Medical hypnosis

Medical science has contributed greatly in the understanding of the process of hypnosis and how it can be used in emotional and physical healing.

Throughout history, hypnosis has been victim to various forms of misrepresentation and misconception. The term hypnosis may conjure up imagery of a trance-like subject at the mercy of a ticking pendulum, as seen in old movies or “magic” shows. In reality, however, science has contributed greatly in understanding the process of hypnosis and how it can be used in emotional and physical healing. Contemporary medical hypnotherapy entails deep relaxation coupled with heightened concentration. Participants are fully awake with acutely focused attention and a corresponding decrease in peripheral awareness. This state of mind allows for an increased response to suggestion, which has proven helpful in both psychotherapy and holistic medicine.

It is argued that hypnosis makes use of the placebo effect, in which patients’ expectations influence the way they feel. According to this theory, hypnosis can therefore help patients dictate their expectations in order to alleviate pain, anxiety or physical symptoms. The placebo effect may be evident in hypnosis, but not all hypnosis can be explained by the placebo effect, according to a study that appeared in a 1990 issue of the “American Journal of Psychotherapy” as reported by livestrong.com.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Dr. Safer, a New York psychologist who has a rare but curable form of leukemia, started out as a skeptic, but found that hypnosis helped put her at ease before biopsies, MRIs and several surgeries. “It’s an excellent self-management technique,” she says. “It gives me a feeling of mastery, a sense that I am participating in my own care rather than just being passive.” She now uses it with some of her patients as well.

Recently, a Swedish study conducted by researchers at The Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg revealed that hypnotherapy alleviated symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in 40 percent of those affected–and that the improvement is long-term. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate that hypnotherapy provides significant and lasting relief, even for severe physical symptoms.

“We can teach people how to manage pain and anxiety, ” says David Spiegel, a psychiatrist and director of the Center for Health and Stress at Stanford University who has researched hypnosis for 40 years. “There’s been this mistake in medicine that if you have a certain amount of tissue damage, you should feel this amount of pain. But many things can alter how much pain you feel.”

According to Dr. Spiegel, this observed brain effect is even greater in the 10 to 15 percent of people who are “highly suggestible” to hypnosis (i.e. willing and eager). Roughly 30 percent of people, however–the same people who are deeply skeptical–are resistant to hypnosis, as reported by Fox News.

There will always be skeptics surrounding anything that requires a leap of faith, but the benefits of medical hypnosis in the realm of pain management are hard to ignore. Brain-imaging studies have shown that while undergoing medical hypnosis, the parts of the brain that register pain are still active, but the anterior cingulated cortex, which reflects attention, is less engaged. In these cases, the patient experiences significantly less pain.

Our feature story in Ode’s current issue, Turn Right for Enlightenment, holistic physician Roy Martina explains his take on medical hypnosis. Martina uses medical hypnosis to neutralize his patients’ ego-aware left brain, leaving their right brain more susceptible to getting in touch with and unraveling the emotional knots that lie deep within their subconscious, and have been hindering, or blocking, their full potential for healing.

After a handful of years researching hypnosis around the world, Martina spent the last nine months treating about 150 patients with hypnosis and the results have been astounding­. From disappearing tumors to cartilage regrowth, he’s seen various ailments improve after all other treatments had hit a wall. He explains, “my healing efficacy has increased by a factor of 10, without making use of any other method at all.” Martina is convinced that the main factor contributing to these successes isn’t the synchronicity between the two halves of the brain per se, but rather the connection between the right half and one’s higher consciousness.

Through OdeNow, Roy Martina is offering a full day intensive workshop that includes demonstrations and exercises to help you learn to practice self-healing methods. He will show you how you can work toward living at your optimal health and feel inner happiness as your natural state. Register here for Roy Martina’s event which is offered live in San Francisco and also online. Read more about Roy Martina on OdeWire.

By Michelle Oznowicz

Image Source: presstv.ir