Chronic abdominal pain or IBS in kids

Chronic abdominal pain, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome in children is a major, perplexing problem. Some have it as abdominal colic, others get termed as "irritable bowel syndrome" or "spastic colon". A recent study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, December 2007  showed that chronic abdominal pain or tummy ache occurs in 33% girls and 13% boys of 11-14 years of age.

Only a parents knows the magnitude of the problem of abdominal pain and how nerve-wrecking it can be for the entire family. They try all sorts of things, medicines, healers and frequently no relief. Usually no physical abnormalities are found despite extensive investigations. Now there is hope if you like to think outside of the box.

A recent study double blind randomized controlled trial compared usual medical treatment with gut directed hypnosis. The study titled " Hypnotherapy for children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial" was published in the prestigious journal Gastroenterology.

The investigators found that gut directed hypnosis was significantly superior to standard medical therapy. In fact the relief of chronic abdominal pain was sustained at 12 months in hypnosis group versus standard therapy (85% versus 25%) even though hypnosis sessions occurred for only 3 months.

Do you or someone in your family have chronic abdominal pain? Have you tried alternative therapies like hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy? If not, would you try hypnosis if other therapies are not working for you?