Hypnotherapy: Valid Treatment for a Wide Range of Problems

The use of hypnosis in medicine has drastically increased during the last decade as it has become an accepted treatment alternative for a wide range of health and medical issues.

"There has been at least a 10-fold increase in referrals over the last 10 years," said George R. Jacobson, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. "Hypnosis is increasingly becoming recognized throughout medicine for its clinical utility."

Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, creates an altered state of consciousness in which a patient's attention becomes more focused and open to suggestion.

There are various hypnotherapy techniques, which are used depending on personal preferences and situations. Many techniques invoke the powers of suggestion and mental imagery to ease or eliminate the symptoms of physical and mental issues ranging from hypertension to overeating.

For instance, clinicians might describe images that create a sense of relaxation, security and well-being, and then suggest ways in which patients can achieve their goals.

Another method stimulates mental imagery by coaching patients to visualize themselves accomplishing their goals. For example, athletes who are seeking better performance are directed to visualize objectives such as hitting a baseball or achieving a bullseye in target practice.

In the United States there have been many misperceptions surrounding the practice of hypnosis, notes Dr. Jacobson. "Unfortunately, it generally had a poor reputation because it was often used as entertainment in show-biz type activities."

Dr. Jacobson dispels these myths, emphasizing, first, that people cannot be put under hypnosis without their consent and active participation; second, that hypnotherapists cannot control the actions of those under hypnosis; and third, that people using hypnotherapy do not surrender their free will, lose consciousness, or experience amnesia afterward.

In fact, many people choose to hypnotize themselves, seeking training from a certified hypnotherapist who teaches them some simple techniques.

"For the last 30 years, I have been practicing twice-daily meditation and self-hypnosis," says Dr. Jacobson. "First of all it feels good, second, it keeps me healthy and young," he notes.

A Widely Recognized Treatment
The National Institutes of Health recently created the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), an office for the study of alternative medicine that includes hypnosis, biofeedback, acupuncture, herbal medicine and meditation. "It's very encouraging to see that the federal government is actually funding this type of research," said Dr. Jacobson.

Hypnotherapy is recognized by the American Medical Association as a valid medical treatment for both physical and psychological conditions. Hypnotherapy is being used to:

• Change negative behaviors such as smoking and overeating
• Reduce fear, stress and anxiety
• Treat pain during childbirth and reduce labor time
• Control pain during dental and surgical procedures
• Relieve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Eliminate or decrease the intensity of phobias
• Lower blood pressure
• End bed-wetting
• Control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
• Reduce the intensity or frequency of headaches, including migraines
• Treat and ease the symptoms of asthma

Unfortunately, many insurance companies still do not cover alternative medicine care, including hypnosis, "but there is a trend toward more open-mindedness about it," Dr. Jacobson says.

Hypnosis is even making significant strides in the field of dermatology. Dr. Jacobson is currently seeing a man who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that has caused all of his hair to fall out.

"He had no eyebrows, no eyelashes, no hair … he was completely bald from head to toe," Dr. Jacobson. "There is one study in the literature of 12 or 13 people that indicates that hypnosis can cause people to regrow hair. I've only seen him twice, but he was here yesterday and his hair was growing back. He's on a lot of medications … I'm not saying it's the hypnosis itself, but something is working."

Jacobson believes that the hypnosis is helping to reduce the man's stress level, which alters the body's chemistry and, as a result, may alter it in a way that allows his hair to regrow. "It's an unusual case," he says. "It's far more common for me to see people who are dealing with more traditional problems such as anxiety, depression and pain."

Avoiding Fraud
Dr. Jacobson warns that because there currently is no mandatory licensing needed to practice hypnosis, it's possible for people to call themselves hypnotists and practice in any manner they choose.

"It's unregulated," Dr. Jacobson said. "There is a lot of fraud and foolishness going on giving hypnosis a bad reputation, but in true clinical practice it's fascinating the way it's being used."

Licensed health care professionals who practice hypnotherapy, such as psychologists, doctors and social workers, are trained in hypnosis in addition to their university training. Certified lay hypnotherapists have completed 200 or more hours of training.

To avoid fraudulent practices, patients can check whether the practitioner has a voluntary license with a handful of reputable organizations. Dr. Jacobson has board certification with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis; other certifying organizations include the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and American Dental Association.

These are some of the reputable organizations that can be used as a guide when determining the validity of a hypnotist, he says. Some questions to ask when choosing a hypnotherapist:

• Do you have training in a field such as psychology, medicine, social work or dentistry?
• Are you licensed in your specialty in this state?
• Where did you go to school, and where did you do your internship, residency or both?
• If you're a lay hypnotist, how much training have you had and from which school?
• What professional organizations do you belong to?
• How long have you been in practice?
• What are your fees?

Hypnosis Can Speed Recovery
Dr. Jacobson receives many of his referrals from the department of anesthesiology to treat chronic pain in patients who haven't fully responded to medication.

"I get a lot of chronic pain patients, a lot of migraine patients," Dr. Jacobson said. "It gives them hope to know that there is still something that might work."

"I've worked with a number of women who wanted to use hypnosis for a drug-free, natural childbirth," he adds. Using hypnosis before, during and after surgery typically reduces medication costs by an average of $200 per patient. It reduces the need for anesthesia, shortens the post-operative recovery period and speeds up recovery."

Recent research supports the view that hypnotic communication and suggestions effectively changes aspects of the person's physiological and neurological functions, according to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Although there are no definitive data indicating how hypnosis is so effective, Dr. Jacobson has seen its beneficial effects work wonders for his patients time and again. "The mind can overcome the body," he affirms.

"I am absolutely dedicated to this practice."

George R. Jacobson, MD, PhD, practices at the Behavioral Health Center - Tosa Center.

For more information on this topic, see the HealthLink article Using Biofeedback to Reduce the Health Damages of Stress.

MCW Health News presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.