Many chronic pain conditions can be significantly improved by learning self-hypnosis and techniques for pain control. The work generally focuses on two key areas: the pain stimulus itself and the individual’s response to that stimulus.
Melzack and Wall’s Gate Control Theory of Pain is a useful framework for understanding how attention and perception influence pain. It’s well worth reading up on.
As an example, one client came to see me with an inoperable tumour on her chest wall. Despite receiving radiotherapy and taking strong pain medication, her experience of pain varied dramatically from day to day. On some days, it was unbearable; on others, it was barely noticeable. Since the tumour itself was relatively stable, we explored what factors were contributing to these fluctuations. It became clear that her attention, emotional state, and environmental cues were playing a major role in her perception of pain.
The goal of this work isn’t always to eliminate pain completely, although for some, this does happen, but rather to shift how the pain is experienced and where attention is directed. For instance, many people report being deeply engaged in an activity, completely unaware of their discomfort, until someone asks, “How’s your pain today?” That simple question can immediately draw focus back to the pain that was previously outside of awareness. Hypnosis allows us to explore and influence this mechanism directly.
If you’d like to discuss this further or arrange a referral, please email me.