MP's support for pioneering IBS work

A WARRINGTON based clinical hypnotherapist has received the backing of his local MP on his groundbreaking work, which could help save the NHS money.
During a meeting with Warrington South MP David Mowat, internationally acclaimed hypnotherapist Michael Mahoney highlighted the problems caused by a common gastrointestinal disorder that can affect up to 1 in 5 of the population at some time in life.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal condition, which can cause diarrhoea, pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and a number of other associate symptoms. Medical research is divided as to why IBS develops and to date there is no definitive cure. Medications, supplements and diets may provide only short term relief, but for many, symptoms can continue after many treatment options have failed.
The on-going physical symptoms often result in the emotional issues of anxiety, travel concerns, frustration, decreased confidence and self-esteem to name a few. Because the symptoms can be so resistant to treatment, IBS places a large burden upon the nation’s health service.
IBS affects both adults and children, with sufferers visiting their GPs more frequently. Referrals to hospital gastroenterology departments are made where expensive tests are carried out to exclude more serious conditions that can mimic IBS symptoms. The IBS diagnosis is one of exclusion and is usually made when nothing abnormal can be found.
IBS can result in increased absenteeism from work or school, bringing higher costs to employers, students miss college and later, university classes and younger children miss school, sabotaging their education. And after a year or so of ineffective treatment, the medical investigations may start again, and so the expensive cycle continues.
IBS is not classified as a serious condition that can result in death, but medical experts agree that the Quality of life (QoL) of an IBS sufferer is restricted to varying degrees, dependent upon the frequency and presentation of the IBS symptoms.
However it has been well researched that clinical hypnotherapy can significantly decrease the symptoms and frequency of IBS.
Michael has been helping IBS sufferers to live a normal life since 1991 when he saw his first IBS sufferers in the Warrington area. He has achieved this through his original gut-specific protocol, which manages and even eliminates the IBS condition completely for over 90% of his patient population. Most of his IBS sufferers were severe cases, having had IBS for many years with nothing else addressing the condition until they completed Mahoney’s protocol. Mahoney is now based at Woolston Surgery, Woolston Neighbourhood Hub, Warrington WA1 4PN.
During his meeting with Mr Mowat Michael explained the benefits of using hypnotherapy for the IBS condition. In fact hypnotherapy is one of the talking therapies recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines after 12 months of non-effective pharmacological treatment.
He also explained the high costs of IBS on the NHS and business, and the benefits of hypnotherapy, and how this effective method worked generally, but more specifically with the IBS condition.
Michael said, “The meeting was very valuable. Mr. Mowat very quickly understood the frustrations of this forgotten patient population, and was very positive in his encouragement of my work. Far from being hurried, I was listened to, important questions were asked and answered, and I felt Mr. Mowat understood the gravity of this often trivialised condition. I am delighted that my work, and its benefits for IBS sufferers everywhere, has taken a positive step forward today.”
Mr Mowat said: “Michael’s work is a fine example of what can be done with persistence and a dedication to those who suffer, while finding a possible innovative solution to NHS budget costs. It is encouraging to find dedication like this within my constituency.”
Michael has researched the IBS condition and developed specific hypnotherapy processes which are used in his successful IBS Audio Program 100 for adults. This recorded audio program is now helping IBS sufferers in over 45 countries. Michael was invited to Buckingham Palace garden party in 2011 as a result of his ‘innovative health solutions’ referring to his home use audio recordings, of which IBS is one.
Michael developed the first IBS training workshops for hypnotherapists in the country, and runs an IBS clinic in Warrington. He is co- owner and principal of Cambridge College of Hypnotherapy, and Cheshire College of Hypnotherapy, providing diploma training to those wanting to join the hypnotherapy profession.
To find out more about Michael’s IBS prgramme visit www.ibscds.com