Hypnosis for relieving physical symptoms

Hypnosis/hypnotherapy is commonly used to support people with managing their experience of physical symptoms including pain, hot flushes, and irritable bowel syndrome.

It is important that if you are wanting to use hypnosis to support pain relief or to manage other physical symptoms, that you first discuss this with your treating doctor/team.

  • Hypnosis for gut health and IBS

    The intricate and important link between brain and gut/digestive system is receiving increasing recognition. This has translated to in the UK, gut focused hypnotherapy being included as a recommended psychological intervention for IBS. In Australia the MONASH University studies and renowned FODMAP program also highlight the benefits of hypnotherapy as part of IBS treatment.

    Clinical Guidance and research about the benefits of hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    • Peters, SL ;Yao, CK; Philpott, H; et.al..2016.Editorial: gut-directed hypnotherapy or low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome? Authors' reply. Alimentary Pharmocology and Therapeutics, vol 44, issue 8. Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apt.13791

    Other references:

    • Peters, S; et.al. 2019. How hypnotherapy is helping treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers. https://lens.monash.edu/@medicine-health/2019/06/24/1351605/how-hypnotherapy-is-helping-people-suffering-from-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

  • Hypnosis for menopause and peri-menopause symptoms

    Are you experiencing sleep loss due to night sweats? Are hot flushes starting to be more than you want to manage during the day, effecting your work or social life? Are you feeling stress or anxiety about the changes your body might be going through? Hypnosis for peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms including hot flushes is increasing being recommended as an alternative non-hormonal complementary therapy.

    It is important you talk with your GP about the range of therapies that are available to help relieve and manage your symptoms.

    Clinical guidance and research evidence about hypnotherapy for managing pain

    • Hickey, M., Szabo, R. A., & Hunter, M. S. (2017). Non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms. BMJ : British Medical Journal (Online), 359 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5101

    Other references:

    • The Women’s. 2017. CBT and hypnosis effective in treating menopause. Link: https://www.thewomens.org.au/news/cbt-and-hypnosis-effective-in-treating-menopause/

    • Roberts RL, et al. 2021. Effect of Hypnosis on Anxiety: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial with Women in Postmenopause. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2021 Dec;28(4):868-881. doi: 110.1586/ern.09.140

    • Elkins GR, et al. 2013. Clinical hypnosis in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes: a randomized controlled trial. Menopause. 2013 Mar;20(3):291-8. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31826ce3ed

  • Hypnosis and pain management

    Hypnosis can be a very useful tool to help manage experiences of physical pain.

    It is critical that if you are considering this that your hypnotherapist work with other specialists and doctors who are already treating you for this condition.

    Experiences of pain that are commonly assisted with hypnosis include:

    • Migraines and headaches

    • Gut pain related to IBS

    • Pain associated with chemotherapy treatments

    • Chronic pain (e.g. back pain)

    Clinical guidance and research evidence about hypnotherapy for managing pain

    • Flynn N. Effect of an Online Hypnosis Intervention in Reducing Migraine Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2019 Jul-Sep;67(3):313-335. doi: 10.1080/00207144.2019.1612674

    • Tan G; et al. 2015. A randomized controlled trial of hypnosis compared with biofeedback for adults with chronic low back pain. European Journal of Pain (London, England). 2015 Feb;19(2):271-280. DOI: 10.1002/ejp.545

    • Ardigo S; et al. 2016. Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study. BMC Geriatrics. 2016 Jan;16:14. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-016-0180-y

    • Elkins G, et al. 2007. Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2007;55(3):275-287. doi:10.1080/00207140701338621