Many people with IBS are surprised to learn that there is hope for IBS patients. Scientific studies show promising results for many IBS patients - even those with more severe symptoms. Some of the most encouraging medical research is conducted at the Behavioral Medicine Clinic of the Pain Center and supported through a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Volunteers receive treatment at NO CHARGE. Treatments feature drug-free interventions that emphasize symptom self-management training, behavioral modification, patient support, and lifestyle management. Treatment involves only 10 weekly appointments. After treatment ends, we schedule two brief appointments over the next nine months to monitor your progress. Because high quality research shows our treatments have proven track records in substantially reducing IBS symptoms, possible benefits to participants include reduction of IBS symptoms and improved health. Participation will also give you the chance to receive promising new treatments before they become available to the community, as well as help others with IBS, which is a reward in itself.

Because we want to make sure that the people we accept are good candidates for treatment, we do a careful assessment by telephone and at the clinic before we offer treatment. The assessment begins with a brief, confidential telephone screening. Persons who are interested and appear appropriate are sent a set of questionnaires that will tell us about your symptoms, health, and treatment history. This information is important because it gives us a clearer picture of your medical problem. Remember, understanding your IBS is the first step in helping you take control of it. You will also be scheduled for two evaluations by a team of expert doctors, technicians, and support staff. Following that interview, we can talk to you knowledgeably regarding treatment options.