Hypnosis and Surgery Anxiety

Many individuals have high anxiety for surgery or various healthcare procedures as well as dental work.  Individuals may have higher anxiety levels prior to the procedure and may need calming.  Hypnotherapy is an excellent way to help someone find calmness before procedures.  Some medical professionals also learn these techniques to help various patients better prepare for a procedure.   This is becoming more and more common in dental offices and other physician offices that offer minor surgeries.  For those going to larger hospitals for more major procedures, certified clinical hypnotherapists can help individuals find more calm before the procedure.

Hypnosis can ease anxiety over medical procedures. Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification and see if it meets your professional goals

 

The article, “Clinical hypnotherapy can relieve pre-surgery anxiety, says consultant” by FMT  reporters looks closer at how dentists, medical professionals and others can help prepare patients for a procedure through clinical hypnotherapy.   The article looks deeper at how hypnosis plays a large role in calming emotions and limiting possible trauma from emerging.   In particular the article looks at how hypnosis can also play a larger role in pain management itself during a minor procedure.  The article states,

“Going into surgery can cause a lot of anxiety for many, but experts say that clinical hypnotherapy can help patients get rid of this fear. Dr Anand Chandrasegaran uses clinical hypnotherapy to treat patients with acute procedural anxiety, a condition which can make patients extremely anxious before surgery. But just one session of hypnotherapy before surgery can reverse this, making patients more relaxed and less fearful.”

Clinical hypnotherapy can relieve pre-surgery anxiety, says consultant”, FMT Staff.  FMT.  August 19th, 2022. To read the entire article, please click here

Commentary

Clinical hypnotherapy is a branch of hypnotherapy that is specifically geared towards helping patients in a clinical setting. This type of hypnotherapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help patients overcome various mental and emotional disorders.  There are many reasons to choose hypnosis as a therapeutic modality. First, hypnosis is a very effective way to achieve a relaxed state both physically and mentally. This relaxed state is conducive to healing and allows the individual to access deep levels of consciousness where change can occur. Second, hypnosis is a natural state that we all experience every day. We go into a trance-like state several times a day when we daydream or become absorbed in an activity.

Clinical hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias.  As stated, it is also a possible tool to help with pain management and also reducing anxiety prior to medical procedures.

Clinical Hypnotherapy and pain management

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests hypnosis can be an effective tool for managing pain. For example, one study found that cancer patients who underwent hypnosis experienced less pain and anxiety than those who did not .  Hypnosis works by altering our state of consciousness and relaxing the mind-body connection . This allows us to focus our attention away from the pain and on something else entirely.

The effects of hypnosis on pain have been extensively studied. In general, hypnosis has been found to be effective in reducing both the intensity and perception of pain. Additionally, hypnosis has been found to be effective in reducing both the physiological and psychological response to pain. The mechanisms by which hypnosis exerts its effects on pain are not fully understood, but it is thought that hypnotic suggestion modulates cognitive and emotional processing of pain information.

Clinical Hypnotherapy and anxiety before surgery

In addition helping with pain management, hypnosis can also reduce anxiety before surgery.  Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility in which individuals are more open to suggestions for change. This state can be induced by a trained professional through the use of relaxation and focused attention techniques. Research has shown that hypnosis may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, as it can help to reduce fear and worry, and increase relaxation and confidence.  These are extremely important aspects for an individual’s state of mind prior to surgery.

When anxiety occurs before surgery, it can increase the risk of complications and negatively affect the surgical outcome. There are several strategies that can be used to reduce anxiety before surgery, including relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication.  There is a long-standing debate in the medical community about the efficacy of hypnosis as a surgical intervention. Some proponents argue that hypnosis can be used to control pain and anxiety during surgery, while detractors claim that there is no evidence to support these claims. Despite the lack of consensus, some studies have shown that hypnosis can be an effective tool for managing pain and anxiety during surgery.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, hypnosis has been found to be an effective way to manage pain before surgery. It is safe, non-invasive, and can be used in conjunction with other pain management methods. If you are considering surgery, talk to your doctor about using hypnosis to help control your pain.  In addition, hypnosis has been shown to be an effective tool in reducing anxiety before surgery. It is important to remember that everyone responds differently to hypnosis, so it is important to find a qualified professional who can help you determine if it is the right tool for you.

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy. After completing the courses and the practicum, one can then apply for the four year certification.
Additional Resources
“Cognitive Hypnotherapy in the Management of Pain”.  Dowd, E. Thomas. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. Vol  15 Issue  2 , DOI:  10.1891/0889-8391.15.2.87.  Access here
 “Hypnotherapy for the Management of Chronic Pain”. Gary Elkins,1 Mark P. Jensen, and David R. Patterson. Int J Clin Exp Hypn Author manuscript; available in PMC 2009 Sep 25. Access here
 “Hypnotherapy: What is it and How Can it Treat Chronic Pain?”. Ann-Marie D’arcy-Sharpe.  Pathways. February 26th, 2020.  Access here
  “Hypnosis”. Mayo Clinic Staff.  Mayo Clinic. Nov  14th, 2020.  Access here