Dr. Andrew Weil on hypnosis - Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy: The Power of Suggestion

First, I’d like to dispel some common misconceptions about this therapy. For some people who have never tried it, the idea of going into a hypnotic trance may seem weird or scary. But the fact is that we’ve all experienced trance states in everyday life--whether daydreaming, watching a movie, driving home on autopilot, or practicing meditation or other relaxation techniques. Essentially, trance is an altered state of consciousness marked by decreased scope and increased intensity of awareness. What distinguishes hypnotherapy is that it involves a deliberate choice to enter this state of consciousness for a goal beyond relaxation: to focus your concentration and use suggestion to promote healing. It can be done in person with a hypnotherapist or you can do it yourself, called self-hypnosis.

    Parlor tricks and stage shows aside, a clinical hypnotherapist will not make you quack like a duck or sing like Elvis. The person in a hypnotic trance is always in control, just as someone who is daydreaming can decide to go on or stop at any time. While the practitioner serves as a teacher or guide, the only person who can hypnotize you is you, since trance is a latent potential of your own mind. Therefore, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.

      Some people use it to ease their aching backs. Others find it relieves eczema. Even one of the hot-air balloonists who broke world records by flying around the globe admits he relied on it to steady his nerves and catch some sleep while at the mercy of the jet stream. Hypnotherapy, or trance work, is a group of techniques that allow practitioners and patients to take advantage of the mind-body connection to foster healing. It’s also one of the most common referrals we make for our patients here at the University of Arizona’s Integrative Medicine Clinic. I’ve often recommended it in this newsletter for a wide variety of conditions, and this month I’d like to offer some tips for using it wisely.

From Ancient Roots to Modern Use

     Known as "sleep healing" in ancient Greece and "mind cure" in the fourteenth through mid-nineteenth centuries, what we now call hypnosis has a long history of therapeutic use. In the first half of this century it came into favor as a treatment for battle fatigue (what would now be called post-traumatic stress disorder), and later found a niche as a useful approach for kicking habits such as smoking and overeating. More recently I’ve seen this versatile modality gain wider acceptance for a broader spectrum of applications, as more and more people explore mind-body approaches to healing. Meanwhile, scientific researchers have been looking at the benefits of hypnotherapy in a number of small studies. Here’s a brief sampling of what they’ve found:

• Irritable bowel syndrome. A British study of 18 adults with IBS published in The Lancetfound that hypnosis "strikingly" reduced colonic motility, thus decreasing diarrhea and cramping (July 11, 1992).

• Erective dysfunction. In a controlled study of 79 men with impotence from no known organic cause, only hypnosis proved more effective than a placebo, boosting sexual function by 80 percent (British Journal of Urology, February 1996).

• Preparing for surgery. A controlled study of 32 coronary bypass patients showed that those taught self-hypnosis pre-operatively were more relaxed after surgery and had less need for pain medication (Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, February 1997).

• Pain. A review panel appointed by the National Institutes of Health found "strong evidence" for the use of hypnosis in alleviating pain associated with cancer (Journal of the American Medical Association, July 24-31, 1996). J.Q. Public is an accomplished actor who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression. Her roles are often noted for their unique blend of passion, grace, and fire. J.Q. has created characters that are unforgettable.

http://blacktown-advocate.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/harvey-and-cole-are-ready-for-a-rematch/

COUNTRY music star Adam Harvey says he’s all set to hit the Blacktown Workers Club stage this Saturday for the final leg of his Rematch tour with Beccy Cole.

Speaking with the Advocate last week, Harvey said visits to western Sydney brings back some of his favourite touring memories.

But few people know that this highly regarded, multi-award winning country singer once underwent hypnotherapy to cure a dibilitating fear of the stage.

“I was supporting Gina Jeffries at a show in Goulburn, but when I went to open my mouth nothing came out,” Harvey said.

“It was single-handedly one of the most horrifying moments of my professional career. I literally bolted off stage.”

Harvey underwent treatment from a prominent Melbourne hypnotherapist who was recommended by several AFL players for treating anxiety.

He is now just four weeks away from releasing the single Falling Into Place from his tenth studio album.

Asked if he preferred touring or recording, Harvey said his greatest fear turned out to be his greatest love.

“I feel so completely at home on stage and touring. It’s the most amazing experience,” he said.

The Rematch tour with fellow country artist Beccy Cole, is the culmination of years of friendly rivalry between the two stars.

As solo artists both sit above at pinnacle of their illustrious and coveted careers but together they created a chemistry unrivalled by their peers.

“We definitely like to see who gets the biggest rise out of the audience,” Harvey said.

“We both play off each other really well, which is why we keep touring and recording together.”

* The Rematch tour will hit Blacktown Workers Club on Saturday, June 18. Tickets are $35 for members and $38 for visitors. They will then perform at the Castle Hill RSL on Saturday, July 9, tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children under 15.