How Hypnosis Works, According to Science

Hypnotherapy Christchurch, Koru Therapies

When you think about hypnotherapy, what do you picture? For many, it’s a magician swinging a clock or a comedy act that gets an unsuspecting volunteer to make embarrassing confessions on stage. But hypnotherapy in Christchurch and worldwide actually has a surprisingly solid scientific foundation. Clinical research has shown that it can help relieve pain, anxiety, increase self-esteem & confidence, and improve sleep disorders and insomnia. It can assist anyone in better regulation of their emotions and behaviours. Some people even use “self-hypnosis” to manage stress, cope with life’s challenges, and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. Hypnotherapy has been used in various forms for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1843 that Scottish surgeon Dr. James Braid popularised the term “hypnosis.” Braid’s key discovery was that concentration can guide the brain toward a more suggestible state. Over the years, doctors, psychologists, and trained hypnotherapists in Christchurch have continued to test and teach the technique with significant success.

As a professional certified hypnotherapist, I will first screen you as a potential client for your ability to be hypnotised using a validated suggestibility scale. (Not everyone is equally susceptible to hypnosis, but research shows that about two-thirds of adults are.) I will then talk with you about what types of sensory experiences make you feel safe, like a lakeside retreat or a beach holiday. Therefore, conjuring up that imagery and focusing, for example, on the salt spray of the ocean, the sounds of the waves, and sun-warmed skin to help you go deeper into the calming visualisation. When this is done correctly, your physical surroundings will fade away. The result is a powerful mix of visualisation, dissociation, immersion, and openness to new experiences, which leads to what’s known as a deeply relaxing “hypnotic state.” This can be achieved in just a few minutes.

Such scene-setting techniques can create the perfect environment for positive transformation. This deep state of relaxation isn’t particularly difficult for most people to enter or emerge from. It’s similar to an altered state of consciousness where you may have experienced becoming so immersed in a particular activity that your focus narrows, like daydreaming, when your sense of time shifts. It’s also quite a lot like what happens during meditation, except instead of training you to tune into the present moment, hypnosis makes you more receptive to positive suggestions.

Brain imaging studies have begun to show what happens inside the brain during hypnosis, although much is still not fully understood. During hypnosis, activity in a brain region responsible for switching between tasks quietens down. This calms the conscious, logical mind and opens up the subconscious mind, which could be why people under hypnosis are fully relaxed. Research has also found that hypnosis can calm brain regions that help control autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood flow, and breathing. This is likely what leads to the physical relaxation, which is the key feature of hypnotherapy.

Studies have shown that people who’ve received regular hypnotherapy sessions experienced less preoperative anxiety, reduced pain and discomfort, less anxiety, increased confidence and self-esteem, improved sleep disorders, and a significant reduction in insomnia.

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety by promoting relaxation and altering negative thought patterns. Studies, such as one published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, show that it can help decrease anxiety by accessing subconscious behaviors. A meta-analysis in Psychological Reports also found it effective for treating generalized anxiety disorder, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments. Hypnotherapies' ability to induce relaxation and reinforce positive coping strategies makes it a promising option for anxiety relief.

Hypnotherapy for Confidence has been found to improve self-esteem and confidence by helping individuals reframe negative self-beliefs and enhance positive thinking. Studies, like one published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, have shown that hypnotherapy can boost self-esteem by targeting subconscious thought patterns and reinforcing self-worth. Research also indicates that it can increase confidence by addressing underlying fears and limiting beliefs, with participants reporting lasting improvements in self-perception. This makes hypnotherapy a valuable tool for those looking to strengthen their self-esteem and confidence.

Hypnotherapy for Pain Management has been shown to be an effective tool for pain relief, with research supporting its benefits. Studies, such as one published in The Journal of Pain, demonstrate that hypnotherapy can reduce both acute and chronic pain by promoting relaxation and altering the brain's perception of pain. It has been particularly helpful for conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and post-surgery pain. Hypnotherapy for pain works by helping individuals manage pain without relying on medication, making it a valuable non-invasive option for pain relief.

Hypnotherapy for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders has also been shown to effectively treat sleep disorders and insomnia by promoting relaxation and helping individuals reprogram negative sleep patterns. Research, including a study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychology, indicates that hypnotherapy can significantly improve sleep quality by reducing anxiety and stress, which often contribute to insomnia. It works by guiding individuals into a deeply relaxed state and addressing subconscious barriers to restful sleep. As a result, hypnotherapy provides a non-pharmacological alternative for managing sleep issues and improving overall sleep health.

Regular hypnotherapy treatments can offer you a powerful, holistic approach to managing anxiety, boosting confidence, improving sleep, and alleviating pain, helping you lead a healthier, and more balanced life. When done by a trained professional and applied properly, modern hypnotherapy can deliver powerful results.