Pain Management

Hypnosis is a proven, effective tool for pain management. Medical studies continue to validate the use of hypnosis for many types of pain such as headaches, child birth, painful medical and dental procedures, irritable bowel, arthritis, cancer, and even burns. Hypnosis has a long history of usage in pain management but only in recent years have we begun to understand how it works.

In the October 2008 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Jensen 2008), Mark Jensen, PhD reported research findings identifying several areas of the brain that react when someone is in pain. The areas “light up” when using magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scans. In his findings, Dr. Jenson also noted that those same areas of the brain could be affected through the use of specifically targeted hypnotic suggestions.  The use of hypnotic suggestions reduced or alleviated the activity in the pain centers, thus reducing or alleviating pain sensations and suffering. This is just one example of utilizing modern imaging to help us have a better understanding of how hypnosis can be used for pain management.

One question people often ask is “Will it work for me?” That’s a valid question. The quick answer is that most likely you will be able to get some benefit from hypnosis and, best case is, you may find it to be a very effective pain management tool that you can add to your tool box! So what might YOU expect? To answer that question, we need to discuss hypnotizability and other factors that can enhance the use of hypnosis for pain management.

While everyone’s innate hypnotic ability is unique to them, research tells us that basically 80-90 percent of the population can be hypnotized. Plotting the findings on a bell curve shows that 5-8 percent are extremely hypnotizable, 5-8 percent are not good candidates, and everyone else falls somewhere in-between. This means that the odds are good that you are in that middle group and are hypnotizable to some degree. We can conduct some specific hypnotizability tests in the first session to help determine if hypnosis is a good fit for you.

Two other factors that can boost the effectiveness of using hypnosis for pain management are customized sessions tailored to the individual’s needs and regular practice using self-hypnosis for pain management. Debbie takes these factors into consideration by customizing each pain management session and providing session recordings so that clients can practice at home.

So how are people using hypnosis for pain management today? Well, some people are able to use it to fully alleviate pain, including using it for anesthesia during surgery. Some use it successfully to reduce the intensity of pain making the discomfort easier to handle in daily life. Others find hypnosis to be very supportive and comforting to manage side effects or enhance treatment outcomes while using other things like medications, chemotherapy, and physical therapy. Many people use hypnosis to address all kinds of aches and pains, including headaches and back pain. Last, but not least, many women use hypnosis for childbirth as a way to reduce pain and have a more comfortable birthing experience.

So the bottom line is that odds are good that, with customized sessions and practice, you may find hypnosis to be an effective pain management tool that you can start using immediately. Give it a try!

Important Message:  Patients will need a referral from their health care provider (HCP) in order to be seen for pain management. Hypnosis is a very powerful pain management tool and should only be used when the condition causing the pain has been evaluated and treated by the appropriate health care provider. The referral may simply be a letter from the HCP indicating that it is okay to use hypnosis for pain management for the condition they have been seeing the patient for and there are no known contraindications.

First Session - What to Expect

Debbie’s pain management protocol is customized to meet the needs of the individual. The first session will include getting to know you while taking an extensive history. Debbie will explain what hypnosis is and how it can be used for pain management. After discussing treatment options, she will work with you to create a protocol designed to best meet your needs.

Typically, the first session will include learning self-hypnosis and how to create a very relaxing, comfortable experience. Then additional hypnotic pain management techniques will be explored to find the best and most effective match for you. Usually within 3 sessions, through regular practice, patients have mastered a number of these techniques and are experiencing more positive outcomes.

Payment Options

Accepted methods of payment are Cash, Check, Visa, and Mastercard.  Debbie does not accept insurance.  However, as a Washington State licensed Nurse Practitioner she can provide clients with receipts that they can turn into their insurance company for possible reimbursement. In appreciation for all that they do, US active and retired military personnel receive a $25 discount off their first session with Debbie.  Thanks to those who serve!

“Believe you can and you're halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt