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Hypnosis is a misunderstood and undervalued method that is currently available to assist in relieving pain and discomfort. Most people, when they think of hypnosis, think of stopping smoking, or weight management, or looking ridiculous on stage. Yet, hypnosis has been used for hundreds of years to help with depression, addiction, pain and phobias.
A wide variety of conditions have been found to respond to hypnotic suggestion. A short list of these conditions include (in no particular order): asthma, eczema, depression, sexual problems, ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, stammering, smoking, weight reduction, anorexia, bulimia, shyness, pains of all descriptions (headache, neuralgia, sciatica and toothache), sleeplessness, functional and organic paralysis, chlorosis (anaemia), menstrual problems, childbirth, pregnancy (morning sickness, dietary obsessions, heat discomfort, tiredness), loss of appetite, all nervous digestive disturbances, constipation, some rheumatism, lumbago, stammering, seasickness, bedwetting, chorea, anxiety disorders, phobias, and bad habits of all kinds. Whew! That’s quite a list.
There are many case studies where hypnosis has been effectively used for pain control and reduced anxiety, before, during, and after surgeries, dental procedures, and childbirth. The results from the use of hypnosis for these medical procedures were that the patient experienced either no pain or the reduced need for anesthesia during the procedure.
Individuals that have used hypnosis for dental, surgical, and child birthing have experienced a much speedier recovery and found that they needed less drugs to manage post operative pain afterwards. In fact, many of the patients have felt so good that they have forgotten that their body has just gone through a significant trauma. Remember to take care of yourself and give your body time to recover.
So, given all of the benefits of using hypnotic suggestion, why don’t more people use hypnosis? Part of it is that people just don’t understand what hypnosis is or what it can and cannot do. Have you ever daydreamed? That is a trancelike state and it is similar to the experience of hypnosis.
The root of the word hypnosis means sleep, and yet, while experiencing hypnosis, you are not asleep! You are in a very relaxed state, and you are totally aware of your surroundings. In fact, the very deepest stages of hypnosis, where you have a negative hallucination (you don’t see things that are there), is experienced by all of us. Have you ever misplaced your car keys, or your glasses, and looked all over for them, only to discover that they are right in front of you! Congratulations, you have experienced the deepest form of hypnosis, and, I would bet, that you were totally awake the entire time (well most of you anyway).
Hypnosis uses imagination and a willingness to experience the benefits of a relaxed state prior to surgery, dental procedures or child birth. Given all of the benefits that hypnosis can provide, why not explore what it can do for you? If you are anxious about an upcoming medical procedure, why not consider if hypnosis can help?
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