The role of hypnosis in medicine has been evolving over the last 100 years. Currently, the National Institutes of Health in the United States is funding clinical trials of complementary and alternative medicine involving hypnosis. Hypnosis in medicine is one of the focuses of this funding effort. The evidence for the positive mental and physiological benefits of hypnosis, guided imagery and meditation are staggering! Mind-body medicine focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and on the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. Many doctors and psychologists believe your symptoms to be metaphors for what's out of balance in your life.

For many diseases and conditions, stress often exacerbate or make symptoms worse. Therefore, when you can learn to lower your stress level, oftentimes, you will see fewer the symptoms of a chronic disease or disorder. Hypnosis, guided imagery and relaxation have been shown to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatment. "These 'behavioral interventions' are effective at reducing anxiety, some types of nausea, and even pain," according to a review article in the June 6 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Vol.93, No. 11: 810-822). Here are some of the most popular areas where hypnosis and guided imagery have helped:

Below Are Listed Some of the Research that has been published for the effective use of Hypnosis on Health:

Hypnosis for IBS: Research has demonstrated that hypnosis can be used to have various effects on gastrointestinal functioning. It can slow down the propulsive movement of material through the intestinal tract(8), can increase or decrease acid secretion in the stomach(9), can sometimes reduce or eliminate nausea and vomiting(10), and can reduce the relapse rate of duodenal ulcers(11) and improve long-term management of functional dyspepsia(12).
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina

Chronic Illness: In Hypnosis in the Treatment of Chronic Illness, authors David Frank and Bernard Mooney, Ph.D., work from the theoretical premise that many illnesses, including cancer, that have been traditionally viewed as physical are, in fact, stress-related problems that can be effectively treated with counseling, and hypnosis in particular. The authors suggest that hypnosis and counseling extend beyond the often identified application of treating symptoms, in some cases, to providing the primary tool to effect a cure or complete remission in chronic illness.

Depression:There is also a growing body of evidence demonstrating that, when hypnosis is part of the treatment process, it catalyses positive clinical outcomes and generally increases the benefits of established treatments."
- Medical News Today


Practicing relaxation techniques can improve how you physically respond to stress by. Here are a few of the most common areas that have been successfully addressed with hypnotherapy

· Asthma - can be used to calm the body reulting in less frequent attacks and less medicine
· Arthritis - research has shown hypnosis to significantly lower pain and increase endorphins
· Bond Fractures - research has shown faster healing times with hypnosis
· Cancer - can be used to reduce pain, lower side effects, & visualize healing
(Visit Mesothelioma.com to learn more on how mesothelioma patients are using hypnotherapy as a palliative approach in cancer treatment)
· Depression - mitigates symptoms including anxiety and hopelessness
· Infertility - reduces stress associated with condition and promotes fertility
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome - mitigates bowel pain and distension
· Migraines & Headaches- research shows reduction in severity and number of attacks
· Multiple Sclerois (MS)- can help mitigate symptoms made worse by stress
· Pain Alleviation- alleviates severity and can eliminate symptoms due to stress
· Surgery - Helps promote rapid recovery and fewer scars