Typical dietary tactics to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) usually have short-lived effects because the avoidance of certain foods doesn’t seem to tackle the root of the problem, which is an overly sensitized digestive system reacting to stress.

Reporting on this widespread problem, the British Medical Journal notes that an increasing number of gastroenterologists are now looking to hypnotherapy to help their patients cope with the unpleasant and often painful symptoms. Dr Roland Valori, editor of the journal Frontline Gastroenterology, said that of 100 patients treated, 90 found that hypnotherapy significantly improved their symptoms and gave them more control over the condition.