Since 1927, hypnosis has provided a method of therapy and medical intervention for those people suffering from the afflictions of irritable bowel syndrome. People who have IBS have a tendency to mentally focus on their disorder and in doing so, promote a negative thought pattern that can disrupt everyday living. Work absenteeism, increased feelings of anxiety, a decreased mood which in turn can lead to feelings of depression have all been associated with the effects that IBS can have on an everyday Australians quality of life. Hypnotherapy provides a method of relaxation and empowerment that can focus a person’s energy on effectively managing IBS symptoms instead of simply dealing with them. Hypnotherapy for IBS is a way of re-channelling the brain’s method of perceiving and processing the pain associated with the disorder and in comparison to current pharmacological treatments of IBS, Hypnotherapy appears to have a more significant and positive effect on IBS associated symptoms over a series of regulated Hypnotherapy sessions. Using repetition and suggestibility, Hypnotherapy requires the hypnotherapist to repeat encouraging phrases regarding problems associated with IBS and drawing links to specific metaphors, such as that of a flowing river where the IBS sufferer controls the direction and flow of the water according to their needs, strengthening their control over the disorder.