Hypnosis for Pain Control
Jun 13, 2024
The Power of Hypnosis in Pain Management
Pain affects millions globally, and while traditional treatments often involve medications and physical therapies, hypnosis offers a compelling addition for managing both acute and chronic pain, thereby enhancing the quality of life.
Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that involves focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and deep relaxation. It's about leveraging the mind's ability to influence bodily sensations and functions, not about losing control.
Practical Application of Hypnosis
Hypnosis sessions are tailored to individual pain experiences, starting with a thorough assessment of pain history and its impact on daily life. During sessions, patients enter a state of deep relaxation where positive suggestions alter pain perception. Patients are also taught self-hypnosis techniques, empowering them to manage pain independently between sessions.
Studies have shown that hypnosis significantly reduces pain and improves function. For example, individuals with chronic back pain have reported a substantial reduction in pain intensity and an increased ability to perform daily activities after a course of hypnosis sessions. Patients suffering from post-traumatic stress and associated chronic pain have experienced dramatic improvements, with pain levels decreasing and psychological well-being enhanced.
Early in my work I had a client who had a 10 year history of migraines so severe she was unable to leave her home. After her first session she felt considerable relief and as we progressed she reported her husband told her she was smiling again.
Acute pain is a sudden onset of discomfort, typically resulting from injury, surgery, or illness, and usually resolves once the underlying cause is treated. Rarely, a medical or dental procedure will be carried out using only hypnosis and most people have read of its use in childbirth.
Chronic pain, however, can persist for months or even years, long after the initial injury and often without a clear cause, significantly affecting daily life and emotional well-being.
Hypnosis is effective in managing both these situations. For acute pain, such as post-surgical pain or pain from injuries, hypnosis can provide immediate relief by calming the nervous system and reducing the perception of pain. For chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain, hypnosis works by altering the brain's perception of pain, reducing intensity and frequency. It addresses both physical and psychological aspects, breaking the cycle of pain, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. This holistic approach promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.
Psychological Well-Being and Self-Forgiveness
Additionally, hypnosis aids in self-forgiveness by helping patients manage the stress and guilt which can follow them for years. Hypnotherapists can help them process and release negative emotions, promoting mental well-being.
Hypnosis is so much more than entertainment, and I am so sorry I didn't realize a) that it isn't really arduous to learn and b) how useful it would have been in my own work as a pediatrician and emergency medicine attending. It would have made my life SO much easier and helped so many patients as well. Hypnotherapy is an evidence-based, practical method for enhancing well-being that can be used to help patients, which is why, at 70, I have a hypnotherapy practice and try to talk to as many doctors (as well as the general public) as possible about how useful this method is.
Please book a no-strings attached call if you'd like to know more.
If you'd like to talk about this or anything regarding hypnosis:-
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Podcast
Consultant Health Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist Dr. Sue Peacock from the UK
Season 1 Episode 4
Podcast: Dr Sue Peacock
Denise Billen-Mejia MD, Consulting Hypnotist and Coach worked for two decades as a clinician in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine and now, retired from medicine, she actively seeks opportunities to educate physicians and the public about hypnosis.
She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (section on Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine), and a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Contact Denise through her website www.healandberadiant.com or at [email protected].
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