One of the purposes of my life seems to be to experience something physical and scary (illness, accidents, surgery), discover the best ways to deal with it, and then spread the word. I'm not always happy about this piece of karma. But I am happy about the number of people I've helped in my life as a result, a number which has risen dramatically ever since I became a licensed medical support hypnotherapist.
Medical support hypnotherapy is hypnosis in the context of dealing with chronic illness or preparing and recovering from
surgery, among other uses. According to the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University, medical hypnosis helps to control pain and symptoms, relieve anxiety related to medical procedures, manage stress, reduce nausea and vomiting, and soothe stress-related neurological problems. It also helps patients come to terms with a difficult diagnosis.
One area in which hypnosis is particularly effective is as an alternative for general anesthesia. This Washington Post article tells the story of a woman who was able to have her parathyroid glands removed without general anesthetic, after undergoing hypnosis prior to surgery. In patients for whom general anesthesia might be a risk, hypnosis offers a potential alternative.
Another excellent use of hypnotherapy is preparing for, and recovering from, surgery. By putting the patient in a relaxed state, hypnotherapy greatly reduces anxiety over the surgical procedure. Following surgery, hypnotherapy helps the patient recover, through powerful visualization that supports the immune system. For more information on the power of positive thinking, check out this article from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Hypnosis has many more medical support uses: managing IBD, reversing autoimmune disease, losing weight, quitting smoking or other addictive habits. If you’ve got a question about whether hypnosis is right for you or a loved one, contact me for your free consultation.
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