The July 2008 issue of the European Journal of Pain details a study which examined hypnosis and pain management in patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), the researchers compared two groups of fibromyalgia sufferers. One group was given suggestions for pain management without hypnotic induction, while the other group received the same suggestions after hypnotic induction. (Basically, one group was hypnotized, and the other wasn’t.)
Researchers then took brain scans of each group, and asked each group about their levels of pain. Both groups reported less pain after suggestion, but those who had been hypnotized reported more feelings of personal control of their pain- they felt more empowered as far as being able to manage their pain levels. The brain scans in the hypnotized group showed greater activity compared to the non hypnotized group.
Based on this, the researchers concluded that hypnosis increases the effectiveness of fibromyalgia pain management. Hypnosis can be an important component for people who are looking for more effective methods for managing fibromyalgia pain.
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It’s good that some doctors are taking fibromyalgia seriously. My sister has the disease and she has had trouble getting doctors to believe her. Too many of them have said that her pain is all in her head. It is good that something can help these poor people.
This is very insightful. What a wonderful way to help control pain!
Thanks so much for sharing this post. Not many people understand this illness, so there aren’t really many effective mainstream treatments for it so far. Alternative medicine and hypnosis in particular sound really promising for this!
I agree with Cheryl Martin: It’s good that some doctors are taking fibromyalgia seriously. Some of my family members are suffering as well.
Stacey has hit the nail on the head — Not many people understand this illness, so there aren’t really many effective mainstream treatments for it so far. Alternative medicine and hypnosis in particular sound really promising for this!
I have been suffering for years and am looking forward to a cure through hypnosis.
Absolutly amasing, that hypnosis is now being studied and used to reduce pain and stress levels. I’ll bet there is a lot more still be learned.
While I have never had a hypnotist around when I’ve gotten a headache, I believe that hypnotism can curb pain! It would be a simple redirection of focus from pain to something else. The power of the mind should not be under-estimated in the healing process. Ever hear about laughing as a stress-reducer? IT WORKS! Not only does the laughing redirect your thoughts to happy things, but it changes your whole demeanor, as well! And although you cannot laugh-away a headache, as stress reduction, it’s top-notch!
This is an excellent use of hypnosis! I think that how it works is that it redirects your attention and focus somewhere else, so that rather than concentrating on the pain, you become preoccupied with something else and don’t notice the pain! Another way of substituting one thing for another. Fascinating!
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