Hypnosis as Adjunct Treatment to Medical Care

The use of hypnosis as an adjunct treatment to medical care is well supported by research. Hypnosis is state of attentive, focused concentration and peripheral awareness.

This state of intensified attention and receptiveness can increase the patient’s responsiveness to an idea or to a set of ideas [called suggestions]. Components of hypnosis include “suggestibility, absorption [the capacity to intensely focus on a selected theme], dissociation [compartmentalized awareness of different experiences], and the ability to alter one’s attention at will.” Neurophysiologist theory or neodissociation proposes that hypnosis induces an altered state of consciousness and cognitive processes are altered in predictable ways. Hypnosis is believed to activate subsystems of control that have psychological and physiological effects, i.e. glove anesthesia.

Hypnosis is indicated for persons who have illness exacerbated by stress and anxiety, who are willing and motivated to learn and practice hypnosis on a regular basis, and who are moderately to highly hypnotizable. Other areas that hypnosis can have a positive effect/s are as follows: Stress management, weight loss, smoking cessation, phobias, natural childbirth, major health problems, pain, self-esteem, motivation, learning, sports, creativity, sleep, anxiety, panic attacks, child abuse, loss or separation issues, surgery, and depression.

Contraindications include fear of hypnosis [education may allow the patient to become an
accepting hypnotic subject], patients who are receiving secondary gains from the condition being treated by hypnosis [secondary gains issue must be resolved first], patients who have epileptic seizure disorders or some form of depression, patients with paranoid characters, borderline personalities, or schizophrenia.

Experience and education are critical when selecting the best hypnotist or hypnotherapist for a particular condition. State licensure is almost nonexistent. Factors that are helpful in evaluating a hypnotherapist include the following:

. degree from an accredited college
. licensed professional
. registered or certified by reputable certifying body i.e. American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers etc.
. hours of training and hand-on-instruction
. liability insurance
. years of experience
. current continuing education
. success rate with specific cases
. patient/professional references

Self-Hypnosis can be done by the patient alone after a period of training. Hypnosis is integrative mind/body technique that can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.

In my approach with this patient, I felt it was critical to look at underlying issues that may be contributing to the back pain. Frequently, low back pain is associated with an underlying sense of insecurity or instability perhaps from some event that happened long ago. At the beginning of the session, I ask the patient about his story, emotional states and pain levels to enable him to become more aware of the situation and his feelings. This information is not used to tailor or modify the hypnosis session. In fact, in order to be consistent during the inductions, I read from a script. The hypnotic exercise is aimed at giving the patient a tool to become more self-aware and to access subconscious information about the pain. I ask the patient to label one hand as the symptom and the other as the solution. As his inner wisdom begins to recognize the solution, his hands move closer together. Throughout the exercise, different symptoms may emerge. The patient is encouraged to go wherever his subconscious mind takes him because therein lies the not only the underlying emotional issues, but also their solution.

References:

Bowers, K. S. (1992). Imagination and dissociation in hypnotic responding. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 40, 253-275

Evans, C., & Richardoson, P. H. (1988). Improved recovery and reduced postoperative stay after therapeutic suggestions during general anesthesia. Lancet, 2(8609), 491-493.

Freeman, L. W. (2001). Best practices in complementary and alternative
medicine. An Aspen Publication: Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Hadley, J. & Staudacher, C. (1996). Hypnosis for change. 3rd edition. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Pinnell, C. M. & Covino , N.A. (2000) Empirical findings on the use of hypnosis in medicine: A critical review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 48(2), 170-194.

Rossi, E. L. (1993). The psychobiology of mind-body- healing: New concepts of therapeutic hypnosis. New York: Norton.

Stephen, L., and Rhue, J. (eds.), (1991),"Theories of hypnosis: Current models and perspectives." Guilford Press: New York.