Healing through Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy is an alternative healing method that facilitates other types of therapies and treatments. This method is conducted only by professionally trained and licensed psychologists. In hypnosis, the psychologists suggest treatments involving sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior. People respond to hypnosis in different ways; some become alert, while others experience relaxation and calmness. Hypnosis is commonly featured in books and portrayed in television shows. However, contrary to its depictions, people receiving this alternative healing method do not lose control over their own behavior. People still remain aware of who they are, where they are, and what transpired during the process of hypnosis, unless amnesia has been suggested. This process allows people to become more open to suggestions, but it does not mean that the person is forced through the suggested experience. Hypnosis is a controversial treatment that is often thought to exist only in fiction. However, most psychologists use the method to treat various emotional and psychological problems. Many consider it as a powerful and effective technique in treating pain, anxiety, and mood disorders. Some psychologists also use hypnosis to help patients get over habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. Hypnosis is also said to be effective at healing gastro-intestinal disorders and skin conditions and encouraging post-surgical recovery. However, hypnosis may not always be useful for psychological and medical problems. The extent of its effect depends on the ability of a person to be hypnotized. Motivation and compliance to treatment are factors that affect the receptiveness of a person towards these kinds of alternative healing methods. Patients found to be highly hypnotizable often experience longer-lasting relief compared to those who are not. For instance, a person experiencing chronic pain may initially opt for intravenous treatment and need more motivation to be receptive to alternative healing methods such as hypnosis. Many researchers find that chronic pain usually involves psychosocial factors, which can be treated by consistent hypnosis. The advantage of hypnosis and other alternative healing methods compared to sedation for pain relief is the lower cost, as hypnosis is half as expensive as conscious IV sedation. Moreover, hypnosis is also a painless treatment, which is why more people are now comfortably practicing it. Also, hypnotherapy is applicable to a wide variety of clinical settings and psychological problems.