Hypnosis to aid Cancer Treatment
Reduce Symptoms of Treatment and Help with the Healing
Gentle
Evidence-based
Deeply Relaxing
Going through treatment for cancer can be challenging experience in itself.
Hypnotherapy can help with effectively managing the treatment side effects
Research
Hypnotherapy has been clinically tested with good results for helping people cope with pain, anxiety, fatigue, hot flushes, nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment.
People with cancer most often use hypnotherapy for sickness or pain. There is some evidence that hypnotherapy helps with depression, anxiety and stress.
Hypnosis is an efficacious tool in cancer prevention and control.
The evidence suggests that hypnosis may help treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients, manage pain in a variety of contexts, and also reduce levels of anxiety and overall distress around surgical and medical procedures, both in children and adults.
Findings revealed hypnotherapy’s noninvasiveness and flexibility, aligning with patient-centered care models.
One strategy that can help cope with cancer is clinical hypnosis.
Clinical hypnosis has been described in the medical literature to relieve a broad spectrum of symptoms, including treatment of common symptoms associated with cancer care- pain, nausea, fatigue, sleep and hot flashes.
An Italian study published in Oncology in 2000 followed 16 adult cancer patients suffering from nausea and vomiting just before their next chemotherapy doses, which is sometimes called "anticipatory" nausea and vomiting. After they underwent hypnosis, the nausea and vomiting disappeared.
For cancer patients, hypnotherapy could offer a host of benefits, including managing nausea, pain, anxiety, depression and increasing the quality of life. "Hypnotherapy is very non-threatening and non-invasive, and it has no side effects.
How Hypnosis can help Cancer Patients?
Hypnosis is a powerful complementary therapy that can support cancer patients in managing the emotional, mental, and even physical challenges of their journey. While it is not a cure for cancer, it can significantly improve quality of life by addressing pain, stress, and overall well-being.
1. Pain Management
Hypnosis helps patients manage cancer-related pain by shifting the perception of discomfort. By guiding the mind into a deeply relaxed state, hypnosis can:
Reduce the intensity of pain signals.
Help patients gain control over their pain perception.
Decrease the need for high doses of pain medication.
2. Reducing Anxiety & Stress
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy can:
Promote relaxation and calm the nervous system.
Reduce anticipatory anxiety before treatments like chemotherapy or surgery.
Help patients feel more in control of their emotions and mindset.
3. Managing Treatment Side Effects
Cancer treatments often come with side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and insomnia. Hypnosis can:
Help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Improve sleep quality and combat insomnia.
Boost energy levels by promoting deep relaxation and mental clarity.
4. Strengthening the Immune System
Studies suggest that stress reduction techniques, including hypnosis, can have a positive impact on the immune system. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones, hypnosis may help create a more supportive internal environment for healing.
5. Enhancing Emotional Resilience
Hypnosis can assist cancer patients in:
Processing difficult emotions such as fear, sadness, or anger.
Cultivating a positive and hopeful mindset.
Building resilience and motivation to keep fighting.
6. Improving Quality of Life
Hypnotherapy can help patients focus on inner peace, comfort, and acceptance during their cancer journey, leading to a greater sense of well-being and hope.
In nut shell,
Hypnosis is a safe, non-invasive tool that can complement medical treatments for cancer patients. While it does not replace medical care, it can be a valuable support system for those navigating the challenges of cancer.