NOVA Hypnosis and Wellness
1485 Chain Bridge Road
304
McLean, VA 22101
(571) 295-7371
More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Can Hypnosis Help Manage Your Pain?
Do you hurt constantly? Are you wrestling with pain from cancer, arthritis, TMJ, back or neck issues, migraines, or fibromyalgia? Are you tired of dealing with all the side effects of pain medication? Do you wish there was some other way of finding relief?
How Can Hypnosis Help?
Clients typically report some level of pain relief after only one session through a powerful, interactive, and fun process of hypnosis, where the hypnotist guides the client into hypnosis through a series of suggestions.
Once at the appropriate level of hypnosis, the client's subconscious mind is optimally receptive to the combination of positive suggestions co-created by the hypnotist and the client during the intake portion of the session. Because hypnosis occurs on the level of the subconscious mind, change can be more dramatic, noticeable, and permanent than when only the conscious mind is engaged.
While regular periods of relaxation can help to alleviate pain by reducing stress and tension in the body, hypnosis is far more than just “relaxation.” Hypnosis is an intense state of focused concentration akin to what athletes experience when they are “in the zone.” If you have ever found yourself daydreaming behind the wheel of your car and arrived home without remembering how you got there, you have already experienced hypnosis.
Ever heard of the term “muscle memory?” By guiding the client into this intense state of focused concentration, the hypnotist helps the client's body replace the body's memory of pain and discomfort with memories of physical, emotional and mental comfort and well-being. Oftentimes, when there is no acute source of injury or trauma to the body, chronic pain can actually be the result of the body's memory of pain.
Research
Hypnosis is gaining more recognition nationwide as an established option for mitigating pain. In fact, according to results from randomized controlled studies published in 2003 by David R. Patterson and Mark P. Jensen in the psychological bulletin Hypnosis and Clinical Pain, hypnosis had a significant and reliable impact on both procedural and chronic pain.
Other research, published by Gary Elkins, Mark P. Jensen, and David R. Patterson in a 2007 issue of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, showed that hypnosis was more effective for chronic pain than physical therapy or education.
Some hypnotists are certified pain management specialists with unique training in the use of hypnosis for managing chronic or acute pain. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain and are ready for natural, safe, and effective relief, you may want to consider scheduling a consultation.
It is recommended that you always seek the advice of a licensed mental health or medical provider prior to starting any new treatment plan or with any questions regarding your medical or mental health condition.
Hypnotists are not medical or mental health providers and neither diagnose nor treat mental health or medical conditions, nor do they provide counseling or medical care. Please be aware these services are meant to supplement, not substitute, for the care provided by your licensed mental health or medical provider.
Other Articles You May Find of Interest...
- The Health Benefits of Zeolite: Detoxification and Beyond
- Vaping 101: Understanding the Basics for New Users
- How Powdered Mushrooms Can Supercharge Your Day
- Medical Marijuana for Anxiety and Stress: What Science Says
- Herbal Remedies for Stress and Sleep: Why Lavender is a Must-Have
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Natural Approach To Healing
- Mindfulness and Movement