Clinical hypnosis is a mind-body therapy that involves a deeply relaxed state, mental imagery, and therapeutic suggestion. It has been used since ancient times (1,000 BC). Clinical hypnosis is a fast-growing complementary therapy and even called alternative medicine. It is popular among patients going through Cancer today.
Hypnosis produces and altered state of consciousness, awareness and perception. The patient’s mind becomes open to suggestions, and this is of great benefit to send signals of cellular regeneration and neuroplasticity towards disease.
Hypnocell® is a technique that has designed a program especially for Cancer patients. It is mainly focused in going deep into the subconscious and work directly with the cancer cells. The program will concentrate in finding the roots of the disease, and to work with cellular regeneration to produce the cellular changes that can alleviate symptoms and side effects of treatments.
Clinical hypnosis has already been described to relieve a broad spectrum of symptoms, specifically the ones presented in palliative care patients. It shows to reduce pain, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, and sleep dysfunction.
A study of breast cancer patients found that those assigned to treatment that included clinical hypnosis demonstrated significantly less pain. Another study of advanced-stage cancer patients with malignant bone disease was conducted and the results showed the hypnosis intervention group had a significant overall decrease in pain.
Most patients receiving chemotherapy report nausea and vomiting (70-80%). Clinical hypnosis has proven to relief nausea and vomiting secondary to chemotherapy.
Cancer-related fatigue has long been recognized as one of the most difficult symptoms to manage during cancer treatment. Fatigue results from both cancer and cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Around 60-70% of patients can show fatigue. Studies have been showing the use of hypnosis to be related to the decrease of this symptoms. Although the results are promising, more research needs to be done in this area.
Regarding hot flashes, hypnosis has been shown to decrease this symptom by 70%.
Cancer patients present with sleep difficulties because of anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, and other side effects. Hypnosis provides cancer patients with a safe alternative treatment option that will improve their sleep patterns.
Referenced: cancernetwork. Journal of Oncology.
