Pain management
Chronic pain is a complex problem that can be difficult to treat. Often, a variety of approaches are needed to alleviate pain, improve independence, and help you cope with the emotional impact.
There are many causes of long-term pain, including conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Such concerns require medical intervention, and a treatment plan to better manage the pain. For many, complementary approaches such as hypnotherapy are part of this plan.
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Types of pain
There are two different types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain, also known as short-term pain, is usually the result of an accident or temporary illness. In this case, your doctor will make a diagnosis and suggest ways of managing the pain, for example with analgesics.
Chronic pain, or long-term pain, is often more difficult to manage. Pain may be the result of a purely medical problem, or it may have no obvious cause. This doesn't mean the pain isn't real, but it does make treatment all the more complex.
If you are experiencing pain, it is always advisable to consult your doctor. He or she can investigate further to determine the cause, and the best way to treat it. Certain diseases and conditions are well known to cause pain, including the following:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and stiffening of the joints. Depending on its severity, the pain can be mild or intense, making daily life truly difficult.
Cancer
Most people who develop cancer will experience pain at some point. This may be due to the tumor itself, or to the cancer treatment. Again, the degree of pain will depend on individual circumstances.
Headaches and migraines
What we call cluster headaches, cause sudden, sharp pain in the head and can last from 15 minutes to three hours. As their name suggests, they tend to occur in clusters, leaving the sufferer in great pain.
Migraines, on the other hand, are a particularly painful form of headache that can cause vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise. If you suffer from migraines on a regular basis, your doctor may prescribe medication.
CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
This condition generally develops after an injury has been sustained. The pain that follows the injury is continuous, and tends to be disproportionate to the initial injury.
Endometriosis
This gynecological condition occurs when cells of the type found in the uterus are found in other parts of the body. For some women, the condition is painless. The majority, however, experience pelvic pain, intense pain during menstruation, and pain during and after intercourse.
Fibromyalgia
The cause(s) of fibromyalgia are unfortunately unknown. Symptoms include generalized pain with a sensation of muscle stiffness. Painkillers, physiotherapy and relaxation therapies are normally recommended.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain, nerves and spinal cord. Around half of all MS sufferers will experience pain. Pain can be either musculoskeletal, due to pressure on muscles and joints, or neuropathic, where damaged nerve fibers cause a burning or stabbing sensation.
Sciatica and back pain
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is irritated in the back, often after a herniated disc. For all concerned, this causes intense pain in the leg. Other forms of back pain can be caused by previous injury(ies) or muscle overuse.
Hypnosis for pain relief
Therapies that address the mind-body connection are often recommended for long-term pain sufferers. Stress and anxiety are common side-effects of pain, and can even aggravate the sensation. The way the mind reacts to pain is also linked to the perception of physical sensations.
Helping to reduce stress and modify pain-related thought patterns can therefore make a huge difference to pain perception. For results, many opt for hypnotherapy.
When you're in hypnosis, you concentrate on relaxing and letting go of distracting thoughts. This temporarily desensitizes the conscious part of your mind, opening you up to the power of suggestion. At this stage, your hypnotherapist can make suggestions to encourage pain relief. Most hypnotherapists also give post-hypnotic suggestions, enabling you to practice self-hypnosis at the end of your sessions.
Rather than convincing you that your pain doesn't exist, hypnosis for pain aims to manage any fear and anxiety you may have about your pain. It also reduces stress, and relaxes the nervous system to help it react less to pain.
Hypnosis for pain relief also refocuses your mind, taking it away from the pain and onto something more pleasant. For example, many hypnotherapists will ask you to imagine you're in a pleasant place, like a beach. Using visualization techniques, they may ask you to describe the place in more detail. To think about the look of the sea, the warmth of the sun and the feel of sand between your toes, to help distract you from your pain.
How many sessions are required?
The number of sessions you need will depend on your personal situation, but hypnosis for pain generally requires between four and ten sessions. Some hypnotherapists will make recordings for you to use at home afterwards, so that you can continue the hypnosis techniques at home.
By its very nature, hypnotherapy doesn't work for everyone. However, it's a natural therapy with no side effects, so it's definitely worth a try. Many people say it's an effective tool to use as part of their chronic pain management plan.
