The American Medical Association (AMA) has recognized hypnosis as a beneficial treatment for well over four decades.
In a review of literature published in Psychotherapy Magazine (Volume 7, Alfred A Barrios, PhD) various therapeutic techniques were profiled:
Therapy success compared:
- Hypnosis – reported a 93% success rate after 6 sessions
- Behavioural therapy – 72% after 22 sessions
- Psychotherapy- 38% success rate after 699 sessions!
Forbes – October 21, 2005 – “Getting Hip to Hypnosis” – “Additionally, Stanford’s Spiegel says he’s seen that “people who are mild to moderately overweight had on average a 10- to 15-pound weight loss three months after hypnosis.” – read the entire article.
Health Magazine – March, 2004 – Got IBS? get hypnotized — it just might help . “Research now shows that hypnotherapy may be one of the few effective treatments for irritable bowel syndrome.
Health Magazine – May, 2004 Issue stated: *According to a 1996 analysis by University of Connecticut scientists, dieters who tried hypnosis lost almost twice as much weight as those who didn’t. *In 2000, a Harvard University study of 241 patients found that those who underwent hypnosis before surgery required less pain medication, experienced fewer complications, and were discharged from the hospital sooner than patients who went without.
In 1999, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a Clinical Review of current medical research on hypnotherapy and relaxation therapies, it concludes, • 'There is good evidence from randomized controlled trials that both hypnosis and relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety, particularly that related to stressful situations such as receiving chemotherapy. • 'They are also effective for panic disorders and insomnia, particularly when integrated into a package of cognitive therapy (including, for example, sleep hygiene). • 'A systematic review has found that hypnosis enhances the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for conditions such as phobia, obesity, and anxiety. • 'Randomized controlled trials support the use of various relaxation techniques for treating both acute and chronic pain, […]. • 'Randomized trials have shown hypnosis to be of value in asthma and in irritable bowel syndrome […]. • 'Relaxation and hypnosis are often used in cancer patients. There is strong evidence from randomized trials of the effectiveness of hypnosis and relaxation for cancer related anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting, particularly in children.' (Vickers & Zollman, 'Clinical Review: Hypnosis & Relaxation Therapies', BMJ, 1999)
In 1995, the National Institute for Health (NIH), in the US, established a Technology Assessment Conference that compiled an official statement entitled ‘Integration of Behavioral & Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain & Insomnia.’ This is an extensive report that includes a statement on the existing research in relation to hypnotherapy for chronic pain. It concludes that: The evidence supporting the effectiveness of hypnosis in alleviating chronic pain associated with cancer seems strong. In addition, the panel was presented with other data suggesting the effectiveness of hypnosis in other chronic pain conditions, which include irritable bowel syndrome, oral mucositis [pain and swelling of the mucus membrane], temporomandibular disorders [jaw pain], and tension headaches. (NIH, 1995)
WebMD – “ “Hypnosis Goes Mainstream” ” – By learning self-hypnosis, you can help reduce pain and anxiety. – see complete article.
Prevention Magazine “Why You Should Try Hypnosis” – The latest research shows that it eases pain, speeds healing, increases fertility, even fights cancer. – see complete article
