Hypnosis for Pain Management

If you are reading this it might be because you (or someone you know) is experiencing physical pain and you are looking at options for help with it. If you are suffering from chronic pain you don’t need me to tell you how tiring, difficult and distressing it can be and how much of an impact it can have on your daily life as well as mental and emotional wellbeing.

Individual experiences of living with pain can vary greatly, but some of the key psychological effects that you might be experiencing are

• Depression: the constant presence of pain can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair and worthlessness, increasing the risk of depression
• Anxiety: the fear of future pain episodes or pain worsening can trigger anxiety, leading to hypervigilance and difficulty relaxing
• Difficulties with concentration and memory: pain can disrupt sleep and make it harder to focus on tasks, impacting cognitive function
• Negative thinking patterns: chronic pain can lead to catastrophising (fearing the worst outcome) and feeling helpless, impacting mood and motivation
• Isolation and withdrawal: difficulty participating in activities and social interactions due to pain can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Relationship strain: pain can impact relationships with family and friends, leading to frustration and misunderstandings
• Reduced self esteem: the inability to do things previously enjoyed and the constant challenges of managing pain can negatively impact self esteem

Additional factors to the impact of living with pain

• Type of pain: different types of pain, acute or chronic, can have varying psychological effects
• Individual coping mechanisms: people cope with pain differently, and their individual resilience and support networks can influence the psychological impact
• Severity and duration of pain: the intensity and duration of pain significantly affect the psychological toll

Can Hypnotherapy help with pain management?

There are resources available to help you manage these challenges and improve your overall well-being, one of them being Hypnotherapy. The use of Hypnotherapy in pain management is one of the best documented and evidenced uses of hypnosis because changes in pain perception and experience can be reported and measured. Before embarking on any Hypnotherapy for pain management it is important to see your Dr to make sure that you are receiving any treatment needed for the source of the pain such as medication of physical therapy. Any good Hypnotherapist will want to make sure you are under a Dr’s care before working on pain relief with you. They should also be willing to work in collaboration with your Dr and have experience in working with clients for pain management.

Some ways hypnosis can be used for pain management

• Reducing awareness of pain intensity: hypnosis can help to reduce the focus on intense pain by redirecting attention away from the painful sensations and towards more helpful and comfortable thoughts, feelings and physical sensations
• Improving coping skills: a good Hypnotherapist can teach healthy coping skills that people can use to manage pain on their own, such as Self Hypnosis
• Reducing anxiety and stress: anxiety and stress can worsen pain perception. Hypnosis can help to reduce anxiety and stress, which can indirectly lead to pain relief
• Improving sleep: pain can interfere with sleep, and poor sleep can make pain worse. Hypnosis can help to improve sleep quality, which can lead to better pain management

Pain, particularly chronic pain, is a significant issue in Scotland, impacting individuals, healthcare systems and the economy. Here are some key statistics

Prevalence

• Over one-third (38%) of adults in Scotland reported experiencing chronic pain (lasting 3 months or more) in 2022 (Source: Scottish Health Survey 2022)
• Women (43%) are more likely to experience chronic pain than men (33%) (Source: Scottish Health Survey 2022)
• Chronic pain prevalence increases with age, with 18% of 16-24 year olds and 55% of those aged 75 and above reporting it (Source: Scottish Health Survey 2022)
• Around 6% of children also experience chronic pain, with a higher prevalence among 8-15 year olds compared to younger children (Source: Scottish Health Survey 2022)

Impact

• Pain is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life in Scotland
• It can lead to depression, anxiety and sleep problems
• The economic cost of pain in Scotland is estimated to be in the billions of pounds per year

Healthcare Utilisation

• Referrals to chronic pain clinics are now back to pre-pandemic levels, with over 4,900 patients referred in the quarter ending June 2023 (Source: Public Health Scotland, Chronic Pain Waiting Times)
• However, waiting times for consultant-led clinics remain longer than before the pandemic, with over 20% of patients waiting over 25 weeks for their first appointment (Source: Public Health Scotland, Chronic Pain Waiting Times)

If you are experiencing pain, in sessions, I will guide you through the process of how to manage it better so you can move from coping to thriving.

Sessions are available in person and online. 

Client success stories

‘I originally saw Paula in order to get help with losing weight and painful joints, not only have I lost nearly 2 stone but I also changed many bad eating habits. Her help has transformed my life, she has taught me skills that can help me cope much better with many situations, from losing weight, sleep problems, general positive thinking, pain control and relaxation. I never thought it would be as easy as it has been. I can’t thank her enough.’ Anne F