For people living with Chronic Pain life can be quite debilitating and stop you from getting on with everyday activities. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be used effectively to support wellbeing and physical health alongside other more traditional treatments.
The brain can be thought of as a switchboard taking messages from sensors all over the body. When we are injured, we feel acute pain which is sharp and specific and these messages are carried by fast A fibres.
Chronic pain such as throbbing, aching or burning tends to be less specific and may occur sometime after an injury – these messages are carried by slower C fibres.
In the brain, the messages carried by the A fibres are given precedence so, if you have an aching muscle (C fibres) but then burn yourself on a hot pan (A fibres), the pain from the burn will take precedence and you will not feel the muscle ache.
Hypnotherapy can make use of this ‘Pain Gate’ to direct attention away from pain. Pain is almost always accompanied by an emotional reaction and messages are stronger when we are anxious, panicky or depressed. So, by being relaxed and calm, we can help to reduce the pain. We can learn to cope better with pain by selecting the messages that are allowed through.
I started seeing Jane after a flare up of abdominal problems left me with pain and nausea, spending most of my spare time on the sofa. Jane hasn’t cured my tummy problems, but she’s taken the worry away.
I’m now back to living my life; exercising, running around after my kids, and feeling positive. The abdominal problems are still there but they don’t hold me back any more.
Jane has taken me from couch to running 5k again within the space of a few weeks with her treatments, it’s been amazing!
I would recommend her to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions or physical symptoms. She has turned my thinking around and helped me put everything in perspective so my problems no longer rule my life.
K, Quinn, Client.
If you wish to have further information on the use of hypnotherapy in coping with pain, you can contact me through my online form.
Support can also be found from these two charities Action on Pain and Pain Concern. When dealing with any Chronic Illness it is wise to contact medical professionals. The NHS offers some guidance and advice on their website.