MAY 2008, VOLUME 36, NUMBER 1, Abstract 3
Introducing Hypnosis for Pain Management to Your Practice
Wendy-Louise Walker, Private practice,Sydney, N.S.W.
An outline is provided of the issues and concepts relevant to the introduction of hypnosis for pain management into the practice of an appropriately trained professional. The article is particularly aimed at new hypnosis practitioners or those who are just moving into pain management areas. After providing a definition of hypnosis, it is cautioned that pain should not be treated by hypnosis without appropriate liaison with treating medical experts and that hypnosis not be used to mask undiagnosed pain. Contraindications are summarized. History taking is emphasised and different components of hypnosis are set out: suggestibility, ideo-motor experience, imaginative involvement, and dissociation. Issues involved in treatment of acute and chronic pain are discussed. What follows is a discussion about what is possible in dealing with pain in clients.