More and more is being learned (or “re-learned”) each day about the mind-body connection. The relatively new field of psychoneuroimmunology is exploding with amazing discoveries about how thoughts and emotions affect the body’s immune and other systems, to create or reverse dis-ease.
Although medical “evidence” in the way of approved and reproducible large-scale studies are slow to come about, case stories of how people have used mind-body-spirit techniques–such as meditation, prayer, visualization, affirmations, and hypnosis -abound.
Hypnosis is a very effective mind-body-spirit technique for producing change. And cancer patients have a variety of psychological, medical, and even spiritual needs that may be addressed through hypnosis.
The side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments are popularly regarded as being as bad as–or even worse than–the cancer itself. Such side effects, which include nausea, anticipatory nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hair loss, and even radiation burning are often successfully prevented or reduced using hypnotic suggestion.
Since many medications given to cancer patients are to deal with these numerous side effects, by using hypnosis to assist you in avoiding or reducing these side effects, you will have the added benefit of reducing the amount of medications you and your body must cope with taking.
Hair loss is another common concern among people who must undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments. There are some wonderful hypnotic suggestions that have been shown to be effective in greatly reducing and even preventing hair loss from these treatments. That is a big relief to many people and helps increase the self-esteem and dignity that many feel they lose along with their hair.
Pain–whether it be from the effects of the cancer or of the chemo or radiation–is a prominent issue for some. As discussed under “surgery,” hypnosis is very effective in pain management. In fact, this is one of the most well-known applications of hypnosis. With decreased pain also comes the ability to feel more comfortable, resume favorite or even every-day activities, and reduce pain medication. And, at a minimum, the use of hypnosis for pain management allows terminal patients to live out their remaining days in some peace and comfort while not under a haze of strong pain medication.
The ability to control nausea and vomiting through hypnosis has several advantages: When used during the treatments, it makes the experience less stressful and helps the time pass more quickly (since time seems shorter while in hypnosis). As a skill that most anyone can learn and use themselves, it offers a sense of personal control over the cancer, treatments, and outcome, rather than the increased sense of helplessness and depression that the use of numerous drugs and giving one’s self over to the medical system can often induce.
Among the numerous tests and procedures that you may go through during your road to healing, you may find that a strong fear or phobia (such as a fear of enclosed spaces, doctors/hospitals, or needles) is creating a lot of anxiety for you or even impeding your ability to go through the suggested treatments. Hypnosis has been helping people for countless years to eliminate such fears or reduce them down to manageable levels.
Some of my most rewarding sessions have been working with cancer patients to prepare them physically, emotionally, and even spiritually for what lies ahead in their healing and improve their chances of recovery. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with this issue, read some of my cancer clients’ testimonials on my website at hypnocoachlisa.com/Testimonials.html and contact me for a free consultation.
Lisa Smith is a Certified Master Hypnotherapist, Wellness Coach, and NeuroLinguistic Programming Practitioner in the Virginia Beach area. She is a sought-after speaker, workshop presenter, and group coaching facilitator for creating health and self-fulfillment.
Her private practice, Life by Design Coaching and Hypnotherapy, offers coaching, hypnosis, NLP, and other options for health and self-improvement. In her 11 years as a hypnotherapist, she has conducted over 8,000 hypnosis sessions with children and adults for weight loss, addictions; stress and anxiety; phobias; childbirth; surgery preparation, cancer, pain management, and other mind-body healing. Sessions can be conducted in person or by phone. Visit her website at hypnocoachlisa.com for contact and other information.
Tags: Cancer, chemo, chemotherapy, diarrhea, hair loss, hypnosis, nausea, pain, side effects, vomiting