A team of German researchers has come up with a revolutionary self-hypnosis therapy for patients with chronic pain which defies conventional means of treatment with medication or exercises.
Finding relief when traditional methods fail The scientists at the University of Goettingen say they are able to teach patients to hypnotise themselves into easing and in some cases wholly alleviating chronic pain.
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"Our method is proven to be effective for patients with back pain, neck pain and migraines," says Dr Stefan Jacobs. It is particularly effective with patients who have had no relief from medication or traditional therapies."
Small number tested so far However, the experts cautioned that their method has been tested so far on just 14 patients, albeit with 100 per cent success.
The psychologists have developed a behavioural therapy based on individually geared self-hypnosis.
In order to alleviate pain, the patient goes on a fantasy journey. Patients learn, under instruction from therapists, how to put themselves into a state of utter and deep relaxation.
This form of auto-hypnosis succeeds not only in markedly reducing pain, says Jacobs, but also in alleviating its recurrence.
It also helps in lifting pain-related depression, in increasing productivity in everyday activities and in improving the quality of life for pain sufferers.
Beyond all other help The 14 patients in his study were all considered "beyond therapy" after medication, physical therapy and even operative procedures had failed to relieve their chronic suffering.
Patients who were able to hypnotise themselves twice a day showed marked reduction in chronic pain and its recurrence, he said.
"A three-month check-up showed the pain was less in all patients, and in some patients it was gone and had not recurred," he said.
Follow-up studies will be aimed at determining whether it is possible to reduce dependence on pain medication with use of the hypnosis therapy. – (Sapa)
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