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Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a form of deep relaxation and focused awareness that was introduced in the late 18th century by Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer. A soothing tone of voice and repetitive stimulus, such as the sound of a metronome (a device that marks time in a steady beat), can induce the hypnotic state in susceptible individuals. This relaxed state can lead to lower blood pressure, a decreased heart rate and slower brain wave activity. Some people achieve self-hypnosis with deep-breathing and concentration techniques. What Is Hypnotherapy Used For? Hypnosis is currently used in some health care environments to help bring about changes in thinking and behavior. Some health care providers also use hypnosis to alter the experience of pain and stress without the use of drugs. For example, people in chronic pain may use hypnotherapy: - To help modify their experience of pain, anxiety and fear
- To reduce their need for medications
- To make medical procedures more comfortable
Hypnotherapy has been used alone and with other treatments to produce or augment analgesia (pain treatment) in surgery, to control bleeding and to decrease nausea after surgery. As a result, hypnosis can reduce the cost of surgery, shorten its duration and reduce pain and anxiety in both the short and long term. Hypnotherapy has also be used to control arthritis pain, migraine headaches, allergies, heart rate, blood pressure, blood vessel diameter, cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), side effects of cancer treatments, stomach ulcers, skin conditions, addictions and many other conditions. Pregnant women may use hypnotherapy to help control morning sickness and shorten labor. People who want to quit smoking or stop overeating, two risk factors for heart disease, may benefit from hypnotherapy as well.
Last updated March 04, 2002
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