Science Supports Hypnosis for Pain Control
Hypnosis is a tool that offers considerable leverage in changing behaviours and experiences related to pain. (1)
We believe that a clear understanding of the nature of pain, and an awareness of the evidence that hypnotic techniques can help, is an excellent step towards freedom from unnecessary suffering. It helps provide a sense of control. It enables you to take responsibility for your well-being.
Tales of seemingly miraculous relief of pain have been associated with hypnosis from antiquity to the present time.
A meta-analysis of controlled trials of hypnotic analgesia indicates that hypnosis can provide significant relief for 75% of the population. (2)
The effect is largest for those who are highly suggestible, but is also relatively large for moderately suggestible people.
Because hypnotic pain control includes a placebo element, almost everyone can experience a reduction in pain through suggestive techniques.
Pain has a 'sensory / physical component', and an...
UK Hypnosis Convention - Keynote Address
UK Hypnosis Convention 2019 - Last night I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at the gala dinner to 230 guests.
It was a go deep or go home situation. In what was a lovely surprise my friend and chief howler Tim A. Cummins wrote an introduction to my work which Adam Eason read out.
In summary my message was encouragement..
- To assist those in our community, who wish to assist people in theirs.
- To create a practice, that is accepting enough that it can say 'yes to everything' that your client brings into it. Spacious enough to accommodate their pain, their discomfort, their self-doubt, and do so without judgement.
- To study. Not because we seek certainty. But because you wish to be in service to deeper levels of human flourishing.
- To be bold. Engage in self-hypnosis every day.
- To be curious. Test your assertions in the laboratory of your own life.
- To be hypnosis. Reveal your will to act and to shine a light on the possibility of a better future for...
UK Hypnosis Convention - Phenomenological Control
Day 2 of the UK Hypnosis Convention was incredible.
It kicked of with Gary 'Smiler' Turner giving a high-octane lecture about dealing with 'anger.' Great structure, packed with info and a fun delivery.
I spent the rest of the day in the main room with the academics. It was so much more dynamic than I imagined it might be. Absolutely professional, informative talks, all day long.
My old business partner Kev Sheldrake gave a whistlestop history tour of Head Hacking. Using it as a vehicle to illustrate the hacker mindset, the importance of branding, and of course the appliance of science.
Ben Parras shared a fascinating look at the concepts of involuntariness and effortfulness, bringingup some of the most interesting studies into hypnosis.
Dr. Michael Heap, gave a rare and excellent overview of his work as an expert witness in court cases involving hypnosis.
The day however, was utterly stolen by Prof. Zoltan Dienes. He suggested we rebrand hypnosis as 'phenomenological control.'...
