Managing chronic pain
When is it chronic pain?
"Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than 3 months in one or more parts of the body. It can cause emotional distress and can make doing daily tasks more difficult." (NHS)
If you have it, you already know - for example, it might be
Back Pain
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis or joint pain
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Nerve Pain
You also know chronic pain isn't just physical - it can impact your emotions, your sleep patterns, your relationships and overall quality of life.
Unlike pain in the moment, which can signal injury or illness, chronic pain can continue long after the initial cause has healed. This happens because the nervous system can become overactive, sending constant pain signals even when there’s no physical damage.
What does hypnotherapy do?
You may be familiar with the idea that the human brain doesn't differentiate between an actual experience and an imagined one. For many people, is that not how they experience their phobias? It's not always the 'thing' in itself but the thought of it that provokes a reaction. So, change the thought of the thing and maybe?
Hypnotherapy can help by interrupting the pain signals and reenergising your body’s own healing responses.
In this way, you may find you are more able to regulate your emotions, experience deeper and more enriching sleep and be more able to tap into a more relaxed more often.
How do we do it?
The "we" is you and I - exploring what works best for you and how best to give you the tools, the processes and encouragement that will allow you to alleviate many of your symptons, release your pain and offer you a brighter future. Whether that is guided imagery, EDMR or 'parts integration', etc we will explore what 'fits' you the best to really help you.
Does it work?
There is considerable evidence that it does. (For example, a clinical trial in 2016 found that over 75% of people with conditions like - and including - arthritis experience significant pain relief using hypnosis).
It does not remove the chronic condition and you may need to continue any medication you are taking. But it will offer pain relief, scope to reduce your stress, shift negative patterns of thoughts and promote deeper relaxation, using your own incredible resources to help you move forward with your life. And, believe yourself, when I say you have a fabulous range of resources within you, right now, right here.
Many people experience a noticeable difference over 1 session but usually a programme of 4-6 sessions is recommended.
