30/04/2010
Hypnotherapy used as a phobia treatment and anaesthesia complement during surgery
by William Hobson
The Daily Mail reports that the UK healthcare system is making increasing use of hypnotherapy as an effective phobia treatment and a complementary form of anaesthesia.
The Mail's Charlotte Kemp spoke to several patients who have used hypnotherapy to undergo intrusive surgical procedures without a general anaesthetic or to conquer their fears of dental treatment. The use of hypnosis in medical treatment has seen a huge resurgence in the past few years as many look to holistic methods for effective solutions to common health problems but such techniques have their origins much further back in history.
In 19th century India, hypnotherapy was often used to help patients tolerate the pain of surgical procedures. The technique fell out of favour with the discovery of ether, one of the first general anaesthetics - seen as having a more universal application than hypnosis as nearly a third of people are resistant to such techniques.
However today, such forms of hypnotherapy are helping people in overcoming anxiety during surgical procedures or as a phobia treatment for those with specific fears.
The Mail reports that several places in the UK - a hospital in London and a dental surgery in Scotland - are offering patients the chance to have hypnotherapy to help them through their procedures. The London hospital makes use of a technique called "hypnosedation", which The Mail says has been used extensively in Europe.
Hypnosedation is where surgical patients are not given general anaesthetic, but instead opt for a combination of hypnotherapy, a mild sedative and a local anaesthetic. According to The Mail this procedure has seen great success in Europe, with one Belgian hospital using it in some 5,000 cases to date. Studies reportedly indicate that those who undergo hypnosedation rather than general anaesthesia can cut their recovery time dramatically, avoiding the side effects of the conventional treatment.
Hypnotherapy helps men to : Next → ← Previous : Doctors don't recommend w