Hypnosis: what types of pain does it work for?
There is a large body of evidence supporting the use of hypnosis for managing painful symptoms. But pain is varied and complex. This article reviews the evidence for hypnotherapy in managing symptoms for a range of pain presentations.
The short answer is almost certainly yes. Hypnosis works well for a wide range of painful symptoms, from general muscle, bone, and nerve pain to IBS, fibromyalgia, and more. Hypnosis activates regions of the brain that modulate pain – so it changes the way pain is processed, regardless of its cause.
Chronic pain is the most researched and established mode of hypnotherapy. The results of hundreds of clinical trials demonstrate that it works – it is both safe and effective (). Pain management has been the centrepiece of hypnosis since its inception. Indeed, the founder of modern hypnosis – Milton Erikson – discovered its healing potential while treating his own pain associated with polio.
Hypnosis reduces symptoms across a broad range of conditions. Studies have confirmed hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in treating pain associated with muscles and bones (musculoskeletal pain), and with nerves (neuropathic pain). There are consistently positive findings across conditions. Moreover, so-called ‘meta-studies’ – which pool the results of individual studies – find strong effects (McKittrick (2021); Langlois (2022); ).
| Condition | Does hypnosis work? | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General musculoskeletal pain | Langlois (2022) | |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | Roberts et.al (2006) | |
| Headache | Spinhoven et. al (1992) | |
| Neuropathic pain | McKittrick (2021) | |
| Fibromyalgia | Haanen et al. (1991) | |
| Spinal injury | Jensen MP et al. (2009) | |
| Disability-related pain | Jensen et al. (2008) | |
|
Multiple Sclerosis |
Jensen MP et al (2009). | |
| Child birth | (Madden et al., 2016) | |
| Cancer-related pain | Elkins et al (2005) |
The reason that hypnosis works for such a broad range of symptoms and conditions is that hypnosis activates regions of the brain that modulate pain. Pain is experienced via the brain, regardless of the location in the body or the underlying condition. Neuroimaging shows that key areas of the brain respond to hypnosis – the details are in this article.
In sum, the results from a large body of work point to hypnosis as providing rapid and effective symptom relief for a range of pain presentations. If you are unsure whether your condition or symptoms might be suitable for treatment, you can call 0400564638 for a free consultation.
References
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David Dorfman, PhD and others. Hypnosis for Treatment of HIV Neuropathic Pain: A Preliminary Report, Pain Medicine, Volume 14, Issue 7, July 2013, Pages 1048–1056.
Elkins, G., Marcus, J., Cheung, A., Palamara, L., & Rajab, M. H. (2005, January). Hypnosis to reduce pain in cancer survivors with advanced disease: A prospective study. In Psycho-oncology (Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. S63-S63). THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W SUSSEX, ENGLAND: JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.
Haanen HC, Hoenderdos HT, van Romunde LK, et al. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of refractory fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. 1991;18(1):72–5.
Jensen MP, Barber J, Romano JM, et al. A comparison of self-hypnosis versus progressive muscle relaxation in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2009;57(2):198–221.
Jensen MP, Barber J, Romano JM, et al. Effects of self-hypnosis training and EMG biofeedback relaxation training on chronic pain in persons with spinal-cord injury. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2009;57(3):239–68.
McKittrick, M. L., Connors, E. L., & McKernan, L. C. (2022). Hypnosis for chronic neuropathic pain: A scoping review. Pain Medicine, 23(5), 1015-1026.
Roberts L, Wilson S, Singh S, Roalfe A, Greenfield S. Gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: piloting a primary care-based randomised controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract. 2006;56(523):115–21.
Simren M, Ringstrom G, Bjornsson ES, Abrahamsson H. Treatment with hypnotherapy reduces the sensory and motor component of the gastrocolonic response in irritable bowel syndrome. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(2):233–8.
Spinhoven P, Linssen AC, Van Dyck R, Zitman FG. Autogenic training and self-hypnosis in the control of tension headache. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1992;14(6):408–15.
Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., … & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 99, 298-310.
Zitman FG, van Dyck R, Spinhoven P, Linssen AC. Hypnosis and autogenic training in the treatment of tension headaches: a two-phase constructive design study with follow-up. J Psychosom Res. 1992;36(3):219–28.
