What is hypnosis good for

Hypnosis has shown to be able to help with these, too. How it works: Hypnosis leads you through progressive relaxation, providing soothing imagery and sensations to combat your symptoms. And it can help with chronic pain, too. People with pain related to conditions like arthritis , cancer, sickle cell disease , and fibromyalgia , — as well as people who have lower-back pain — may experience relief from hypnosis. How it works: Hypnosis can help you cope with pain and gain more self-control over your pain.

Additionally, studies indicate that hypnosis can do this effectively for long periods of time. There are many methods to help you quit, such as nicotine patches or prescription medications. Hypnosis for smoking cessation works best if you work one-on-one with a hypnotherapist who can customize the hypnosis sessions to match your lifestyle. How it works: In order for hypnosis to work for smoking cessation, you need to truly want to quit smoking. Hypnosis can work in two ways.

You don't need any special preparation to undergo hypnosis. But it's a good idea to wear comfortable clothing to help you relax. Also, make sure that you're well-rested so that you're not inclined to fall asleep during the session. Choose a therapist or health care professional who is certified to perform hypnosis. Seek a recommendation from someone you trust. Learn about any therapist you're considering.

Start by asking questions:. Your therapist will explain the process of hypnosis and review your treatment goals. Then the therapist will typically talk in a gentle, soothing tone and describe images that create a sense of relaxation, security and well-being. When you're in a receptive state, the therapist will suggest ways for you to achieve your goals, such as reducing pain or eliminating cravings to smoke. The therapist may also help you visualize vivid, meaningful mental images of yourself accomplishing your goals.

When the session is over, either you are able to bring yourself out of hypnosis or your therapist helps you end your state of relaxation. Contrary to how hypnosis is sometimes portrayed in movies or on television, you don't lose control over your behavior while under hypnosis.

Also, you generally remain aware of and remember what happens during hypnosis. You may eventually be able to practice self-hypnosis, in which you induce a state of hypnosis in yourself. You can use this skill as needed — for instance, after a chemotherapy session. The most dangerous is the potential to create false memories called confabulations. Some other potential side effects are headache, dizziness, and anxiety.

However, these usually fade shortly after the hypnotherapy session. People considering hypnotherapy should first consult their doctor or psychiatrist.

It is possible that hypnotherapy could worsen symptoms. People suffering from delusions, hallucinations, or other psychotic symptoms might not be the best candidates for hypnotherapy. The therapy requires a person to focus and enter a trance state of hypnosis. For some people, this is very difficult.

Hypnotherapy appears to work best when used with other forms of treatment, says Steve G. Kopp, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. Depression is more than just feeling sad or having negative thoughts. Kopp also warns that hypnotherapist quality varies widely. Anyone considering hypnotherapy should make sure the therapist is not only certified to perform hypnosis, but is also a trained mental health professional.

Several professional organizations and licensing agencies exist for hypnotherapy practitioners. To be an ASCH member, practitioners must attend at least 40 hours of workshop training, 20 hours of individual training, and have completed at least two years of clinical practice as a hypnotherapist.

For those interested in hypnotherapy, contacting these organizations to find a local chapter and licensed professionals is a good start. Some insurance companies will pay a portion of the cost of hypnotherapy treatments. However, insurance companies often require a licensed professional to administer the treatments. The Alexander technique stresses that movement should be economical and needs only the minimum amount of energy and effort. The different smells and chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils can produce different emotional and physiological reactions.

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that uses a range of techniques to treat illness and encourage wellbeing. Bowen is a holistic remedial body technique that works on the soft connective tissue fascia of the body. Bowen therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation.

The principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine are very different from traditional Western notions about health, illness and the workings of the body. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Complementary and alternative care. Home Complementary and alternative care.

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