What is Medical Hypnotherapy?
Simply put, medical hypnosis is the use of hypnosis to assist physical healing. The mind and body are not separate. The mind, through thoughts, beliefs, emotions, habits, memories and more is directly connected through nerves and hormones to the entire body.
Does hypnotherapy really work?
Yes, science has confirmed that hypnotherapy can change our perception and behavior.
It’s possible, but hypnosis shows marked differences in brain activity. This suggests the brain reacts to hypnosis in a unique way, one that’s stronger than a placebo effect.
Like hypnosis, the placebo effect is driven by suggestion. Guided conversations or behavioral therapy of any type can have a powerful impact on behavior and feelings. Hypnosis is just one of those therapy tools.
FROM the NIH
Hypnosis (also called hypnotherapy) has been studied for a number of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), state anxiety (e.g., before medical procedures or surgeries), menopausal symptoms, hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It has also been studied for pain control and smoking cessation.
Some studies have suggested that hypnosis may be helpful for gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety, depression, disability, and health-related quality of life in people with IBS.
A growing body of evidence suggests that hypnosis may help to manage some painful conditions.
Some studies have shown promising results on hypnosis for anxiety related to medical or dental procedures, but the overall evidence is not conclusive.
Studies of hypnosis to help with quitting smoking have had conflicting results.
There is some evidence suggesting that hypnosis may help improve certain menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. A 2015 position paper from the North American Menopause Society recommended hypnosis for managing hot flashes but acknowledged that favorable evidence is limited.