| |
| |
|
Alternative Information |
|
|
|
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
MORE RESOURCES:
Alternative - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Truth About Your Health BEWARE OF THE CULTURAL HYPNOSIS We live in a cultural hypnosis that has taught us that we are fragile. It has taught us that things are happening to us. How Many Bowel Movements Should You Have Each Day? Most doctors don't ask you about your regularity. They may think it is not important to have a bowel movement every day. Why Most People Dont Really Want to Heal (Part 2) The story so far.. Natural Remedies For Treating a Cold Sometimes it can be hard to escape that shivery feeling that happens when you get too cold. A good immediate remedy for this is to wrap yourself up in a douvet and stick a hairdryer up it, (making sure the air flow is not restricted) until you feel warmed up. Tea Tree Oil Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products in nature. It has been used by some Aboriginal People in Australia for many centuries as one of their most useful medicines. Starbucks Green Tea Frappachinos, Can They Prevent Cancer? Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had one and they are very tasty indeed. We all know green tea helps prevent many types of cancer, not to mention a host of other things. Ayurveda - Principles & Practice Ayurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from treating ailments concentrated more in its prevention. This was followed by the Aryans & Dravidians who were inhabiting India and has been practiced ever since. Hypnotherapy - Does It Really Work? Okay, so some of you are familiar with hypnotherapy. You've heard it can be used for curing a number of ailments including stress, alcoholism and the like. Plantar Warts Treatment - Is There A Natural Medication Which Gets Rid Of Plantar Warts? Plantar Warts are growths which occur on the bottom of your feet and are very common. They are caused by the Human Papillomavirus which allows some skin cells to grow faster than others, thus causing a growth, called a wart. Learn About Falun Dafa I have been practicing an advanced form of qigong for almost 5 years now. The name of this practice is Falun Dafa. Anxiety Anxiety is a pernicious little devil; it can hold us back, freeze our creativity and diminish our ability to fight our way out of trouble. Anxiety leads to a 'vicious cycle' in which anxiety feeds poor performance which increases anxiety and . Why Use An Aromatherapy Diffuser? We breathe 22,000 times a day, inhaling 400 cubic feet of air.We spend 80% of our time indoors where air may be no cleaner than outdoors air. Spring Cleaning with Nontoxic Cleaners Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It's a major project of home revitalization: to make everything new by removing dust and dirt, to make sure everything is in good repair, and to put things in order, so that you will have everything in your household in working condition for the coming year. Natural Remedy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurobehavioral disorder of higher brain functioning. ADHD is common among the disorders that get affected in childhood and adolescence. How Can Green Tea Benefit My Family? No doubt you've heard of Green Tea and the health benefits you can experience from drinking it.Are you giving your family this powerful antioxidant daily?Here is a refresher on some of the benefits you can experience with Green Tea. Health Benefits of Hemp Oil Hemp oil has long been recognised as one of the most versatile and beneficial substances known to man. Derived from hemp seeds (a member of the achene family of fruits) it has been regarded as a superfood due to its high essential fatty acid content and the unique ratio of omega3 to omega6 and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) - 2:5:1. The Importance of a Parasite Cleanse A parasite cleanse is required if your body is overburdened with other toxins. A parasite is an organism that derives its food, nutrition and shelter by living in or on another organism. About Child Bedwetting Bedwetting also known as nocturnal Enuresis is a common problem that is encountered in children below 6 years. Many of the children bed wet since they have no control over the bladder. Fruits and Juices Important for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part I Foods to AvoidChili Peppers It has been found that when you eat a lot of chili peppers that you can get a burning sensation in the rectum or anus. It is best to avoid eating too many peppers, especially if you have an advance case of hemorrhoids. Super Bee Nutrition Bee's and Bee NutritionWhat is the buzz about bee Nutrition? Well, you cant get more down to nature then bee products. Powerful anti-oxidants, skin creams, supplements, and much more.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2008 |
