Jun 01 2010

Stress Related Health Conditions

Category: Fitness,Health & Well-Being,Quotes,Therapeutic Imagery — admin @ 3:35 pm

Andrew Weil, MD, a well-known and respected advisor on healthy living, states, “Guided imagery is especially useful in addressing stress related health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, as well as stress associated symptoms such as skin rashes.  It may also be beneficial in treating autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, and can help alleviate chronic allergies, hives and asthma.”

Learn to manage stress with natural approaches. Breathing exercises and mind-body therapies such as guided imagery create a healing state and facilitate well-being.

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Apr 19 2010

More than 70% Show Great Improvement

Category: Fitness,Health & Well-Being,Hypnotherapy,Modalities,Pain Management,Quotes — admin @ 3:34 pm

Scientific American Mind (July, 2005) featured an article titled “The Truth and the Hype of Hypnosis” which stated that “hypnosis has been shown to be a real phenomenon with a variety of therapeutic uses- especially in controlling pain,” citing, among others, a 1996 National Institutes of Health panel which judged hypnosis to be an “effective intervention for alleviating pain from cancer and other chronic conditions.” The article further cites a meta-analysis published by the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis which found that “hypnotic suggestions relieved the pain of 75% of 933 subjects. The pain relieving effect of hypnosis is often substantial, and in a few cases the degree of relief matches or exceeds that provided by morphine.” Another meta-analysis of 18 separate studies found that “patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy plus hypnosis for disorders such as obesity, insomnia, anxiety and hypertension showed greater improvement than 70% of those who received psychotherapy alone.” Additionally, the article stated there is strong evidence that hypnosis can be an effective treatment for “asthma; some dermatological disorders, including warts; irritable bowel syndrome; hemophilia; and nausea associated with chemotherapy.”

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Mar 23 2010

MoneyScripts and Stress

Category: Fears & Phobias,Health & Well-Being,Law of Attraction,Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits — admin @ 9:35 pm

In the June 2009 issue of Psychology Today it was reported that a survey done by the American Psychological Association in September 2008 indicated that 8 out of 10 people rated money as the top cause of stress in their lives.

Volatile markets create fear which creates a fight/flight survival response. We subconsciously seek safety. Our modern day response of fight has become anxiety which can create a behavior of hoarding based on fear and loss. Conversely, flight has evolved into depression which may result in spending and splurging so we won’t feel poor.

It benefits us when we explore our thoughts and beliefs about money. We have individual moneyscripts and we share cultural moneyscripts. These scripts are programmed by the hidden messages we have received about money. We may believe “There will always be enough” or it may be that our belief is that “There will never be enough”. Our belief creates our reality. 

Mike Harris, host of The Real Estate Life on KFWB 980, CBS radio asked me to join him to share my views about our subconscious moneyscripts, and how we can separate our self worth from our net worth. If you’d like to listen in, go to the archives at: 

http://www.kfwb.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3875968

http://www.kfwb.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3875983

Perhaps you can break through your fear – false evidence appearing real – and choose to explore and expose your attitudes about money. When creating financial abundance and success – The Mind Matters!

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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

Hypnotherapy Effective for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Category: Fears & Phobias,Health & Well-Being,Hypnotherapy,Modalities,Pain Management,Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits,Sexuality — admin @ 7:15 pm

The Journal of Family Practice (May, 2001) published Effects of Hypnosis on the Labor Processes and Birth Outcomes of Pregnant Adolescents  which states “Hypnotherapy has been found to be effective in providing pain relief, reducing the need for chemical anesthesia, and reducing anxiety, fear, and pain related to childbirth. Hypnosis has also been helpful in both managing various complications of pregnancy (such as premature labors), and reducing the likelihood of premature labor and birth in high-risk patients.”

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Feb 02 2010

Hypnosis Significantly Reduces Healing Time

Category: Health & Well-Being,Hypnotherapy,Modalities,Pain Management — admin @ 7:06 pm

Healed 41% faster from fracture

Healed significantly faster from surgery

Two studies from Harvard Medical School show hypnosis significantly reduces the time it takes to heal.

Study One: Six weeks after an ankle fracture, those in the hypnosis group showed the equivalent of eight and a half weeks of healing.

Study Two: Three groups of people studied after breast reduction surgery. Hypnosis group healed “significantly faster” than supportive attention group and control group.

Harvard Medical School, Carol Ginandes and Union Institute in Cincinnati, Patricia Brooks, Harvard University Gazette Online at http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/05.08/01-hypnosis.html.

Surgery

Hypnosis given during surgical radiology not only diminishes patients’ pain and anxiety, but also shortens surgical time and reduces complications from the procedure. (Lancet, 2000)

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Feb 02 2010

Hypnosis Helps Substance Abuse & Addiction

Category: Addictions,Health & Well-Being,Hypnotherapy,Modalities,Motivation,Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits — admin @ 6:50 pm

The subconscious mind is a powerful goal-achieving machine. The mind matters. When one has the desire to let go of destructive habits and addictions, hypnotic suggestions to reinforce the motivation to achieve the goal are very effective. Subconscious programming is the basis for conscious action. Research studies show significant long term success rates.

Significantly More Methadone Addicts Quit with Hypnosis. 94% Remained Narcotic Free

Significant differences were found on all measures. The experimental group had significantly less discomfort and illicit drug use, and a significantly greater amount of cessation. At six month follow up, 94% of the subjects in the experimental group who had achieved cessation remained narcotic free.

A comparative study of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of methadone addicts. Manganiello AJ, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1984; 26(4): 273-9.

Hypnosis Shows 77 Percent Success Rate for Drug Addiction

Treatment has been used with 18 clients over the last 7 years and has shown a 77 percent success rate for at least a 1-year follow-up. 15 were being seen for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, 2 clients were being seen for cocaine addiction, and 1 client had a marijuana addiction

Intensive Therapy: Utilizing Hypnosis in the Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders. Potter, Greg, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004.

Raised Self-esteem & Serenity. Lowered Impulsivity and Anger

In a research study on self-hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users. Participants were 261 veterans admitted to Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (SARRTPs). individuals who used repeated self-hypnosis “at least 3 to 5 times a week,” at 7-week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal-practice and control groups.

American Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy (a publication of the American Psychological Association)
2004 Apr;46(4):281-97)

Hypnosis For Cocaine Addiction Documented Case Study

Hypnosis was successfully used to overcome a $500 (five grams) per day cocaine addiction. The subject was a female in her twenties. After approximately 8 months of addiction, she decided to use hypnosis in an attempt to overcome the addiction itself. Over the next 4 months, she used hypnosis three times a day and at the end of this period, her addiction was broken, and she has been drug free for the past 9 years. Hypnosis was the only intervention, and no support network of any kind was available.

The use of hypnosis in cocaine addiction. Page RA, Handley GW, Ohio State University, Lima, OH USA 45804. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1993 Oct;36(2):120-3.

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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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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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Oct 29 2009

Align Your Thought Field

Category: Energy Body,Meridian Therapy,Modalities,Releasing Limits, Fears & Habits — admin @ 10:46 am

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) (see www.emofree.com) is an unconventional method which offers remarkable results. It can be used to release negative thoughts and emotions and reinforce positive affirmations and beliefs. You can let go of limiting beliefs that keep you from living the life you want. EFT can be used to focus and choose positive thoughts by affirming what you want. Since you are only able to process one emotion at a time, you must make a choice. EFT helps you to make that choice energetically.

 EFT is a form of Energy Psychology, Meridian Therapy, or Thought Field Therapy. It is an obvious extension of Einstein’s discovery that ALL matter, including the human body, is composed of energy. When we experience a negative emotion or physical discomfort or pain, it is because there has been a disruption in our energy system. The thought energy affects the emotional energy which affects the physical energy. EFT works by tapping on a series of points on the body which correspond to acupuncture points in the energy meridian system. Tapping on the conduits between the energy body and the physical body releases blockages and limitations and enhances the well-being and functioning of the individual. EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture, except you stimulate the meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips. Tuning into a problem or a limiting belief can be done by simply thinking bout it. Thinking will bring about the energy disruptions involved which then …and only then… can be balanced by tapping the 9-Step Sequence.

 To release negative emotions, rate each of the negative beliefs or experiences using a number scale from 1 to 10, giving each a rating about how bad it makes you feel – a subjective unit of discomfort (SUD). Take a deep breath, focus on your issue and create a set-up phrase, which identifies the problem.

 “Even though I have …this problem… I deeply and completely accept myself.”

 Examples of “this problem” may be something like:

 “Even though my father told me I was lazy…”

“Even though I’ve failed before…”

“Even though I’m overweight…”

“Even though I’m unworthy…”

“Even though I’m really angry with my husband…”

 Using two fingers begin by tapping on the first spot. Either tap on the thymus gland located at the center of the breastbone, or tap on the side of the hand at the karate chop point. While tapping, focus on your issue and breathe deeply. Do this while repeating the set-up phrase three times. It doesn’t matter if you tap on either your right or left side. Or you can use both hands while tapping through the 9-Step Sequence; tapping on both sides of the body at the same time.

 Now, while saying “releasing this problem”…”don’t need this problem”…” letting go of this problem”, tap on the remaining spots of the 9-Step Sequence: 

2. inner eyebrow

3. outer eyebrow

4. under eye

5. under nose

6. chin

7. collarbone

8. under arm

9. crown of head.

 For a particularly intense issue, continue tapping on the outer side of the thumb, pointer, middle and little fingers, as well as the karate chop point on the side of the hand. Evaluate your SUD and continue the process until you have reached a level of comfort. You may also use the 9-Step Sequence to release any unwanted emotions at the time you are experiencing the feeling. It is not necessary to verbally express and identify the emotions…just tap. To reinforce and choose positive behaviors and affirmations, use the 9-Step Sequence to tap as you focus on your choices. For example, after you have “released anxiety” you can then “choose to be calm”. You can also choose confidence, focus, motivation, joy, freedom, empowerment or any other positive emotion. After you have written your affirmations, take a moment to tap through the 9-Step Sequence while you read and focus on your affirmation. Notice if you are energetically aligned with your desires. If not, take the opportunity to tap away any limitations.

 There are many ways to fine tune the procedure. The set-up phrase, identifying the problem or formulating the affirmation or choice, is a very important factor. Please contact a Certified EFT Practitioner for assistance. Belief in the process is unnecessary. EFT is like gravity or electricity. It works whether you believe in it or not. In order to achieve results, you just have to do it. Persistently and consistently.

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