Irritable bowel syndrome: complementary therapies to enrich treatment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a real puzzle for the millions of individuals suffering from it worldwide, causing pain, bloating, and digestive issues. Affecting about 4% of the global population, IBS can be particularly difficult to manage. With a majority of women affected and a significant impact on quality of life, it is imperative to explore solutions that go beyond medication. Far from sticking to conventional prescriptions, many patients turn to complementary therapies that combine natural and medicinal approaches, offering considerable comfort. So, what are these therapies that promise to enhance the care journey of those suffering from this delicate condition? Let’s explore them together!

Visceral osteopathy
Therapeutic hypnosis
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Pilates practices
Mindfulness meditation

Visceral osteopathy and irritable bowel syndrome

Visceral osteopathy! Many talk about it, some praise it, but what is its real weight in managing IBS? Put simply, visceral osteopathy aims to treat internal dysfunctions through gentle organ manipulations. The idea is to release tensions to free the body from pain. However, not all hopes should be placed on this method!

According to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patient Association (APSSII), over 40% of people with moderate to severe IBS have already tried this practice. However, the results of a recent study presented at the March 2025 gastroenterology congress did not bring good news. Dr. Fabien Wuestenberghs published his findings, noting that osteopathy did not show significantly different results from a placebo. Yes, you read that right! In fact, this study proved that the effect of osteopathy, while promising for some, does not stand up to rigorous scientific evaluation.

What science says about osteopathy

To give you a clear idea, here are some results from the IBSOMT study presented at the congress:

Method	Improvement rate	Observations
Visceral osteopathy	0 to 10%	No significant effect compared to placebo.
Placebo	30 to 40%	Spontaneous improvement in several patients.

Despite these results, it is important not to dismiss it prematurely! Some patients report significant improvements. The key may lie in the placebo effect inherent to this type of treatment. Suffice to say, pain can sometimes be alleviated by the mere assurance of a treatment. It’s up to you to decide if you want to take this path.

Therapeutic hypnosis: mental support in IBS

Speaking of complementary approaches, therapeutic hypnosis has made a name for itself in the world of IBS. It’s a method that carves out a place in the therapeutic arsenal, addressing not only physical pains but also the psychological aspects of the syndrome. If you’ve never thought about it, get ready to discover something unexpected.

Recent studies, especially a UK study involving over 1000 patients, revealed that 76% of those who tried hypnosis noted a significant reduction in their symptoms after three months. Yes, you read that right, 76%! Imagine no longer being plagued by pains and bloating that accompany you daily, just thanks to hypnosis sessions.

What makes hypnosis effective?

In addition to the psychological aspect, hypnosis acts physically by normalizing visceral sensitivity. But how does it actually work? Here’s how hypnosis influences the body:

Normalization of visceral sensitivity: Reducing excessive reactivity of the colon.
Improvement of transit: Optimizing intestinal contractions.
Stress management: Better management of anxiety often linked to symptoms.

For lasting effects, patients are advised to learn self-hypnosis to prolong these benefits. So, if you’re still hesitating, know that the results speak for themselves. By adopting it, you can envision a more serene well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): the art of deprogramming

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is the new favorite of specialists for treating IBS. Why? Because it targets the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often intertwined in the stress mosaic related to this condition. It’s not just a therapy, it’s a real training for change.

A meta-analysis has shown that CBT can lead to a 40% reduction in symptoms compared to control groups. These figures speak volumes about the effectiveness of such a method. But how does it really work?

How CBT Works: Unlocking Patterns

Here are some key elements that CBT addresses:

Identification of negative thoughts: Replacing self-destructive thought patterns with constructive approaches.
Anxiety management methods: Learning to use breathing and relaxation to reduce anxiety related to symptoms.
Exposure practices: Gradually getting used to anxiety-inducing situations to desensitize the stress response.

The results are there: patients report a significant improvement in their quality of life and a decrease in abdominal pains. So, if it seems a bit like magic to you, know that behind it lie concrete and effective tools.

Treatment Type	Symptom Reduction	Positive effects on quality of life
CBT	40%	Significant improvement
Control Group	10%	Minimal improvement

Get ready to say goodbye to days of constant discomfort. With CBT, you not only receive tools to manage your symptoms but also reshape your understanding of pain.

Pilates Practices: Moving to Soothe

Who would have thought that Pilates, this trendy discipline, could enhance intestinal well-being? Recently, a study examined the effects of Pilates combined with dietary advice on women with constipation-predominant IBS. The results are as encouraging as one could hope for!

But what makes Pilates so effective? In addition to improving posture, it acts as a natural stress reliever, which has a positive impact on intestinal function.

Results: Moving towards Good Digestion

Participants noted significant reductions in symptom severity. Here are key data on the subject:

Criteria	Pilates Group	Placebo Group
Symptom Improvement (IBS-SSS)	66.75%	38.28%
Ease of Bowel Movements	Optimized Scores	Less Convincing Scores

By integrating dietary advice into their Pilates routine, a true duo operates for digestive happiness. If you add a Zen mind to that, the effect will be even more optimized.

Mindfulness Meditation: Calming Body and Mind

Taking a moment for yourself in a fast-paced world is a luxury few can afford. However, mindfulness meditation is increasingly recognized for its great benefits on IBS-related issues. It teaches you to pause, to breathe, to connect with your body.

A recent study revealed that 76% of people who practiced daily meditation for six months experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms, not to mention the adverse impact of ensuing anxiety. Confront your pain face to face, but make it hit rock bottom without letting it sink you.

How Meditation Works

Here are a few points that mindfulness meditation offers you:

Stress reduction: Decreasing the body’s stress response, often a trigger for pain.
Improved emotional well-being: Cultivating daily positivity.
Focus on the present moment: A return to self that slows the negative influence of intrusive thoughts.

So, even if taking 10 minutes a day for yourself seems unlikely, adding it to your daily routine could prove to be a game-changer. It’s up to you to take the first step towards serenity.