Positive Health Online

Abstract

NICKELSON and colleagues, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon GA 31207, USA write that despite the availability of specialised treatment for chronic pain, including biofeedback training, relaxation training, and hypnotic treatment, most physicians rely upon traditional surgical or drug approaches for control of pain.

Background

Methodology

and Results: The authors present the case study of a patient with severe and chronic pain who obtained little relief from pain medications which also caused side effects. The patient took the initiative to learn and practise self-hypnosis with good results. Her physician in the residents internal medicine clinic support this endeavour and encouraged her to continue self-hypnosis.

Results

Conclusion

This patients success demonstrates that self-hypnosis can be a safe and beneficial approach to control or diminish the pain from chronic pain syndrome and can become a useful part of a physicians therapeutic armamentarium.

References

Nickelson C et al. What if your patient prefers an alternative pain control method? Self-hypnosis in the control of pain. Southern Medical Journal 92(5): 521-3. May 1999.