The Hypnosis Treatment Option: Proven Solutions for Pain, Insomnia, Stress, Obesity and Other Common Health Problems by Dr. Scott D. Lewis is an excellent wellness tool utilized to manage chronic stress, anxiety, over-medicating and the post surgical recovery process.
According to Lewis, hypnosis is a heightened state of self-awareness with externalities dimmed. At the end of the session, the hypnotist may provide a hypnotic prompt to help change perceptions or behaviors more permanently. Hypnosis transcends relaxation in order to probe the area of visualization so that the patient can feel less pain.
Lewis cites studies that show that hypnosis can change allergic and inflammatory reactions, control seizures, boost the productivity of cells involved in immunity, provide some relief for asthma patients and enable hemophiliacs to control excessive bleeding. In addition, hypnosis has been used to increase the helper T cells in HIV patients. Hypnosis has helped to reduce flashback and panic symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lewis explains how to locate a good hypnotist through The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, The International Journal for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and The American Academy of Medical Hypnoanalysts. The author cautions patients to avoid age regression therapy, unsupported miracle claims, discontinuance of medications and lengthy time commitments.
The book explains how hypnosis can lessen generalized anxiety, performance anxiety over test-taking, public-speaking phobias and fear of flying or falling. At bottom, hypnosis can help patients conquer fears without too much medication. Since hypnosis can help control stress and panic, it is used successfully in lessening the stress from the onset of an asthma attack. Hypnosis has helped in reducing the anxiety and fear during pregnancy and labor.
Lewis mentions eight ways that hypnosis can reduce chronic pain. Examples are overriding pain signals, changing pain perceptions, reducing catastrophizing, decreasing muscle tension, improving sleep and building up confidence.
Lewis provides a directory of conditions helped by hypnosis. The list is exhaustive. Some of the classic chronic conditions helped by hypnosis include allergies, bulimia, burns, post-chemotherapy, cystic fibrosis, depression, difficulty in swallowing, hemophilia, immunity, impotence, multiple sclerosis, peptic ulcers, post-traumatic stress disorder, urinary incontinence and warts.
The Hypnosis Treatment Option is a helpful supplement for your existing medical treatment regimen. When used in the proper context, hypnosis can be a helpful modality for reducing pain under highly controlled conditions in coordination with your physician. Hypnosis is not a cure-all. For instance, patients with an imploding gallbladder, burst appendix or gross calcifications should seek immediate surgical attention to remove the source of the pain while medical intervention is still possible.
Article comments
1 - Dr. Joseph S. Maresca
Hypnosis is a good non-medicinal treatment which can be helpful if done professionally. Some people simply cannot learn how to relax on their own and hypnosis is helpful in these contexts.
2 - Dr. Scott Lewis
Thank you, Dr. Maresca, for this review!
3 - Dr. Joseph S. Maresca
You are very welcome. I believe that your book does much to advance the public understanding of hypnosis. There are also huge advantages for hypnosis in containing health care costs.
4 - Rob
It's a fantastic book, before reading I had no idea about the ways in which biology can be effected by hypnosis (asthma, cell production etc.)
I reccomend it as a must have for anyone studying hypnosis or hypnotherapy