Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and noncardiac chest pain, can suffer from a range of severe symptoms that often substantially erode quality of life. Unfortunately, these conditions are notoriously difficult to treat, with many patients failing to improve despite being prescribed a wide variety of conventional medications. As a consequence, the potential benefits of hypnotherapy have been explored with evidence that this approach not only relieves symptoms but also appears to restore many of the putative psychological and physiological abnormalities associated with these conditions toward normal. These observations suggest that this form of treatment has considerable potential in aiding the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders and should be integrated into the ongoing medical care that these patients are receiving.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2009 Jul;57(3):279-92. Miller V, Whorwell PJ. University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Full Title: Effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHODS: 182 cases of CFS were randomly divided into an experimental group of 91 cases treated by the intelligent-turtle massage, and a control group of 91 cases treated with the conventional massage method. After 2 courses of treatment, the therapeutic effects were statistically analyzed with the accumulated score for the improved clinical symptoms; and the changes of IgA, IgM and IgG were compared in 96 cases. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the accumulated scores for improvement of the symptoms (P<0.05). A remarkable difference was found in the therapeutic effect. And there was a significant difference in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The intelligent-turtle massage is an effective therapy for relieving the physical symptoms of CFS, and it may show certain effects on the immune functions.

J Tradit Chin Med. 2009 Mar;29(1):24-8 Wang JH, Chai TQ, Lin GH, Luo L. The First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou TCM University, Guangzhou 510405, China.

2009, Crown House Publishing, Ltd., Wales

Reviewed by Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.

For mental health practitioners trained in hypnotherapeutic approaches to addictions, compulsions, and habit control, Joseph Tramontana's new book will make an excellent library addition. Hypnotically Enhanced Treatment for Addictions provides strategies and scripts for alcohol abuse, drug addiction, gambling addiction, smoking cessation, and weight loss. The methods in this book can be extended to other compulsions and impulse control disorders as well.

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