Posted for April 2016
Chronic pain management associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) can be challenging and often involves a host of side-effect laden medications. But, as reported on the website of the Arthritis Foundation, there may be another way to handle such pain. The article titled Hypnosis for Pain Relief cites studies that demonstrate arthritic pain relief for 75% of patients who used hypnotherapy. While not everyone in the studies experienced such relief, the fact that three out of four did have favorable outcomes is impressive.
The article states that between four and ten hypnotherapy sessions are usually required to produce effective results. These sessions often focus on guided imagery that is tailored by an experienced hypnotherapist to the specific needs of each individual. Such imagery often involves imagining a favorite activity, a pleasant vacation, or recollection or creation of a relaxing and pain-free place when the mind can be trained to go when pain occurs.
The benefits of hypnosis for pain relief can continue long after the initial sessions, since those suffering from chronic pain are often instructed in methods of self-hypnosis that they can do on their own once the initial sessions have concluded.
The Arthritis Foundation article says that children who suffer occasional or chronic pain can also benefit from hypnosis. While the guided imagery aspect of hypnosis is a bit different for children (with the image being playing ball, attending a birthday party, or other child-friendly activity) the results seem just as impressive as those experienced by adults.
The article further points out that since hypnosis is safe (there are no known side effects) a person who is experiencing chronic or occasional pain from arthritis or other causes really have little to lose by trying hypnotherapy.
For a free telephone or in-person consultation with a Certified Hypnotherapist, contact the Louisville Hypnosis Academy.