Some of the more popular uses for hypnosis include helping those to stop smoking. Those that practice hypnosis believe that by implanting suggestive thoughts into a person's subconscious mind, they can alter the reason why some people smoke. However, most hypnotherapists will tell you that the hypnosis script must be catered specifically to that person's needs to help with the problem when it is more mental. But when it is physical, the spectrum is a little broader.
One common disease related to pain of the body that hypnosis has been proven to help with is arthritis. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints that leads to swelling and most time pain. Larry Volz is a former magician who took up hypnosis 15 years ago. He is the executive director for the American Hypnosis Clinic and has held this position for almost four years now. Volz said that a qualified hypnotherapist should have very little problem treating someone with arthritis.
"Pain is just a sensation, but suffering is when you associate that sensation with negativity," Volz said. "For instance, you might have tightness in your hands from arthritis and you call it pain, but you can teach your subconscious mind to interpret it as just a particular sensation that's natural and it becomes less painful. It's a psychological thing. I think talent and practice are a very big part of how well hypnosis can work."
Again, hypnosis helps with pain management not only with arthritis but several other painful diseases as well. Hypnosis has been known to show great strides in dental procedures also. In addition, hypnosis has been used in cases of surgery and childbirth as a form of anesthesia. Hypnosis has been known to help many clients gain control over chronic pains as well.
But even as a treatment that has an astounding success rate, the way hypnosis works is still a mystery to most. The most common reason as to how hypnosis helps with pain is because relaxation of the mind reduces the anticipation of the pain. Putting our attention on pain makes it worse. But with hypnosis, we can distract our mind away from the pain.
"Dr. Dan Lester has a patient who has arthritis and had to have hip and shoulder surgery," Volz said. "She could not lift her shoulders past a certain height and couldn't get up stairs. But now, she has made a huge recovery with the help of hypnosis."
"She made it up the steps of the airplane and is going to see her grandchild for the first time in years," he added. "She was so excited because she can move and walk and get around again. Hypnosis is terrific."
