Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain

Much of what goes on in our bodies is controlled by the subconscious mind. A simple example is the process of moving from a sitting to a standing position. Infants (and stroke survivors also, for example) have to think consciously of exactly what their muscles need to do while they are learning to stand up, but it soon becomes automatic. Thereafter, when we want to stand up, we simply do it -- from then on, it's a process that's controlled by the subconscious mind.

Having learned how to control the body, the subconscious mind is "conditioned" to experience certain sensations from arms and legs and to expect certain responses from them on "command." When arms or legs are no longer there, however, the subconscious mind continues to experience the old, learned sensations and to expect certain responses -- that is, until the subconscious mind is retrained to understand the new reality of the absent limb and have new expectations of sensation.

Stress is anything that makes you change, adjust or adapt. And it's cumulative. For example, if you have a tense or difficult discussion with a spouse or co-worker, and later spill coffee on your computer, the stress of spilling the coffee doesn't replace the stress of the discussion. It just adds another layer to your stress level that day. Physical and mental damage can result from too much stress, so it's important to learn and to use good coping skills to relax and relieve the pressure. Here are just a few:

Although we don't understand the subconscious completely, the literature is full of documentation of how the subconscious mind can control pain (which I prefer to call "discomfort" - a less emotional term), and even "cure" diseases, such as cancer. For example, the Institute for Noetic Sciences has documented over 3000 cases of such "cures."

Certainly, one can explain phantom sensation and even painful phantoms in neurological and physiological terms, but we know the subconscious plays an important part, also. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical clinicians are trained to concentrate on the neurological and physiological explanations in recommending therapies to abate the pain. Hypnotherapy, however, concentrates on the subconscious mind for answers, with an impressive degree of success, I might add.

Deep relaxation produces desirable physiological and biochemical responses that are exactly the opposite of those seen during stress. According to stress expert Dr. Edmund Jacobson: "An anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body".

Imagery and visualization are very important tools in hypnotherapy. When working with individuals who suffer chronic phantom pain, I would take them into a deeply relaxed state and ask them to visualize what is going on in their bodies. I might ask them to visualize their body as a blueprint of limbs and organs with the mind as a "control room." I might ask them to journey down through the body from the control room--down an imaginary elevator to an absent leg, for example -- to see what is going on there. I might ask the individual to visualize what is causing the discomfort and then visualize "switches" in the control room that might be able to shut off the pain. What is the residual limb or the phantom trying to say through the discomfort it's transmitting? What can the control room do to stop listening?

I might ask them to change their body blueprint to more accurately reflect the new situation, so there will be no conflict or confusion between what "was," and what "is." I might ask them to rate their discomfort on a scale of one to ten, for example, and then find the "volume control" with which they can "turn it down."

I might also ask the subconscious mind to "negotiate" with the absent part to find out why it's "misbehaving" and reach an "agreement" that will result in new, non-painful, patterns of sensation.

An encouraging thing about these kinds of techniques is that they can be effective in treating all kinds of discomfort. Thus, these methods can help relieve "real" discomfort in residual limbs as well as "phantom" discomfort in absent limbs.

In terms of therapy, I believe in using a feather instead of a hammer. For phantom pain sufferers, neuroma resection, neural blocks, and other surgical therapies are hammers. Hypnotherapy is a feather. But because the subconscious mind is so very powerful, the feather is powerful, too.

Richard Neves, PhD., can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

---

Using Carrot Juice for Relieving Constipation

Carrot JuiceCarrot juices contain certain oils that work on the... Read More

Ginger for Upset Stomach

The common ginger root used in cooking has been found... Read More

Why You Should Use Fruits for Constipation

Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food.... Read More

The Fine Art of Smudging

An Aboriginal Canadian friend of mine who teaches at the... Read More

Boost Self Confidence Through Hypnotherapy

What is self confidence and how do you get it?... Read More

Prevent Disease By Thinking Differently Than Experts

Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have... Read More

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being ... Read More

Health Benefits of Green Tea

For over 3000 years, the Chinese have been using green... Read More

Pendulum Dowsing: Easy To Learn Techniques

Pendulum Dowsing is a very fun and simple way to... Read More

Contact Lenses Explained And Compared To Glasess

Many people over the past ten years have changed from... Read More

Reflexology

Reflexology, an ancient art practiced by early Egyptians. Reflexology is... Read More

How To Cure Your Incurable Nasal Allergy

Immunoglobulin E is an antibody, which is secreted from the... Read More

Arthritis Diet Myths- Dont Be Fooled By These Food Fables!

One of the most popular myths I hear from my... Read More

What Does The Label Vegan Mean in Bedding Products?

Vegan, or vegetarian, organic fills and batting, are natural materials... Read More

Fixing it with Hypnosis

There are many fears and misunderstandings about the use of... Read More

The Flu Hysteria and Your Family

(originally in Nov. 2004 ZoneNet Newsletter)In this flu season, America... Read More

Why Detox?

For most of my life I considered myself fairly healthy.... Read More

Acid Reflux and Heartburn Natural Remedies Part I

Here is a list of natural remedies that you can... Read More

How Many Bowel Movements Should You Have Each Day?

Most doctors don't ask you about your regularity. They may... Read More

Low Back Pain - Ayurvedic Management

Low back pain is one of the most common pain... Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Infertility

Although health and healing are the common goals of Traditional... Read More

Genital Herpes - Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies

Modern medical science has not been able to produce a... Read More

Using Pain To Institute Change In Your Life!

Why do you do something that harms you? Why do... Read More

Immunological Profile In Postpartum Women

Post-delivery, the whole of immune system is restored to normalcy... Read More

4 Natural Home Remedies to Ease the Pain of Sunburn

At some time or another, we've all experienced the effects... Read More

Prenatal Massage

What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of... Read More

Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain

Much of what goes on in our bodies is controlled... Read More

About Child Bedwetting

Bedwetting also known as nocturnal Enuresis is a common problem... Read More

Discover The Missing Key to Improving Your Health

Do you know the top ten causes for death? You... Read More

Tips for Staying Young Eternally

What is something that goes up but never comes down?... Read More

What Is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient form of energy healing in which... Read More

Your Home is a Toxic Waste Dump!

Did you know that the household and beauty products that... Read More

Love, Appreciation, and the Heart

As I started to write this article a few words... Read More