Self-hypnosis can ease cancer pain
Research done by social worker Lisa D. Butler at the University of Buffalo in New York found that women living with breast cancer, among others, were able to find pain relief through self-hypnosis. The study found that a combination of self-hypnosis and psychotherapy helped the patients with metastatic breast cancer manage their pain over a period of time.
Anticipation of pain can be just as much an issue as experiencing pain, and self-hypnosis worked as a pain management tool to ease their fears. Pain levels did not increase for those patients who used self-hypnosis, though it did not reduce the recurrence of pain episodes or their duration.
The study suggested that hypnosis techniques could help men and women with various forms of cancer – not just breast cancer, but other forms of cancer like mesothelioma or lung cancer – and individuals who are suffering from other painful illnesses. Patients can ask their doctors for referrals to pain clinics that can teach self-hypnosis techniques. Group counseling was also recommended.
For the full story, go to Sun Sentinel.
