b
    2022-03-29
    Firstly Mr Howard is very professional throughout the process. He looks after like a mother, he politely check if the techniques are being implemented with the clear understanding. He is very humble and down to earth in approaching very sensitive issues of the individual. He then designs the program according to the specific requirements of each individual. He changes his approach instantaneously if clients struggles to visualise or do something. I found him very dedicated to his work, he responds 24/7. Sends reminders, study material to bring positive energy in every aspects of life. God bless you Mr Howard. It is a blessing to have a mentor like you.
    Janice Graham
    Janice Graham
    2022-02-07
    On the 20th November 2021 I suddenly and from nowhere, developed Tinnitus - to say this hit me like a ton of bricks is an understatement. Howard, who can relate to the condition of Tinnitus, was able to completely understand my situation, and help me through it. We completed a session and Howard was able to calm my nerves and my racing brain by teaching me some coping methods through Controlled Breathing and Tapping. Howards calm and informative ways allows a person to understand what anxiety and stress is doing to their bodies, and how to overcome it. He very kindly sent me a tape to listen to for Controlled Breathing and Self hypnosis which has helped me immensely when I feel anxiety creeping up on me. Thank you Howard for the informative zoom session on Tapping, Controlled Breathing and Self Hypnosis.
    Penelope Nanton
    Penelope Nanton
    2022-02-07
    Have had many hypnotherapy sessions with Howard over the years. He has helped me through many difficult passages and taught me how to deal with stress and anxiety and taught me how to look at life with a different vision. Howard is always there for me when most needed if I slip backwards or if I am faced with a challenge. In addition to this his seminars are a great place to learn and continue learning. Thank you Howard for always being there and all you have helped me achieve.
    Steven Howard
    Steven Howard
    2022-01-15
    Howard treated me for ptsd and my stress was under control after the first session. His hypnotherapy technique made me feel like I’d had the best deep sleep I’d ever had and that was in an hour session! Unbelievable results that I cannot thank him enough for. I recommend Positive Belief to anyone with stress or anxiety problems like I had as an overworked paramedic.
    Tony Charlton
    Tony Charlton
    2021-12-07
    Having smoked for 38 years I have given up thanks to Howard's positive therapy. I gave up before our first zoom meeting and the whole experience has been inspirational. I'm a great believer that you get out of life what you put in. Well I can honestly say that in this case I have put some effort in but have got so much more out of the experience. If this helps just one person to give up like me then im happy . Many thanks Howard .
    Manjit Dhillon
    Manjit Dhillon
    2021-12-06
    I had been a “Yo-Yo” Dieter, been a “High Volume” eater and a “All or Nothing” person all my life. I lost the weight and then regained it as I never worked on how to lose weight and maintain WHILE eating healthy foods. Having gone through the menopause (losing focus , memory and gaining weight around my tummy ) I thought, that was it and I would never be able to lose weight again. Also I lived on” Artificial Sweeteners” and low fat foods for as long as I can remember. Howard kick started my healthy eating plan. He provided the structure, the accountability and techniques that helped to work with me to lose 20lbs in 6 weeks (while still feeling full and eating lots of food). I know that I was his toughest client. I now have everything that I need to continue on my own until I reach my goal. It is all sustainable weight loss. I no longer have any artificial sweeteners in my tea,( I had been looking for ways to give up on it for years). I had information overload about diets. Howard explained that stress was the biggest culprit and learning to work with breathing, tapping, coping techniques and hypnotherapy helped the body & mind work more effectively and in harmony to achieve the goals desired. Howard helped to be more mindful and calmer in the whole approach. Thank you Howard. You are a Star!!!
    Elaine Conaghan
    Elaine Conaghan
    2021-07-02
    Delighted with my progress in 6 weeks of working with Howard Ratcliffe I am mentally physically and spiritually transformed! Howard is a genius in motivational and intense support! Howard has monitored and supported my progress for 7 weeks over 16 hours a day 7 days a week . I’m in awe of his dedication to me snd I owe to him my success although he claims it is me!! I would highly recommend Howard, I will definitely be coming back for alternative treatments and I suggest if you really want to change your holistic self then you invest in Howard because he will genuinely be invested in you!.
    Georgia Wilkinson
    Georgia Wilkinson
    2021-05-13
    I had been suffering with chronic pain in my stomach for over a year, struggling with walking, sleeping, attending school and living a normal 16/17 year old life. After having countless tests, scans and appointments through the hospital and having no real results or diagnosis, I was getting more and more frustrated. The only thing I was advised to do was continue taking pain killers and seek support from the pain clinic to handle living with the pain. The only times, during this period, that I felt even a remote sense of relief from the pain was when I had acupuncture sessions. However, this only lasted for a few hours. This all changed after travelling to see Howard. My sessions with Howard were empowering, informative and life-changing. He was very knowledgeable and helped me to understand how the brain and body processes pain and stress. After the hypnotherapy, I was feeling the most relaxed and hopeful I had felt in a long time. He has a very calming presence and was both very professional and easy to speak to, making me feel at ease throughout. Now, over a year on, I am happy to say I have been pain-free since then, with only the occasional flare-up (of which I can control, using the methods Howard taught me). I regularly listen to the tapes that Howard has sent me and have integrated the methods and techniques he taught me into my daily life. I am very appreciative of Howard’s help and support, and I will forever be grateful for how much he has helped me to improve my life and health. I would definitely highly recommend Howard to anyone who would benefit from help and support in changing their life for the better, no matter how big or small their challenges may be. Thank you Howard 🙂
    Flower Power
    Flower Power
    2020-12-15
    After one virtual relaxation and meditation session with Howard I was able to sleep better that I had in months... a whole night of unbroken sleep and I feel like I can tackle the world again! It was great to be able to access this even with Covid-19 restrictions and I really look forward to my next session. Many thanks Howard.

    Fully accredited & certified

    (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists & Hypnotherapists)

    Accredited Hypnotherapy Training Course Trainer

    Member of The International Society of Paediatric Hypnotherapists T.I.S.P.H

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