Hypnosis has number of medical uses

Hypnosis is a topic that I have been fascinated with and first began studying almost 25 years ago while pursuing my graduate degree in psychology. During the last quarter of this century I have seen hypnosis help many individuals and witnessed its use, in one form or another, in many ways.

For many individuals hypnosis conjures up images of mystery, magic and sometimes even fear. Others view it with amusement as they have perhaps witnessed it in an entertainment setting called “stage hypnosis.” Still other individuals have at times unknowingly assumed a trance-like, altered state of consciousness in various situations thus perhaps enabling them to relax more deeply or increase their ability to focus and concentrate. In still other situations, they could deal with pain more effectively.

Authorities do not all agree on the definition of hypnosis – achieving a trance-like state – the levels or depths of it, and its varying effects on different individuals.

Some individuals are more suggestible than others and therefore are able to achieve a trance-like state more readily. Willingness to be hypnotized certainly enhances and gives the professional using hypnosis an increased chance for success. Individuals frequently ask: “Can I be hypnotized if I do not want to be?” The answer is no. Cooperation and willingness to follow the treatment and instructions are essential.

Hypnosis has many uses:

• Stress management – Hypnosis is an excellent way to produce a psychophysiological state of lowered tension. At the same time it allows the opportunity for suggestions that contain information enabling the individual to hopefully cope better with the stressful situations, improve self-esteem, use time more effectively.

• Pain management – Hypnosis can help the individual to alter his perception of bodily sensations so that pain can be easier to live with. Most authorities do not believe that the goal of hypnosis in pain management is to obliterate or make the pain go away. Instead, it serves as a way of helping the individual deal more effectively with the painful sensations. Self-hypnosis can help one learn to continue developing and enhancing their own pain modification program.

• Habit control – Modification of certain undesirable habits such as overeating, smoking and other compulsive-like behaviors often can be interrupted and altered through the use of hypnosis. The undesirable habits can be altered and interrupted, but the real challenge is to help the person learn techniques that decrease the likelihood of relapse into undesirable behaviors.

• Assisting in concentration and memory – Hypnosis can enhance the ability to recall past events. It can assist persons wishing to decrease distractibility and increase their ability to concentrate and focus their attention.

Benefit from hypnosis is enhanced conducted by a trained professional. The skills and techniques necessary to make hypnosis work effectively come from three primary fields – medicine, psychology and dentistry.

Copyright c 1991 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.