Services We Offer

Our Center offers an holistic approach to treatment of IBS, utilizing the following treatments. To make an appointment or to find out more, please contact us.

Gastroenterologist

All patients begin with an initial assessment by the gastroenterologist, which includes a detailed history and physical examination. All prior tests and treatments are reviewed; while we have the capacity to perform all the usual GI evaluations including colonoscopy and gastroscopy, the only tests performed at our Center are those that are appropriate and not previously done. Recommendations are then offered which may include prescription medication, psychological consultation, hypnotherapy, nutritional counseling or complementary treatment.

Clinical Psychologist

Our clinical psychologist is available for consultation or more intensive therapy, for patients who have significant psychological issues or difficulties coping with IBS. Research has indicated the relevance of psychological dynamics to IBS coping and symptom relief. Both individual and or couple/family treatment is available depending on need. Additionally, the psychologist and the gastroenterologist meet regularly to discuss the best way to help all of the patients who come to the Center.

Hypnotherapy

We are the first center to offer hypnotherapy for patients with IBS in a group setting. A specific hypnotherapy protocol for IBS, called IBS focused hypnotherapy, was first reported in England more than 25 years ago. Using this protocol, significant improvement in IBS symptoms has been reported by many academic centers. We decided to use a group format, rather than the usual individual treatment, for two reasons: the benefits of group support and cost-effectiveness.
     Groups are led by a clinical psychologist who was trained at an internationally recognized IBS hypnotherapy training program in North Carolina. Sessions take place at our office Wednesdays from 6 to 6:45PM. The group meets for 45 minutes every other week for a total of 7 sessions. Total cost for all 7 sessions is $500 per person. Patients receive their own CD for use at home during the course.

Expressive Writing Project

At the MBDC, we have begun to give certain patients a therapeutic writing assignment based on extensive research by a leading psychologist, Dr. James Pennebaker. Initially, Dr. Pennebaker found that when people wrote about emotional experience, in a strictly proscribed four-day format, there were significant and beneficial effects on immune function, physician visits and psychological well being. Positive results were then found in illnesses such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and pelvic pain syndrome.
     Writing about one’s emotional experience, using an IBS related protocol that we have developed, holds promise for improving the clinical course of patients who continue to suffer from IBS.

Patient Self-Monitoring Program

One of the issues that comes up during patient visits is whether there has been improvement in both the actual severity of symptoms and the degree to which symptoms effect quality of life. To improve our ability to track a patient’s clinical course, the MBDC is initiating an interactive Web-based program, confidential to the patient and physician, in which symptoms and their effect will be monitored over time. We think this will uncover specific areas of intervention.

Acupuncturist

An examination room is devoted to acupuncture treatment with all the specialized equipment that is necessary. Acupuncture may be helpful for different aspects of functional bowel disorders such as abdominal pain and intestinal motility problems. Acupuncture is provided by an experienced licensed acupuncturist who has helped many of our patients.

Nutritionist

Nutritional consultation and advice is available weekly at the Center by a certified R.D. (registered dietician). Nutritional advice may be helpful for many aspects of functional bowel disorders including diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating. Our nutritionist has years of experience working with patients in a hospital setting.

Lactose Intolerance and Bacterial Overgrowth Testing

At the MBDC, we are able to test accurately for lactose intolerance and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Both are tested by measuring hydrogen in breath samples over a three-hour time period, after ingestion of lactose and glucose, respectively. Hydrogen increases in the breath if sugars are not properly digested and absorbed. After a positive test, dietary change and treatment is recommended.

© 2012 The Mind-Body Digestive Center, 80 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023  design strudelmedia