Chorlton Hypnotherapy

A Guest Post by Bennett Mathers.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 56% of newly diagnosed cancer patients indicate moderate to severe pain associated with their illness at least half of the time with 81% complaining of pain more than twice and 34% reporting instances of discomfort or pain more than three times. Some patients are turning to alternative methods such as hypnosis to help them deal with the stress often associated with cancer.

An Australian clinical trial on hypnosis and cancer in 2005 raised awareness of the use of hypnosis to reduce stress, pain, depression and anxiety in some cancer patients, including those diagnosed with mesothelioma and other aggressive malignancies. While scientists have not found any evidence that hypnosis affects or alters cancer cells or has any impact on the immune system itself, there is evidence that the technique may calm common fears in cancer patients. Hypnosis is not intended to be a medical treatment for cancer, but it may play a role in managing cancer and promoting a sense of calm conducive to healing.

Hypnosis as relaxation method for cancer patients was also the subject of a panel convened by the National Institutes of Health. The NIH panel found hypnosis useful for chronic pain when used in conjunction with traditional medical care. There is no current scientific evidence to support the idea that hypnosis may hinder or stop the progression of any form of cancer. However, hypnotherapy may improve the quality of life of cancer patients by providing benefits including a noticeable reduction in fear and anxiety associated with cancer. Additional benefits may include:

• Reduction in the frequency and severity of headaches

• Reduction in bouts of depression

• Noticeable reduction in pain and discomfort

When hypnotized, an individual is able to concentrate on a single or specific thought, feeling, memory or sensation while blocking out distractions. This is believed to be a factor in reducing pain and stress in some cancer patients. Proponents of hypnosis for cancer patients do not generally claim that it can in any way cure the disease, but assert that the technique may be useful in reducing the side effects associated with some forms of cancer thereby potentially extending mesothelioma life expectancy by promoting the general health of the patient.

Hypnosis should be done under the care of a professional trained in hypnosis techniques. Self-hypnosis is not usually recommended when hypnosis is used for therapeutic reasons. Cancer patients with certain medical conditions or some types of mental illness should not be hypnotized.

Hypnosis may result in emotional distress in some cases. For this reason, the patient should be supervised at all times while under hypnosis. It is important for a patient to discuss the possibility of using hypnosis for therapeutic reasons with their doctor prior to undergoing hypnosis. Cancer patients utilizing hypnosis should not relay on it as a sole treatment or avoid or delay medical care.

By: Bennett Mathers