How can hypnotherapy help individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS)?
How is Hypnotherapy for MS different?
Hypnotherapy for MS can go much further than breathing exercises and relaxation tapes to reduce the stress of having MS. It can also address symptoms and cause.
1. Hypnosis, MS, and Stress
Hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming (NLP) can help you change how you think about your disease and life. That is key because stress is not caused by WHAT happens to us but by the ‘meaning’ we put to what happened.  And the body reacts to that meaning positively (it’s safe and OK. Therefore we can relax) or detrimentally (life is threatening, and we are hopeless therefore we must be on guard).
Just changing meaning alone can have a large impact. Many studies have shown that hopelessness and negative thinking is detrimental to our health and can make symptoms worse. It’s important to change your thoughts and focus on what you can do. The sense of empowerment, confidence, and control by being proactive can reduce inflammation and lessen symptoms.
Additionally, you can be taught self-hypnosis techniques. Self-hypnosis can help you to manage the day to day issues, such as letting go of worry and regret, curbing the self-judgment, setting boundaries with others, and staying focused on the possibilities. You can also learn to use self-hypnosis techniques to:
- reduce pain and spasticity
- improve sleep,
- improve bowel and bladder issues
- …and more.
2. Hypnotherapy and the Symptoms of MS
Yes. There is plenty of research on the use of hypnosis for MS pain. The independent study done in 2015 shows that both physical and well as mental symptoms of MS were positively affected by hypnosis. The improvements occurred both with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis as well as progressive forms of MS, recently diagnosed as well as those that have lived with MS for more than 30 years of debilitating symptoms (you can read the testimonials of those that participated in the study here)
3. Hypnosis, MS, and Cause
Hypnosis for MS can help manage symptoms, but its strength resides in its therapeutic ability to address the psychosocial factors determinant in the onset and exacerbation of the disease (hypnotherapy). By helping to resolve the underlying psychosocial factors behind the disease, we remove a large part of what causes the MS.
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Excerpt of an Interview on Hypnotherapy for MS
Could you describe briefly and in layman’s terms how hypnosis works?
Hypnosis is similar to meditation - a relaxed state of inward focus. However, while in meditation you stay in that state and try not to think, in hypnosis, we utilize that state to access information from the subconscious. We use it to access memories, emotions, and triggers. Trance is a state that can influence our unconscious beliefs, mindsets, and behaviors.
Hypnotherapy for MS. What is a session like? What should someone expect?
The session usually starts with the client updating the hypnotherapist on gains and any issues that have come up since the last session. Then the client and hypnotherapist establish the desired outcomes for the session. In many cases, a gentle trance is used though occasionally the practitioner might use other modalities, such as NLP or Gestalt, to work on the issue.
Some of the work the hypnotherapist would do in hypnosis would be:
- Doing visualizations to change the sensation of symptoms (symptom management)
- Use gestalt therapy in a trance to talk about the symptoms or disease to understand what it is reacting to and what it needs.
- Use regression therapy to go back to when the condition, emotion, trigger or symptom began.
- Do inner child work to resolve limiting beliefs, grief, guilt, trauma or other adverse childhood experiences that the body and emotions are still reacting to.
How many sessions might be necessary to begin seeing an effect?
After only a few sessions of hypnotherapy for MS, there is a greater sense of inner calmness and control. Additionally, there can also be a lessening of symptoms. Deeper work on core beliefs and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) can take an average of 9 months (75 to 90-minute sessions twice a month).
Can clients be trained to use self-hypnosis to help them with their stress or with other symptoms?
Yes, definitely. One of the goals of hypnosis is to empower the client to be able to manage their symptoms, emotions, and triggers.
Is there anyone for whom hypnosis is not a good choice of therapy?
It is not recommended for those suffering severe mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and multiple personalities. Also, hypnotherapy is not a panacea. It is not a good choice if you are only looking for a one-stop solution. It should not be used in isolation. Clients must also be addressing the physical factors (toxins, food intolerances and environmental triggers) with a skilled practitioner. You can find information on the physical factors in the Creating Health Series.
What would you say to those who may be reluctant to try hypnosis, skeptical, or believe they can’t be hypnotized?
Hypnosis is a natural state we go in and out of all the time. When you first wake up and are still minimally remembering a dream, you are in hypnosis. When you are on the edge of falling asleep and worrying about what might go wrong, you are in hypnosis. Daydreaming while driving is also hypnosis.
I always tell skeptics that chronic disease is not viral. It is produced in the body by the body. It is a reaction of the body to environmental overloads (both physical and mental). The subconscious mind is responsible for all the functions of the body. It is also the keeper of our beliefs and memories. What better method to address the symptoms and what the body is reacting to than by working with the subconscious mind?
What should one look for when choosing a practitioner?
As with coaching, some hypnotherapists have only taken a 10-day training. For something such as multiple sclerosis where there is clear evidence of psychosocial factors behind the onset and evolution of the disease, you want to work with a practitioner with extensive training. It is recommended they also have training in regression therapy, NLP, and parts work. Also, you want to work with a practitioner willing to work with you for at least six months. That will provide the time to get to the deeper cause of the disease and create lasting change.
Hypnotherapy can help with MS. It requires a trained practitioner and a proactive client.