Pain Control and Management

The Efficacy of Hypnosis for Pain Management and Control :

In 2001, the Professional Affairs Board of the British Psychological Society (BPS) commissioned a working party of expert psychologists to publish a report entitled The Nature of Hypnosis. Its remit was 'to provide a considered statement about hypnosis and important issues concerning its application and practice in a range of contexts, notably for clinical purposes.

It opens with the following introductory remark:

"Hypnosis is a valid subject for scientific study and research and a proven therapeutic medium."

With regard to the therapeutic uses of hypnosis, the report said:

THE REPORT

"Enough studies have now accumulated to suggest that the inclusion of hypnotic procedures may be beneficial in the management and treatment of a wide range of conditions and problems encountered in the practice of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy."

The working party then provided an overview of some of the most important contemporary research on the efficacy of clinical hypnotherapy, which is summarised as follows:

Report Summary:

"There is convincing evidence that hypnotic procedures are effective in the management and relief of both acute and chronic pain and in assisting in the alleviation of pain, discomfort and distress due to medical and dental procedures."

"Hypnosis and the practice of self-hypnosis may significantly reduce general anxiety, tension and stress in a manner similar to other relaxation and self-regulation procedures."

"Likewise, hypnotic treatment may assist in insomnia in the same way as other relaxation methods."

"There is encouraging evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of hypnotherapeutic procedures in alleviating the symptoms of a range of complaints that fall under the heading 'psychosomatic illness." These include tension headaches and migraine; asthma; gastro-intestinal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome and possibly other skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis and urticaria [hives].

"There is evidence from several studies that its [hypnosis'] inclusion in a weight reduction program may significantly enhance outcome."

A Comparison Study in an American Health Magazine reported the following findings from a recent ( 2007 ) study :

• Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions

• Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions

• Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions

The Wall Street Journal ( 7th October 2003 ) under a heading of ‘Altered States : Hypnosis Goes Mainstream ‘ indicated that

‘ Major hospitals are now using hypnosis for fractures, cancer, burns, pain relief, gastrointestinal disorders, childbirth, treatment of haemophilia and treatment of phobias and that many hospitals now have staff hypnotists. ‘

In addition the British Psychological Society ( BPS ) recently stated ( June 6th 2011 )

‘ Hypnotherapy should be used more frequently as treatment, with it being particularly useful for pain relief ’

according to Dr Peter Naish, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University and President elect of the Hypnosis Section of the Royal Society of Medicine, who also stated that it works as more than a placebo effect. He was speaking on the Today programme on radio 4 on 6th June 2011 and explained that cancer nurses could become trained in hypnotherapy thus saving the NHS money and showing it to the general public as a ‘normal’ treatment. John Castleton ( Chartered Counselling Psychologies ) added that

‘Hypnosis has been an area of public and professional interest for centuries and, as the BPS said in 2001, Hypnosis is a valid subject for scientific study and research and a proven therapeutic medium. When used appropriately, hypnotherapy is a useful addition to a practitioners ‘ tool kit ’ and brings together a range of psychotherapeutic techniques that can assist with personal development, emotional difficulties and research has shown some health conditions.’ – ( 14th June 2011 ).

The Components of Pain:

Hypnosis is particularly affective when working with pain management and control because it works with the components of pain. Pain relief by hypnosis is achieved by a number of routes. For example relaxation may be helpful if the person has a habit of tensing up because of the pain which causes additional aggravation. Some neurophysiological work has shown that when subjects are asked to imagine pain increasing or decreasing in unpleasantness the activity in the area of the brain that registers the affective component of the pain ( the anterior cingulated cortex ) is changed accordingly whereas activity in the area which registers the sensory component is unchanged ( Rainville et al 1977 ). Further studies ( Crawford 1994 ) indicate that some highly trained susceptible subjects who can virtually obliterate all perception of pain appear to be able to diminish the sensory component by a well developed ability to absorb themselves in other cognitive activities eg imagining themselves in a beautiful and calming favourite place. Developing an ability to manage pain also helps the person have a much more constructive and less catastrophic attitude to pain.

Physical Pain v Emotional Pain / Personal Experience :

I attended a workshop where we were working specifically with pain. At the time I was not in any physical pain however I was going through a difficult emotionally painful time supporting a close friend through a rotten business situation. When we ‘buddied up’ with partners to try out some of the hypnotic techniques I relaxed well however as she was focussing on encouraging me to find any pain in my body and work with it I become completely emotionally over whelmed. The pain that my mind found in my body was emotional pain. I allowed the emotion to overwhelm me and run its course. Once I re-oriented back into the room I felt so much better. Like a weight had been lifted.

This experience was a powerful one – it showed me that pain has many components, emotional pain being as painful as physical pain.

Should you wish to discuss any pain management issues with me please feel free to give me a call. Fiona : 07968 106113 / 01908 989 652