Hypnosis And Hypnotherapy - Myth Or Medical Fact?

By Author: Mark Davis
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Hypnosis has a checkered history in the public mind. There is a general perception that it is either a powerful and manipulative technique which can be used effectively to help us achieve change that we can't manage by ourselves. Others believe it to be complete hogwash - the domain of stage entertainers, magicians and quacks.

Let's put the record straight.

Where does hypnosis originate from?
Hypnosis originates from the work of James Braid who was fascinated by the work of the Mesmerists but sought a scientific explanation. He coined the term Hypnosis to prevent being confounded with those who entertain those extreme notions [sc. Mesmeric power, clairvoyance, magnetic fluid etc.].

So the origin of hypnosis was with an eminent scientist trying to wrest beneficial therapeutic processes from quackery and superstition.

Is hypnosis recognised as a beneficial therapeutic method by any of the official medical institutions? Most certainly.

British Medical Association 1955 Report
In 1955, the BMA commissioned a Subcommittee, to deliver a report on hypnosis. They found:

"hypnotism ...
... is of value and may be the treatment of choice in some cases of psycho-somatic disorder . it has proved its ability to remove symptoms and to alter morbid habits of thought and behavior. there is a place for hypnotism in the production of anesthesia or analgesia for surgical and dental operations" (BMJ, April, 1955)

In 1958, the American Medical Association (AMA) commissioned a report which concludes,
"That the use of hypnosis has a recognized place in the medical armamentarium and is a useful technique in the treatment of certain illnesses "(JAMA, 1958).

In 1999, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a Clinical Review of current medical research on hypnotherapy and relaxation therapies, it concluded:
Hypnosis and relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety.It is also effective for panic disorders and insomnia, particularly when integrated into a package of cognitive therapy. Hypnosis enhances the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for conditions such as phobia, obesity, and anxiety..of value in asthma and in irritable bowel syndrome. Strong evidence from randomized trials of the effectiveness of hypnosis and relaxation for cancer related anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting, particularly in children.
('Clinical Review: Hypnosis & Relaxation Therapies', BMJ, 1999)

In 2001, the BPS commissioned a working party of expert psychologists to publish a report entitled The Nature of Hypnosis. They found strong evidence that hypnotherapy was beneficial for:

management and relief of both acute and chronic pain.significantly reducing general anxiety, tension and stress assisting in insomnia alleviating the symptoms of a range of complaints. including tension headaches and migraine; asthma; gastro-intestinal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome; warts; and possibly other skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis and urticaria inclusion in a weight reduction program where it may significantly enhance outcome. (BPS, 2001)

Phew! So Hypnotherapy has strong recognition by the medical profession and has a solid and deep research base. Why is it not used more often by medical professionals?

Unfortunately the profession is still plagued by many therapists who practice hypnotherapy more like the 19th century Mesmerists - imagining all sorts of magical processes and notions. In addition they blend hypnotherapy with other therapies that the medical institutions view more suspiciously such as NLP (poor evidence, outdated psychological model) and EFT (possibly effective but not because of energy meridians).

Modern clinical hypnotherapy stands on a strong scientific and modern psychological model is moving towards being an application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - and the latest research shows significant improvements in effectiveness when CBT and hypnotherapy are combined.