In recent years the field of mind body medicine (known as psycho-neuro-immunology or PNI) has been gaining wider recognition. Clinicians are now realising that the Cartesian dualist viewpoint with regard to medicine and healing (that the mind and body are separate entities that do not communicate) is no longer applicable, and that a holistic approach to the treatment of a patient is desirable.
Increasingly the patient’s emotional state, beliefs, etc. are being addressed as part and parcel of their treatment package. This not withstanding, it has been known for a long time that emotional factors play an important role in the course of disorders of the intestinal tract and that to treat conditions such as irritable bowl syndrome, food intolerance and food allergy, psychological stability and well-being needs to be attained.
From this position the realisation that other gastrointestinal disorders (as well as organic disorders in general) will benefit from the alleviation of psychological upset has become widely acknowledged, and that both positive and negative emotional factors can and do influence the functioning of our immune system (the part of our body responsible for maintaining our health). Many clinicians are now recommending that some form of psychological intervention accompany standard treatment approaches and much has been written in the scientific press detailing the efficacy of such interventions. These studies have also shown that the hypnotherapeutic approach is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and reducing absenteeism from work.
What is hypnosis?
The use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool has a very long history. The earliest recorded examples are found in the sleep temples of ancient Egypt where archaic hieroglyphs detail procedures that in this day and age would be considered hypnotic. (The word ‘hypnosis’ was only invented in the 1800s.) Interest in its use has fluctuated throughout the years and is currently in resurgence perhaps due to the ever expanding scientific literature detailing its efficacy, combined with the general public’s search for a viable alternative/accompaniment to so called conventional medicine.
Hypnosis is, in essence, a very pleasant and natural state of deep mental and physical relaxation that is often referred to as trance into which almost anyone can enter if they so wish. In this state a person is open to accepting beneficial suggestions delivered by a therapist (a process known as hypnotherapy) that can help alleviate a wide range of presenting symptoms.
However, for some the very word hypnosis is steeped in mysticism and many erroneous myths have arisen surrounding the subject. For example, the belief that it is akin to brain washing is far from the truth, and it is important to realise that hypnosis is not mind control. A patient in trance is not ‘under the power’ of the therapist. On the contrary, full control is maintained throughout with the unconscious mind protecting the subject, rejecting unwanted suggestions or any that are alien to a person’s ethical or moral beliefs. Essentially, hypnotherapy is a therapeutic method that allows a person to regain control over an area of their life where they feel control has been lost, thus helping to alleviate both psychological and physical symptoms.
Increasingly the patient’s emotional state, beliefs, etc. are being addressed as part and parcel of their treatment package. This not withstanding, it has been known for a long time that emotional factors play an important role in the course of disorders of the intestinal tract and that to treat conditions such as irritable bowl syndrome, food intolerance and food allergy, psychological stability and well-being needs to be attained.
From this position the realisation that other gastrointestinal disorders (as well as organic disorders in general) will benefit from the alleviation of psychological upset has become widely acknowledged, and that both positive and negative emotional factors can and do influence the functioning of our immune system (the part of our body responsible for maintaining our health). Many clinicians are now recommending that some form of psychological intervention accompany standard treatment approaches and much has been written in the scientific press detailing the efficacy of such interventions. These studies have also shown that the hypnotherapeutic approach is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and reducing absenteeism from work.
What is hypnosis?
The use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool has a very long history. The earliest recorded examples are found in the sleep temples of ancient Egypt where archaic hieroglyphs detail procedures that in this day and age would be considered hypnotic. (The word ‘hypnosis’ was only invented in the 1800s.) Interest in its use has fluctuated throughout the years and is currently in resurgence perhaps due to the ever expanding scientific literature detailing its efficacy, combined with the general public’s search for a viable alternative/accompaniment to so called conventional medicine.
Hypnosis is, in essence, a very pleasant and natural state of deep mental and physical relaxation that is often referred to as trance into which almost anyone can enter if they so wish. In this state a person is open to accepting beneficial suggestions delivered by a therapist (a process known as hypnotherapy) that can help alleviate a wide range of presenting symptoms.
However, for some the very word hypnosis is steeped in mysticism and many erroneous myths have arisen surrounding the subject. For example, the belief that it is akin to brain washing is far from the truth, and it is important to realise that hypnosis is not mind control. A patient in trance is not ‘under the power’ of the therapist. On the contrary, full control is maintained throughout with the unconscious mind protecting the subject, rejecting unwanted suggestions or any that are alien to a person’s ethical or moral beliefs. Essentially, hypnotherapy is a therapeutic method that allows a person to regain control over an area of their life where they feel control has been lost, thus helping to alleviate both psychological and physical symptoms.
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