Hypnosis is used in a variety of settings - from emergency rooms to dental offices. But what is the evidence in favour of using it? Clinical studies suggest that hypnosis may improve immune function, increase relaxation, decrease stress, and ease pain and feelings of anxiety. Hypnotherapy can also reduce the fear and anxiety that some people feel before medical or dental procedures. For example, studies show that dental patients who underwent hypnosis had a significantly higher threshold for pain than those who were not using hypnosis. Hypnosis may also improve recovery time and reduce anxiety and pain following surgery. Clinical trials on burn patients suggest that hypnosis decreases pain (enough to even replace pain medication in some cases) and speeds healing. Generally, clinical studies show that using hypnosis may reduce your need for medication, improve your mental and physical condition before an operation, and reduce the time it takes to recover
Visiting a hypnotherapist can also help you learn self regulation skills. For instance, someone with arthritis may learn to turn down pain like the volume on a radio. Hypnotherapy can also be used to help manage chronic illness as it can be used to enhance a sense of control, which is often lacking when someone has a chronic illness.
I promised you a list, so here are a few other problems or conditions that may respond to hypnotherapy:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Tension headaches
- Alopecia areata
- Asthma
- Phobias
- Insomnia
- Addictions
- Bedwetting
- Fibromyalgia
- Phobias
- Pregnancy anxiety, labour pain and birth
- Skin disorders (such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema)
- Stress
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Cancer related pain
- Weight loss
- Eating disorders
- High blood pressure
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
If you would like to find out more about how hypnotherapy could help you, please contact Christy for a free telephone consultation on 01252 334377 or email: Christy@christyhypnotherapy.com.
(This blog was inspired by and uses information presented in an article appearing in the Hypnotherapy Training International publication.)