Calm Relaxed Confident
How Hypnosis Works
Hypnosis is real, hypnosis is effective, and hypnosis is scientifically measurable
Science has finally caught up with what many people have known for hundreds of years
Nowadays medical, scientific and university studies use fMRI scanning equipment that can clearly see which bits of the brain activate during hypnosis. This means we have scientific proof that the brain responds much more to suggestion than to reality. There have been hundreds of medical and scientific research papers that confirm the effectiveness of hypnosis for reducing pain and anxiety over many, many years. You can go to Google Scholar and search the many studies, or look up the ones I’ve listed below which were specifically for Fibromyalgia because they include chronic disease, pain, anxiety and fatigue, which are the main areas in which I specialise.
Hypnotherapy in our Modern World
A Hypnotherapist’s role is to purposefully and skilfully induce a very natural ‘trance’ state in their client. They pick up on the signals and messages from the client’s subconscious mind to bring into effect the changes the client consciously desires. The hypnotist checks that the client’s subconscious mind agrees to the change – and this prevents self-sabotage and any issues of secondary gain. The skilful hypnotherapist cadences the client to just the right level of trance for the specific piece of change work they are creating. Sometimes you need to be a bit deeper, sometimes a bit lighter. The hypnotherapist can tell what depth of trance you are in by testing and watching your subconscious reactions.
A hypnotherapist can’t watch and read their client’s reactions if they can’t see the client. This happens when someone is just listening to a generic hypnosis recording. Obviously, live, in person or online hypnosis is going to be far more effective for specific personal issues than generic recordings…and yet… recordings still help many, many people get outstanding results!
Hypnosis successfully brings about powerful, beneficial change.
Hypnosis is so highly effective because it is a very natural state and we all drift in and out of various stages of trance every day:
· Turning the next page of a novel because you are engrossed in the compelling story? That’s a trance. You are in a trance. Relaxed and Focussed.
· Feeling emotionally moved by a movie? That’s a trance. You are in a trance. Relaxed and Focussed.
· Tuning out the rest of the people in the front room or the cinema and choosing to ignore the fact that all around the image you are watching on that screen, there are other people on that film set, operating cameras and sound, directors and other actors waiting to come on to deliver their lines and act as if what they are doing is really in the moment. That’s a trance. You are in a trance. Relaxed and Focussed.
· Driving home on auto pilot and can’t remember the journey? That’s a trance. You are in a trance. Relaxed and Focussed.
Trance is all around and the hypnotherapist guides you there intentionally, to intentionally help you change the behaviours you have asked them to help you change.
Hypnosis is a state of being Relaxed and Focussed
Outstanding Results, Worldwide, from Online Hypnotherapy
During the pandemic, the world moved ‘online’ and so did hypnotherapy, we needed to. Even more people than ever needed help with fear and anxiety. Few people were getting relief from chronic physical pain. Those with chronic illnesses weren’t being supported and stress made flare ups worse, more painful and more frequent. The stress of constantly being indoors with the same people created even more mental and emotional pain and problems for families. Even now, the legacy of social anxiety, fear and lack of confidence is rife among those whose lives were disrupted the most. I spent the pandemic training online with another of my Mentors,Celebrity Hypnotherapist and Author - Ali Campbell
Ali trained professional, talented hypnotherapists to work effectively online over Zoom.
Under his Hypnosis Mastery Mentorship, I’m licensed to use the same techniques he used for his celebrity and sports-personality clients, with my private clients. Ali has “Retired”.
I have told you that I have spent nearly 20 years training and looking for the most effective techniques to support people like me with pain and chronic diseases
Ali Campbell created the most effective hypnotic physical pain relief technique I’ve come across in 20 years
I include Ali’s technique for ALL of my clients who tell me pain relief is something they want to work on. Ali’s pain relief technique relieved my pain but I still needed more help. There are lots of videos of me on this website
You will have seen how my right eyelid swells and drops down, that is one part of how Myasthenia Gravis has affected me for over 25 years
I don’t hide away because of it any longer but I could FEEL it and so all my conscious awareness went to that area along with my concentration and focus. It interrupted my train of thought, distracting me 6 or more times every day because I knew I would have to sleep, to let it rest and reset so I could continue working. I would not be able to read or write until I could see clearly again
In hypnosis, Ali de-sensitised that stinging, swelling sensation for me. My eyelid still drops, you can see that, frequently, but I do not feel it or focus on it. That means I have an extra 4 hours per day, every day, that I’m not taking naps just to lift up my eyelid! Anyone who lives with the symptoms of a chronic illness, or the after-effects of an accident, especially one that makes them ‘look different’ to other people, will appreciate how life changing something like would be
I frequently use Ali’s specialist techniques for my clients
Hypnosis Dramatically Improved the Quality of My Life
I Can Help You Improve the Quality of Your Life
Thank You Ali
I had always been sceptical of private hypnotherapy that wasn’t “In Person”, because the hypnotherapist’s job is to work with the signals and cues from their client’s subconscious. If you can’t ‘see’ the client, you can’t pick up on those subtle signals – so we would be back to the level of effectiveness of a generic recording rather than the “In Person, In My Office, Tailored To You” level of effectiveness. I was amazed to discover that private hypnotherapy over Zoom works even better for my personal clients who live with anxiety, chronic pain and chronic illnesses. They no longer need to travel, adjust medications, risk their journey causing more pain, or worry about Flare Ups after an exhausting long journey.
I’ve worked with many international clients over Zoom and they have been very happy with their results
Working over video calls (Zoom) has enabled everyone, anywhere in the world to have access to the enormous therapeutic benefits of live, personal hypnosis, tailored specifically to them and working alongside the signals offered by their own subconscious mind.
Hypnosis Changed My Life
Hypnosis has improved the Quality of Life of my clients
Hypnosis can help you
Studies on the Effects of Hypnosis on Patients with Fibromyalgia, Pain and Anxiety
Thieme, G et al. (2010) Hypnosis for the treatment of Fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. Published in Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 69(5), 413-418 Found that hypnosis was an effective treatment for reducing pain, fatigue and anxiety in people with Fibromyalgia. Authors suggest hypnosis may be particularly beneficial for Fibromyalgia patients who do not respond to other treatments or who have adverse side effects from medication. The study found that the benefits of hypnosis persisted for at least six moths after the end of treatment, highlighting the potential for hypnosis as a non-pharmacological treatment option for Fibromyalgia. A standardised hypnotic induction, involving progressive relaxation, imagery and suggestions for relaxation and comfort focussing on reducing pian, fatigue and anxiety and including metaphors and positive suggestions for well-being and resilience.
Kozasa, EH et al (2017) The effects of hypnotherapy on pain and anxiety in patients with Fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. Published in Journal of Integrative Medicine 15(3), 172-177 Found that hypnotherapy was an effective treatment for reducing pain and anxiety in people with Fibromyalgia. Authors suggest hypnotherapy may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment for Fibromyalgia as it can provide patients with coping strategies and reduce reliance on medication. The study found the benefits of hypnotherapy persisted for up to six months after the end of treatment, highlighting the potential for hypnotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment option for Fibromyalgia. A standardised hypnotic induction, involving progressive relaxation, visualisation and suggestions for comfort and relaxation focussing on reducing pain and anxiety and including metaphors and positive suggestions for well-being and resilience.
Gagnier J et al (2020) A feasibility study of brief group hypnosis for chronic pain in people with Fibromyalgia. Published in Journal of Integrative Medicine 18(2), 144-151 Found that brief group hypnosis was a feasible and acceptable treatment for reducing pain and anxiety in people with Fibromyalgia. Participants were encouraged to practice self-hypnosis, relaxation and self care at home. Authors suggested group hypnosis may be a cost-effective and accessible treatment option for Fibromyalgia as it can be delivered in a group setting. Participants reported improvements in sleep quality and mood. A standardised hypnotic induction was not used as the hypnosis was delivered in group format. Suggestions focussed on reducing pain and anxiety and included metaphors, positive affirmations and suggestions for relaxation and comfort.
Davidson, PR et al (2007) Hypnosis treatment for chronic low back pain. Published in International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 55(3), 275-287 Found that hypnosis was an effective treatment for reducing pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain.
Haanen, HC et al (1991) Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of refractory Fibromyalgia. Published in Journal of Rheumatology 18(1), 72-75 Found that hypnotherapy was an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving quality of life in people with refractory Fibromyalgia.
Richardson, J et al (2006) Hypnosis for symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Published in American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 49(4), 213-223 Found that hypnosis was an effective treatment for reducing fatigue, pain and depression in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Bernardy, K et al (2012) Hypnosis for Fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial comparing structured teaching versus hypnotherapy treatment versus self-hypnosis. Published in Journal of Sleep Research found that hypnotherapy, structured teaching and self-hypnosis were all effective treatments for reducing pain, fatigue and anxiety in people with Fibromyalgia.
Shishido, S et al (2017) Effects of hypnotherapy on pain and quality of life in female patients with Fibromyalgia: A randomised controlled trial. Published in Journal of Integrative Medicine found that hypnotherapy was an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving quality of life in people with Fibromyalgia.
Stephanie Cavendish BA(Hons) CHt, Tft-Adv
Certified Hypnotherapist since 2008
©2023 Calm Relaxed Confident