Tag: mindfulness training

Study explores hypnotherapy for gastrointestinal issues

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Loyola Medicine is among the first to conduct a clinical study using hypnotherapy to treat functional dyspepsia, a gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 10 percent of the population.

People affected by functional dyspepsia experience frequent stomach upset, including symptoms of stomach pain or burning, nausea, bloating, belching and a prolonged feeling of fullness. Medical testing does not reveal any abnormalities that explain these symptoms, and the condition is thought to be related to dysfunction of the nerves and muscles of the stomach.

Recent scientific research indicates that this dysfunction is explained in part by the brain-gut axis, communication pathway between the gut’s nervous system and the brain. In conditions like functional dyspepsia, disruption in this pathway causes the nerves and muscles to go awry, resulting in uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Functional dyspepsia is more common in women than men, and psychological issues such as stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms.

Source:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-explores-hypnotherapy-gastrointestinal-issues.html

Why PTSD is a Mind-Body Condition

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https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-inline-half-caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2020-12/gift-habeshaw-of8c-qhqagm-unsplash.jpg?itok=E8aUhrve

 

Chronic, low-level inflammation may be a biomarker for PTSD.

 

People with PTSD are more likely to suffer from diseases involving systemic inflammation (e.g., cardiovascular disease or diabetes) or to have autoimmune disorders such as asthma. For this reason, experts have argued that PTSD may be a mind-body condition involving chronic, low-level systemic inflammation.

Source:

http://https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/202012/why-ptsd-is-mind-body-condition?fbclid=IwAR1Ql9T1FTc1t9ZK9QSLRF28jp-r6ns9ZJ42MVI5ASvxjBqaGMBcGXtbTZQ

Novel intervention for stress shows positive results in pilot study

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A new treatment for stress which combines mindfulness with hypnotherapy has shown positive results in a Baylor University pilot study.

The intervention is called “mindful hypnotherapy.”

Hypnosis interventions are typically brief and have been used in pain and symptom management in clinical practice.

The study’s basic premise is that using hypnosis to deliver mindfulness goals could have many advantages, Elkins said.

“Combining mindfulness and hypnotherapy in a single session is a novel intervention that may be equal to or better than existing treatments, with the advantage of being more time-effective, less daunting and easier to use,” he said. “This could be a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction.”

Reference:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200615/Novel-intervention-for-stress-shows-positive-results-in-pilot-study.aspx

NHS therapists survey findings

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Mental health statistics: stress

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Results of the Mental Health Foundation’s 2018 study

 

The study was an online poll undertaken by YouGov, and had a sample size of 4,619 respondents. This is the largest known study of stress levels in the UK.

  • In the past year, 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope.

Age differences

  • 30% of older people reported never feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope in the past year, compared to 7% of young adults.

Behavioural effects

  • 46% reported that they ate too much or ate unhealthily due to stress. 29% reported that they started drinking or increased their drinking, and 16% reported that they started smoking or increased their smoking.

Psychological effects

  • 51% of adults who felt stressed reported feeling depressed, and 61% reported feeling anxious.
  • Of the people who said they had felt stress at some point in their lives, 16% had self harmed and 32% said they had had suicidal thoughts and feelings.
  • 37% of adults who reported feeling stressed reported feeling lonely as a result.

Causes of stress

  • 36% of all adults who reported stress in the previous year cited either their own or a friend/relative’s long-term health condition as a factor. This rose to 44% of adults over 55.
  • Of those who reported feeling stressed in the past year, 22% cited debt as a stressor.
  • For people who reported high levels of stress, 12% said that feeling like they need to respond to messages instantly was a stressor.
  • 49% of 18-24 year olds who have experienced high levels of stress, felt that comparing themselves to others was a source of stress, which was higher than in any of the older age groups.
  • 36% of women who felt high levels of stress related this to their comfort with their appearance and body image, compared to 23% of men.
  • Housing worries are a key source of stress for younger people (32% of 18-24 year olds cited it as a source of stress in the past year). This is less so for older people (22% for 45-54 year olds and just 7% for over 55s).
  • Younger people have higher stress related to the pressure to succeed. 60% of 18-24 year olds and 41% of 25-34 year olds cited this, compared to 17% of 45-54s and 6% of over 55s).

Source:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-stress

Richard Hill Presents Ernest Rossi’s Mirroring Hands – A Special Workshop Event on 3rd & 4th November in London

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The Practitioner’s Guide to Mirroring Hands:
A Client-Responsive Therapy that Facilitates
Natural Problem-solving and Mind-Body Healing
by Richard Hill and Ernest Rossi

Brochure London

 

 

 

Details and Registration:

https://www.icchp.com/course-bookings/3-pchyp-course-dates-london/22-mirroring-hands

The Unconscious: Freud’s Gift to Neuroscience

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The idea that there’s this massive amount happening under the hood came from Freud.

 

 

 

The history of understanding that there is an unconscious that’s riding under the radar of conscious awareness is such a new idea, historically.  Several hundred years ago, people got pieces and parts of the idea, but it wasn’t until Freud that he really nailed it.

Neuroscience has drifted off a little bit from the directions that Freud was going in terms of the interpretations of whether your unconscious mind is sending you particular hidden signals and so on.  But the idea that there’s this massive amount happening under the hood, that part was correct and so Freud really nailed that.  And he lived before the blossoming of modern neuroscience, so he was able to do this just by outside observation and looking at how people acted.

Nowadays, we’re able to peer non-invasively inside people’s heads as they’re doing tasks, as they’re thinking about things and making decisions, perceiving the world. We’re able to go a lot deeper into understanding this massive machinery under the hood.

 

Source:

https://bigthink.com/in-their-own-words/the-unconscious-freuds-gift-to-neuroscience

Replacing opioids with hypnosis for pain treatment – David Spiegel

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In health, mind matters. David Spiegel of Stanford University’s School of Medicine explains what happens in the brain when somebody is hypnotized, and how hypnosis can reduce pain, improve cancer survival rates and help people stop smoking.

 

 

Source:

http://www.weforum.org/  (courtesy of YouTube)

What does the NHS say about hypnotherapy?

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Hypnotherapy

 

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to try to treat conditions or change habits.

 

What happens in a hypnotherapy session?

 

There are different types of hypnotherapy, and different ways of hypnotising someone.

First, you’ll usually have a chat with your therapist to discuss what you hope to achieve and agree what methods your therapist will use.

After this, the hypnotherapist may:

  • lead you into a deeply relaxed state
  • use your agreed methods to help you towards your goals – for example, suggesting that you don’t want to carry out a certain habit
  • gradually bring you out of the trance

You’re fully in control when under hypnosis and don’t have to take on the therapist’s suggestions if you don’t want to.

If necessary, you can bring yourself out of the hypnotic state.

Hypnosis doesn’t work if you don’t want to be hypnotised.

 

Source:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypnotherapy/#

‘Mirroring Hands’

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A special 2-day workshop on client-responsive therapy and mind-body healing – November 3rd & 4th in Central London.

The Practitioner’s Guide to Mirroring Hands: A Client-Responsive Therapy that Facilitates Natural Problem-solving and Mind-Body Healing.

 

 

Video description:

 

https://dms.licdn.com/playback

 

Workshop brochure:

 

Brochure London

 

Workshop bookings:

 

https://www.icchp.com/course-bookings

A Surprise Medical Solution: Hypnosis

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Major hospitals are finding hypnotherapy can help sufferers of digestive conditions like heartburn, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.

Experts theorize that hypnotherapy works because many gastrointestinal disorders are affected by a faulty connection between the brain and the gut, or digestive tract. The gut and brain are in constant communication. When something disrupts that communication, the brain misinterprets normal signals, which can cause the body to become hypersensitive to stimuli detected by nerves in the gut, causing pain. Experts believe hypnosis shifts the brain’s attention away from those stimuli by providing healthy suggestions about what’s going on in the gut.

 

Reference:

A Surprise Medical Solution: Hypnosis – WSJ

Kate Middleton reportedly uses hypnobirthing!

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What is hypnobirthing?

 

According to the HypnoBirthing International website, expectant mothers can use ‘The Mongan Method’ to tap into their subconscious and rely on their instincts to achieve relaxation, “free of the resistance that fear creates.” This also promotes the release of endorphins, which can be essential if the birthing plan takes an unexpected turn. The result? A serene, calm and ultimately, positive experience.

 

 

References:

https://www.ajc.com/news/world/what-hypnobirthing-kate-middleton-reportedly-uses-this-special-delivery-technique/XNSY1VbFlosY0aylQzPeTM/

https://www.womenshealth.com.au/kate-middleton-hypnobirthing-third-pregnancy

Doctors use hypnosis on needle phobic

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Anaesthetists are increasingly turning to hypnosis and other relaxation techniques to help those who have a fear of needles.

Needle phobias affect as many as one in 10 people, causing significant anxiety for patients.

It also causes significant challenges for treating doctors.

To combat the challenge a small but growing number of anaesthetists have started to use hypnosis and relaxation techniques, said Dr James Griffiths, a consultant anaesthetist at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital.

“We’re finding that guided relaxation can facilitate induction of anaesthesia and it’s important that we use positive language to avoid inadvertently increasing pain or anxiety in our patients,” said Dr Griffiths.

 

Reference:

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

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The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) were set up by the government to protect the public. They do this by providing a UK register of complementary health practitioners. Protection of the public is their sole purpose.

They set the standards that practitioners need to meet to get onto and then stay on the register. All CNHC registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and have registered voluntarily. All of them are professionally trained and fully insured to practise.

They investigate complaints about alleged breaches of their Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance. They impose disciplinary sanctions that mirror those of the statutory healthcare regulators.

They make the case to government and a wide range of organisations for the use of complementary healthcare to enhance the UK’s health and well-being. They raise awareness of complementary healthcare and seek to influence policy wherever possible to increase access to the disciplines they register.

CNHC is also the holder of an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.

 

 

Looking for a complementary therapist? Search their register and choose with confidence. CNHC is the UK voluntary regulator across 16 complementary therapies, and they hold an accredited register approved by the PSA. Find a local, qualified practitioner here: http://ow.ly/6ZBQ30j3wCy

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Monthly Masterclass

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Hello Everyone,

We have now finalised our third meetup established at Birkbeck, University of London with easy access to transport amenities.

Our group is open to anyone interested in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. Moreover, all skill levels are welcomed. This monthly meetup was created to discuss anything Ericksonian and more complex casework examples found in clinical practice, when utilising Ericksonian hypo-therapeutic principles and techniques.

It may also count towards your annual CPD as qualified hypnotherapists registered with a professional body. This is a not for profit event but a minimal fee of approximately £20 will be charged for the day for a 3 hour seminar and only to cover the hire costs of our Central London venue which is now confirmed.

25 places on this instance are available and Dan Jones will be the respected guest speaker presenting on the day.

I look forward to meeting you all!

With best wishes

Tony

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Monthly Masterclass

Saturday, Apr 28, 2018, 1:00 PM

7 Members Went

Check out this Meetup →

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Monthly Masterclass

Clarity In Mind

 

Hello Everyone,

We have now finalised our meetup established at Birkbeck, University of London with easy access to transport amenities.

Our group is open to anyone interested in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. Moreover, all skill levels are welcomed. This monthly meetup was created to discuss anything Ericksonian and more complex casework examples found in clinical practice, when utilising Ericksonian hypo-therapeutic principles and techniques.

It may also count towards your annual CPD as qualified hypnotherapists registered with a professional body. This is a not for profit event but a minimal fee of approximately £20 will be charged for the day for a 3 hour seminar and only to cover the hire costs of our Central London venue which is now confirmed.

25 places on this first instance are available and Dan Jones will be the respected guest speaker presenting on the day.

I look forward to meeting you all!

With best wishes

Tony

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Monthly Masterclass

Saturday, Mar 24, 2018, 1:00 PM

11 Members Went

Check out this Meetup →

Teaching patients in pain self hypnosis could help curb the opioid crisis, Stanford researcher says

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David Spiegel of Stanford University’s School of Medicine explains what happens in the brain when somebody is hypnotized, and how hypnosis can reduce pain, improve cancer survival rates and help people stop smoking.

 

 

Source:

https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2018/03/02/could-hypnosis-help-curb-the-opioid-crisis-quite-possibly-says-stanford-researcher/

 

Is Yoga the foundation of modern hypnotherapy practice?

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Excerpt from The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid

 

Ward’s “History of the Hindoos”, which they represent as facts and as special gifts imparted to them in token of the great superiority of their religious system, of inducing a state of self-hypnotism, or ecstatic trance. They produce this condition by certain postures or modes of sitting – the minds of the devotees being engaged in acts of fixed attention, by looking at some parts of their own bodies, or at inanimate or ideal [i.e., imaginary] objects; at the same time holding their breath, i.e., suppressing their respiration… I may premise, however, that whatever idea occupies the mind of the subject before he passes into the condition, or whatever may have occurred to it accidentally or through the suggestion of others subsequently, will ever after be realised, under similar combination of circumstances, in consequence of the power of suggestion and double-conscious [dissociated] memory, as manifested in some patients even in the sub-hypnotic or waking condition, when what have been called the vigilant or waking phenomena are producible; and still more certainly during the full, active, double-conscious condition.

Source:

https://www.ukhypnosis.com/2010/08/19/james-braid-on-self-hypnosis-and-hindu-yoga/

 

Savasana is a pose of total relaxation

A more traditional form of hypnosis!

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Tai Chi Chuan

 

All hypnosis is self hypnosis but this is one of my favourite forms of personal practice. With a regular daily routine it is possible to increase sensitivity to not just your own energy (Chi) but the energy of others and that of the world around us. This subtle awareness can then be used as the basis of Chi Kung healing (Qi Gong), as is more commonly known with many other aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (like acupuncture) but without the need of a physician utilising herbal remedies, Chinese cups, Tui Na massage, or needles…

 

What is Hypnotherapy?

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Hypnotherapy is a skilled communication aimed at directing a person’s imagination in a way that helps elicit changes in some perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts and behaviours.

In a typical hypnotherapy session the hypnotherapist and client will discuss the intended alterations or therapeutic goals desired. The hypnotherapist will ask questions about previous medical history, general health and lifestyle to decide on the best approach for the individual.

Hypnotherapy may be found to be helpful for those seeking relief from a range of problems and is used alongside a person’s own willpower and motivation to seek a desired goal. It is often used to help relieve anxiety, aid sleeping, help to address bed-wetting, address attitudes to weight, and help clients achieve behavioural change to stop smoking. It may also help with minor skin conditions that are exacerbated by stress and confidence issues, and may also be used to enhance performance in areas such as sport and public speaking. Hypnotherapy may help people to cope with and manage the relief of perceived pain.

Hypnotherapy has also been used with both adults and children to help manage the pain associated with irritable bowel. There is evidence to support its use in this condition for both adults and children and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Guidance (NICE) recommends the NHS should consider referring patients for hypnotherapy if their irritable bowel is persistent and has failed to respond to simple prescribed medicine (Who we register | CNHC, 2017).

References:

Who we register | CNHC. (2017). Cnhc.org.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2017, from https://www.cnhc.org.uk/who-we-register