Feb 03 2010

Hypnosis Reduces Pain

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Modalities, Pain Management, Sports Performance, Therapeutic Imagery — admin @ 2:19 pm

Many research studies, as well as anecdotal evidence, points to the effectiveness of hypnosis and imagery for pain reduction and chronic pain management. The subconscious mind has the ability to change the perception of pain, thereby changing the experience.

Hypnosis Reduces Pain and Speeds up Recovery from Surgery

Since 1992, we have used hypnosis routinely in more than 1400 patients undergoing surgery. We found that hypnosis used with patients as an adjunct to conscious sedation and local anesthesia was associated with improved intraoperative patient comfort, and with reduced anxiety, pain, intraoperative requirements for anxiolytic and analgesic drugs, optimal surgical conditions and a faster recovery of the patient. We reported our clinical experience and our fundamental research.

[Hypnosis and its application in surgery] Faymonville ME, Defechereux T, Joris J, Adant JP, Hamoir E, Meurisse M, Service d’Anesthesie-Reanimation, Universite de Liege, Rev Med Liege. 1998 Jul;53(7):414-8.

Hypnosis Reduces Pain Intensity

Analysis of the simple-simple main effects, holding both group and condition constant, revealed that application of hypnotic analgesia reduced report of pain intensity significantly more than report of pain unpleasantness.

Dahlgren LA, Kurtz RM, Strube MJ, Malone MD, Differential effects of hypnotic suggestion on multiple dimensions of pain. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management. 1995; 10(6): 464-70.

Hypnosis Reduces Pain of Headaches and Anxiety

The improvement was confirmed by the subjective evaluation data gathered with the use of a questionnaire and by a significant reduction in anxiety scores.

Melis PM, Rooimans W, Spierings EL, Hoogduin CA, Treatment of chronic tension-type headache with hypnotherapy: a single-blind time controlled study. Headache 1991; 31(10): 686-9.

Hypnosis Lowered Post-treatment Pain in Burn Injuries

Patients in the hypnosis group reported less post treatment pain than did patients in the control group. The findings are used to replicate earlier studies of burn pain hypnoanalgesia, explain discrepancies in the literature, and highlight the potential importance of motivation with this population.

Patterson DR, Ptacek JT, Baseline pain as a moderator of hypnotic analgesia for burn injury treatment. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology 1997; 65(1): 60-7.

Hypnosis Lowered Phantom Limb Pain

Hypnotic procedures appear to be a useful adjunct to established strategies for the treatment of phantom limb pain and would repay further, more systematic, investigation. Suggestions are provided as to the factors which should be considered for a more systematic research program.

Treatment of phantom limb pain using hypnotic imagery. Oakley DA, Whitman LG, Halligan PW, Department of Psychology, University College, London, UK.

Hypnosis Has a Reliable and Significant Impact on Acute and Chronic Pain

Hypnosis has been demonstrated to reduce analogue pain, and studies on the mechanisms of laboratory pain reduction have provided useful applications to clinical populations. Studies showing central nervous system activity during hypnotic procedures offer preliminary information concerning possible physiological mechanisms of hypnotic analgesia. Randomized controlled studies with clinical populations indicate that hypnosis has a reliable and significant impact on acute procedural pain and chronic pain conditions. Methodological issues of this body of research are discussed, as are methods to better integrate hypnosis into comprehensive pain treatment.

Hypnosis and clinical pain. Patterson DR, Jensen MP, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA USA 98104 Psychol Bull. 2003 Jul;129(4):495-521.

Hypnosis Useful in Hospital Emergency Rooms

Hypnosis can be a useful adjunct in the emergency department setting. Its efficacy in various clinical applications has been replicated in controlled studies. Application to burns, pain, pediatric procedures, surgery, psychiatric presentations (e.g., coma, somatoform disorder, anxiety, and post traumatic stress), and obstetric situations (e.g., hyperemesis, labor, and delivery) are described.

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2000 May;18(2):327-38, x. The use of hypnosis in emergency medicine. Peebles-Kleiger MJ, Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences, Menninger Clinic, Topeka, KS, USA. peeblemj@menninger.edu

Self-Hypnosis Alleviates Tension Headaches

In 169 patients, self-hypnosis was largely successful in alleviating chronic tension headaches. (International Journal of Clinical Experimental Hypnosis, 2000)

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Feb 02 2010

Smoking Cessation with Hypnosis

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Modalities, Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits, Smoking Cessation — admin @ 1:16 pm

Many studies show hypnosis to be an effective form of treatment for smoking cessation. Smoking is more than a physical addiction. It is a habit. It is behavior based on “triggers” which increase desire for the habitual action. Habits are a result of sub-conscious programming and repetitive thought patterns. As such, treatment on a subconscious level is effective and long-lasting. The following research reflects such success.

90.6% Success Rate for Smoking Cessation Using Hypnosis

Of 43 consecutive patients undergoing this treatment protocol, 39 reported remaining abstinent from tobacco use at follow-up (6 months to 3 years post-treatment). This represents a 90.6% success rate using hypnosis.

University of Washington School of Medicine, Depts. of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2001 Jul;49(3):257-66. Barber J.

87% Reported Abstinence From Tobacco Use With Hypnosis

A field study of 93 male and 93 female CMHC outpatients examined the facilitation of smoking cessation by using hypnosis. At 3-month follow-up, 86% of the men and 87% of the women reported continued abstinence from the use of tobacco using hypnosis.

Performance by gender in a stop-smoking program combining hypnosis and aversion. Johnson DL, Karkut RT. Adkar Associates, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana. Psychol Rep. 1994 Oct;75(2):851-7.
PMID: 7862796 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

81% Reported They Had Stopped Smoking After Hypnosis

Thirty smokers enrolled in an HMO were referred by their primary physician for treatment. Twenty-one patients returned after an initial consultation and received hypnosis for smoking cessation. At the end of treatment, 81% of those patients reported that they had stopped smoking, and 48% reported abstinence at 12 months post-treatment.

Texas A&M University, System Health Science Center, College of Medicine, College Station, TX USA. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2004 Jan;52(1):73-81. Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: preliminary results of a three-session intervention. Elkins GR, Rajab MH.

Hypnosis Patients Twice As Likely To Remain Smoke-Free After Two Years

Study of 71 smokers showed that after a two-year follow up, patients that quit with hypnosis were twice as likely to remain smoke-free than those who quit on their own.

Guided health imagery for smoking cessation and long-term abstinence. Wynd, CA. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2005; 37:3, pages 245-250.

Hypnosis More Effective Than Drug Interventions For Smoking Cessation

Group hypnosis sessions, evaluated at a less effective success rate (22% success) than individualized hypnosis sessions. However, group hypnosis sessions were still demonstrated here as being more effective than drug interventions.

Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, OH 43210, USA Descriptive outcomes of the American Lung Association of Ohio hypnotherapy smoking cessation program. Ahijevych K, Yerardi R, Nedilsky N.

Hypnosis Most Effective Says Largest Study Ever: 3 Times as Effective as Patch and 15 Times as Effective as Willpower.

Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. A meta-analysis, statistically combining results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare various methods of quitting. On average, hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone.

University of Iowa, Journal of Applied Psychology, How One in Five Give Up Smoking. October 1992.  (Also New Scientist, October 10, 1992.)

22% Report Kicking the Habit

 Of almost 3,000 smokers who participated in one group hypnotherapy session, sponsored by the American Lung Association, to kick the habit, 22% reported not smoking for a month afterward. (The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2000)

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Feb 02 2010

Focused Breathing Lowers Blood Pressure

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Spiritual Exploration — admin @ 1:08 pm

Recent studies continue to show the benefits of focused breathing and meditation for physical and spiritual health. In Dr. Herbert Benson’s 1975 book The Relaxation Response, he stated that breathing “may be used as a new approach to aid in the treatment and perhaps prevention of diseases such as hypertension.” One of the most recent studies was conducted by Dr. Vernon A. Barnes, a physiologist at the Medical College of Georgia. It showed that teenagers at risk for having high blood pressure were able to lower their daytime blood pressures. This was done by simply practicing 15 minutes of transcendental meditation (focused and concentrated breathing) twice daily, over a period of four months.

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Feb 02 2010

Research on the Effectiveness of Hypnosis for Weight Loss

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Modalities, Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits, Weight Management — admin @ 1:04 pm

Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss

Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of 0.5 lbs lost by the control group, on follow-up.

Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.

Two Years Later: Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight

109 people completed a behavioral treatment for weight management either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in the behavioral-treatment-only group showed little further change.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)

Hypnosis Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off

Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis.

Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.

University of Connecticut, Storrs Allison DB, Faith MS. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996;64(3):513-516.

Hypnosis More Than Doubled Average Weight Loss

Study of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction, additional data were obtained from authors of two studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.

Kirsch, Irving (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments–Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.

Hypnosis Showed Significantly Lower Post-Treatment Weights

Two studies compared overweight smoking and non-smoking adult women in an hypnosis-based, weight-loss program. Both achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index. Follow-up study replicated significant weight losses and declines in Body Mass Index. The overt aversion and hypnosis program yielded significantly lower post-treatment weights and a greater average number of pounds lost.

Weight loss for women: studies of smokers and nonsmokers using hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion. Johnson DL, Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.

Hypnotherapy group with stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments.

Randomised, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

J Stradling, D Roberts, A Wilson and F Lovelock, Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

Hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches

An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed that the “… weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects” of traditional weight loss approaches.

University of Connecticut, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64, No. 3, pgs 517-519).

Weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized

Research into cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments established that weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized. It was also established that the benefits of hypnosis increase over time.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996)

Showed Hypnosis As “An Effective Way To Lose Weight”

A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986)

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Nov 23 2009

Sweets or Self-Hypnosis?

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits, Weight Management — admin @ 3:07 pm

 

Breaking the Emotional Eating Cycle

Are you reaching for cookies or ice cream when you feel lonely, stressed or upset? There is a biological reason we reach for sweets when we’re feeling low. Elizabeth Somer, R.D., in her book Food & Mood says “The very taste of something sweet on the tongue immediately releases endorphins, our body’s natural morphine-like chemicals that can produce feelings of euphoria and satisfaction.”

In Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise, Robert Thayer, PhD., a psychology professor at CSU Long Beach, says he believes the key to breaking the emotional eating cycle is finding some way to deal with stress.

Self-hypnosis may be the answer. When you are in the hypnotic state, you experience a sense of calm and well-being. The body naturally produces endorphins. Self-hypnosis can help you to imagine your ideal self, to experience your ideal body, and to create the mind-set which will assist you in achieving that image of yourself. Like meditation, this process involves concentration on your breathing. Focused breathing has a stronger effect on emotional change than any other function of your body.

Like any new skill, the degree of success one achieves with self-hypnosis conditioning is determined by the amount of practice time involved. I have found that once a person is conditioned to the hypnotic state through hetero-hypnosis (induction by another person) it is far easier to achieve the self-hypnotic state.

If you would like to learn self-hypnosis techniques to achieve your ideal body or your ideal life, I can help.

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Nov 02 2009

Benefits of Imagery for Sports Performance

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Pain Management, Sports Performance, Therapeutic Imagery — admin @ 5:29 pm

Researchers at the Center for Sport & Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University examined the effects of relaxation, imagery and trigger control procedures and found that “hypnosis can improve golf-chipping performance and increase feelings and cognitions associated with flow”. Findings were reported in Perceptual & Motor Skills (December 2000).

 The Journal of Sports Science (April 1993) reported that researchers at the School of Kinesiology at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, investigated the effects of imagery on the soccer playing of both skilled and novice players. Performance on the post-test as measured by response time (the time to complete the soccer task) revealed a significant improvement for both the skilled and novice players in the imagery group.

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Nov 02 2009

Sleep Loss Impact on Body Weight

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy — admin @ 5:23 pm

Are you unsatisfied with your present weight and body condition? Did you know that your sleeping habits play a major part in your ability to maintain and lose weight?

 The National Sleep Foundation, 2002 “Sleep in America” Poll states that sleep loss is a common problem in America, with 74% of respondents experiencing at least one symptom of sleep disorder a few nights per week or more. Science has shown that sleep loss may increase hunger and affect the body’s metabolism. “Sleep loss is associated with striking alterations in hormone levels that regulate the appetite and may be a contributing factor to obesity,” said Dr. Michael Thorpy, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Monroe Medical Center in New York.

If you are experiencing problems maintaining or losing weight, or suffering from sleep disorders, hypnotherapy can help. It can motivate you to make healthful choices about eating, exercise and lifestyle. It can increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. It can reduce stress and promote relaxation. It can also help you to become aware of your patterns and behaviors.

 Are you ready to make changes in your life? Call for an appointment today to begin to change your tomorrows.

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Nov 02 2009

The Beauty of Self-Esteem

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy, Therapeutic Imagery — admin @ 5:15 pm

beau·ty (by›“t¶) n., pl. beau·ties. 1. A delightful quality associated with harmony of form or color, excellence of craftsmanship, truthfulness, originality, or another property.

              Beauty is an elusive concept, considering “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. The American Heritage Dictionary defines beauty by its attributes. “Harmony of form” is important, but that is a matter of perception. “Truthfulness” and “originality”, which are also defined as “authenticity”, are equally important. Perhaps most important, is “another property”. Is this “property” the elusive quality that emanates from “beautiful” people? Is this “property” the intangible quality of self-esteem?

               Every beauty kit should contain a smile and a sense of well-being. It should be packed with self-acceptance and self-confidence. When you feel good, you look good.

               Body image and perception can change with your moods. While experiencing a difficult day, you may engage in negative self-talk. It may be “a bad hair day”, or you may think, “these pants make me look fat” or “my nose is too big”. These, or other negative comments, are the result of years of repetitive subconscious programming. Where did you learn to measure your value in terms of your physical body? What is another way to acknowledge your self? Letting go of judgment allows you to listen to the needs of your body and spirit. Become aware of thought patterns and negative self-talk about your body.

               When you accept yourself as you are, you respect your thoughts and emotions. You develop a sense of pride and self-worth. When you accept yourself with grace and ease, you develop your confidence, your talents and your abilities. When you accept yourself, you develop an appreciation and respect for your physical body. You become less critical and more gentle with yourself. When you accept yourself, you experience self-love. You emanate the beauty of your spirit.

              “Self-Esteem” by Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning (Third Edition, New Harbinger Publications, 2000) regards hypnosis and visualization as effective tools for building and maintaining self-acceptance. Hypnotherapy can help you set goals and provide motivation to achieve those goals. When goals are met, you nourish a belief in yourself and benefit from an increase in self-confidence. Imagery can help you to visualize your ideal self, reinforcing the positive qualities you possess, while enhancing behaviors that help to achieve your goals.

               Using the power of your subconscious mind can increase your self-awareness. A Certified Hypnotherapist can help you to access that power. Your subconscious mind, the 88% of your mind that controls your behavior, is available to you through hypnotic techniques. Hypnotherapy can also help you control unwanted habits that affect your self-esteem, and aid in the elimination of negative behaviors such as pessimism or worry. It can help you to achieve self-mastery.

                When you possess self-love and acceptance, you are “beautiful”, in every sense of the word. You have the power.

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Oct 29 2009

Change Your Mind. Change Your Body.

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being — admin @ 11:21 am

“The key to permanent weight loss is changing the attitudes, feelings and habits that determine what, when, why, how often and how much you eat.” (“You Can Think Yourself Thin” by Dianne Hales, Parade Magazine, January, 2005).

 Dr. Dean Ornish, author of Eat More, Weigh Less, says, “People don’t overeat because they’re hungry, but as a way of meeting their emotional needs and making it through the day.”

 Behavioral techniques such as visualization and affirmations are very useful tools to change your thinking. Visualization can break the habit of emotional eating. When you imagine yourself as slender and physically fit, you’re less likely to reach for an unhealthy snack to make yourself feel better. You are also more likely to exercise to maintain the visualized level of fitness. In addition, decades of psychological research has shown affirmations (positive, motivational phrases) can serve as an effective tool and create a positive mind-set, which is the key to creating change.

 Would you like to discover how to identify and feed your emotional needs?  Would you like to learn to nourish yourself in a loving and healthy way? Are you ready to make changes in the way you think about food? Would you like to love and accept your body? Hypnosis can help you to visualize your ideal self. Behavior modification can help you to make the right choices. Are you ready to help yourself change?

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Oct 29 2009

Emotions Can Make You Fat

Category: Fitness, Health & Well-Being, Hypnotherapy — admin @ 11:19 am

Are you reaching for cookies or ice cream when you feel lonely, stressed or upset? There is a biological reason we reach for sweets when we’re feeling low. Elizabeth Somer, R.D., in her book Food & Mood says “The very taste of something sweet on the tongue immediately releases endorphins, our body’s natural morphine like chemicals that can produce feelings of euphoria and satisfaction.”

 In Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise, Robert Thayer, PhD., a psychology professor at CSU Long Beach, says he believes the key to breaking the emotional eating cycle is finding some way to deal with stress.

 Self-hypnosis may be the answer. When you are in the hypnotic state, you experience a sense of calm and well being and the body naturally produces endorphins. Self-hypnosis can help you to imagine your ideal self, your ideal body, and create the mind-set which will help you to achieve that image of yourself. This process involves concentration on your breathing, which has a stronger effect on emotional change than any other function of your body.

 Like any new skill, the degree of success one achieves with self-hypnosis conditioning is determined by the amount of practice time involved. I have found that once a person is conditioned to the hypnotic state through hetero-hypnosis (induction by another person), it is far easier to achieve the self-hypnotic state.

 If you would like to learn self-hypnosis techniques to achieve your ideal body or your ideal life, I can help.

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