The Challenge of Individual Pain Management

The Challenge of Individual Pain Management

This posting explores how hypnosis is used effectively for the relief of chronic pain and pain management. The pain experience is multifactorial, affecting individuals physically, psychologically, sociologically, and spiritually. Through the exploration of pain and its many facets, I touch on the basic principles behind why hypnosis is effective.

The Pain Experience
o Physical
o Psychological
o Sociological
o Spiritual
Figure 1 – There are four elements
of the pain experience.

Hypnosis is a fascinating domain of clinical research and practice. It involves the study of how seemingly ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things by using their minds. The mind is used to focus on mental images, thoughts, and ideas that influence the human body’s response in very special ways. [YAPKO – R]

From Mesmer’s studies and Braid’s practices, we know there is a great deal of flexibility in what the mind experiences. Individuals become so deeply absorbed in their daily life experiences, that they permit their body to become more comfortable, even in the presence of injury. This is the foundation of hypnotic analgesia or hypnotic anesthesia. The ability to make the body more comfortable represents the most sophisticated use of hypnosis.

Hypnotic analgesia is the use of hypnosis to reduce or diminish bodily sensations. It allows for a decrease in the pain sensation. A more powerful tool for pain management is hypnotic anesthesia. The hypnotic anesthesia process refers to the total elimination of sensations and pain, allowing for complete relief of symptoms. This complete relief of pain leads to a common misconception about pain management through hypnosis. People assume that if pain exists and the pain is reduced through hypnosis, then the pain is psychological or in other works, the pain is in your head. Therefore the paint is not real.

Nothing is further from the truth. Hypnotic anesthesia eliminates real pain. For example, hypnosis has been reported as the sole anesthetic in major surgical procedures (hypnotic anesthesia). Resent research also advocates the use of hypnosis prior to surgery to lessen pain, shorten hospital stays, and reduce subsequent nausea and vomiting. The incision and physical effects of surgery are obviously quite real and often dramatic. The elimination of the sensations and pain of surgery through the use of hypnosis is equally as real. Regardless of the situation, the application of hypnosis is routine. The same principles used to apply hypnotic anesthesia for surgical patients are also used in numerous situations to help people manage chronic pain, end addictions, and eliminate fears. These useful applications of hypnosis are discussed in more detail later in this book.

Hypnosis as an adjunct to medicine and surgery allows one to decrease pain and enhance healing. Often, a person with chronic pain may feel victimized and helpless. Hypnosis gives the person greater self-control. This self-control decreases the fight or flight response. Self-control also decreases the level of stress hormones. Both the reduction in fight or flight, and the decrease in stress hormones can lead to a significant decrease in pain.

If you have experienced hypnosis, you know that hypnosis is nothing more than focus and concentration. Hypnosis allows one to comfortably and easily set aside all of the demands and pressures of everyday life. If you have never experienced hypnosis before, I can safely say you will truly enjoy the experience. It feels good and more importantly, it opens the doors to a new perspective for making healthy changes in your life. In my early career during the late 70s, many of my clients compare the feeling they got while in hypnosis with the sensations they got when they were smoking marijuana. You can decide for yourself.