Evidence and Hope for Parents
Recurrent abdominal pain is a common and frustrating experience for many children and their families. It can interfere with school attendance, disrupt sleep, limit social activities, and create anxiety for both the child and the parent.
Often, these episodes have no clear medical cause, which can leave families feeling helpless and unsure of what to do next.
However, there is growing evidence that hypnotherapy offers a promising solution.
A Cochrane Review, a gold standard in evaluating clinical research, investigated the use of hypnosis to treat recurrent abdominal pain in children. The review concluded that hypnotherapy can significantly reduce pain frequency and intensity, providing meaningful relief and improving quality of life.
What the Research Tells Us
The Cochrane Review examined studies involving children diagnosed with functional abdominal pain, meaning that no underlying medical disease was identified. In many cases, this pain is linked to stress, emotional regulation difficulties, or gut-brain interaction issues. The review included randomised controlled trials that compared hypnotherapy with standard care, such as reassurance or dietary advice.
The findings were striking. Children who received hypnotherapy experienced a dramatic reduction in pain episodes. Many reported fewer days off school, better sleep, and a greater sense of control over their symptoms. Some children even became symptom-free during the follow-up periods. Importantly, the improvements were sustained, with benefits continuing months after treatment ended.
Why This Is So Important
For parents, a diagnosis of functional abdominal pain can be frustrating. On one hand, you are relieved that no serious illness has been found. On the other, you are left with a child in genuine distress, and traditional approaches often offer limited relief. This is where hypnotherapy can fill a crucial gap.
Unlike medications, which may only provide temporary relief or come with side effects, hypnotherapy addresses the underlying patterns that may be contributing to the pain. It helps children change how their brain responds to physical sensations, reframe their experience, and access inner resources for calm and comfort.
“When a child learns to calm their body from the inside out, they are no longer just managing pain, they are building lifelong emotional tools.”
Paul White, TISPH Founder
How Hypnotherapy Works for Abdominal Pain
Hypnotherapy uses guided imagery, storytelling, and focused attention to help children enter a calm, receptive state. In this state, the therapist introduces suggestions that target pain perception and emotional regulation. For example, a child might imagine sending warmth or healing light to their stomach, or visualise a protective animal calming the sensations in their body.
These techniques are not simply distractions. They change how the brain interprets signals from the gut. The gut and brain are closely linked through the vagus nerve and other pathways, and when a child feels anxious, their gut often responds with discomfort. Hypnotherapy helps break this loop by giving the child new ways to respond to sensations and stress.
Sessions are age-appropriate and playful. Children are often excited to use their imagination in ways that feel natural and enjoyable. They may even continue the visualisations at home or use drawings and stories to reinforce the positive messages from their sessions.
Who Can Benefit
While the studies focused on children with recurrent abdominal pain without organic disease, children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also showed significant improvement. Many children with IBS experience bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation alongside pain, and these symptoms can also be reduced through hypnotherapy.
Children aged 6 to 16 responded especially well in the reviewed studies. Younger children may benefit from shorter sessions and simpler language, while older children and teens may appreciate having more input and control in the process. The key factor is working with a therapist who is trained to adapt techniques to the child’s developmental level and emotional needs.
What to Expect from Treatment
Typically, a course of treatment involves four to six sessions spaced over a few weeks. Each session builds on the last, helping the child become more skilled at entering a relaxed state and using their inner resources. Therapists may also teach breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, and relaxation strategies for use between sessions.
Parents are often invited to support the process by reinforcing positive changes at home. This might include helping the child practise visualisations at bedtime, encouraging the use of calming phrases or metaphors, or simply validating their progress with praise and patience.
Parental Insights and Support
Many parents report that after hypnotherapy, their child not only experiences less pain, but also becomes more confident, emotionally balanced, and able to express their feelings. The process is empowering. It shifts the focus from what is wrong to what the child can do to feel better.
“Hypnotherapy gives children a voice and a sense of agency. They stop feeling like something is happening to them and start feeling like they are doing something about it.” – Paul White
It is also a relief for parents to see their child smile again, return to school, or enjoy meals without fear of discomfort. That emotional ripple effect benefits the entire family.
The Importance of Finding the Right Therapist
Choosing a hypnotherapist who is trained to work with children is essential. Look for therapists registered with reputable bodies such as the International Society of Paediatric Hypnotherapists (TISPH), who understand both the therapeutic techniques and the developmental stages of childhood.
These professionals will take time to build rapport with your child, explain the process in a way that is comforting and engaging, and work at a pace that suits your child’s needs.
Conclusion
The Cochrane Review provides strong evidence that hypnotherapy can be a highly effective treatment for recurrent abdominal pain in children. It is safe, child-friendly, and empowers young people to take control of their symptoms in a positive and lasting way.
For parents navigating the challenges of chronic pain with no clear cause, this research offers real hope. Hypnotherapy not only relieves discomfort, it builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and lifelong coping skills. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds children that they are not broken, just in need of the right support to unlock their natural ability to feel better.
Research Reference
Rutten, J. M. T. M., Reitsma, J. B., Vlieger, A. M., Benninga, M. A., & Di Lorenzo, C. (2013). Gut-directed hypnotherapy for functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(10). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010872