One of the more unique applications of hypnosis is helping individuals deal with the annoyance of tinnitus (ringing ears). I became interested in this type of hypnosis because of my own struggle with tinnitus, and how there is no effective medical treatment available.
Harnessing the creative imagination with hypnosis opens up all sorts of relief possibilities. My clients are guided during hypnosis to imagine control dials regulating the pitch and volume of the sound.
They are also asked to consider situations such as the sound of a neighbor’s lawnmower on a summer day.
They can obviously hear it clearly if they choose, but if they are engrossed in a good book at the same time, the lawnmower sound completely disappears.
Even though tinnitus is quite real, caused neurologically, or by illness or trauma, how we choose to perceive it plays a big role in how it effects are daily lives. Hypnosis is a great tool that makes this possible.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
I have seen many clients over the years suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I was a surprised as you might be to learn of the connection between IBS and hypnosis. I decided to pursue certification in this specialty because of the staggering positive research supporting hypnosis as the #1 symptom relief option.
The gastroenterology medical journal, “Gut” published a study in 2003 to determine if IBS relief with hypnosis lasts. They surveyed 204 patients over a 5 year period who received 6 IBS specific hypnosis sessions and also listened to sessions daily at home for 3 months.
After 5 years 72% maintained their improvement over time and 19% claimed that deterioration of symptoms had only been slight.
I share this study to all of my clients to help them understand how powerful hypnosis is to create lasting positive change no matter what their goal. It’s all about pattern of thought; in life we follow the path of what we think about most. Over time problem patterns can become rooted, locked in place.
Routine hypnosis brain-training can even offer lasting relief from the extreme symptoms such IBS, chronic pain, stress and worry. It can instantly change ones perspective from ongoing struggle to the anticipation of success. It’s easy to do, it feels good, and you can do it anytime you want.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
Impulsive actions are the byproduct of repetition. Like athletes training their bodies, we also train our minds to create an automatic impulsive sensibility to how we navigate through life. Musicians, students, artists, and actors are also examples of individuals benefiting from repetition.
However, if bad habits are repeated long enough, they can also become impulsively automatic. Smokers frequently light and smoke whole cigarettes without realizing. Some people consume whole meals without noticing a single bite.
A steady accumulation of unhealthy, impulsive choices and actions can add up to big problems. What makes it even more frustrating is that everyone knows what they should do, or what they would prefer to do, but it doesn’t matter. Once the pattern of action or thought is repeated enough it becomes impulsively rooted in place.
The great thing about hypnosis is how easily it frees impulsive patterns, while establishing a mindful shift to preferred alternatives. Clients effortlessly become carefully aware of everything they do. Smokers think long and hard before lighting up. They consider the foul taste, the expense and potential for physical harm; for those who continue smoking after hypnosis, they usually don’t do so for long.
Hypnosis harnesses the unwanted, unhealthy and unproductive impulsive thoughts and actions. It helps individuals to keep their eye on the prize, no matter what their goal might be. In fact, most of my clients experience unexpected freedom, clarity and relief in areas unrelated to what prompted them to pursue hypnosis in the first place.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
Session four supports enhanced confidence and eagerly seeking out healthy nutritional options. It helps clients become more aware of how they feel while eating so they can conclude mealtime when comfortable not full. It also suggests that mealtime be an uninterrupted endeavor; no texting, twitter, or television.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
My smoking clients come for two office visits and a small percentage continue to smoke between visits, and those who do frequently comment on how horrible cigarettes taste. Something they were never aware of becomes painfully obvious to the extent that many are embarrassed.
The subconscious mind, in its infinite wisdom, makes it easy for smokers to quit by changing how cigarette smoke smells. Because quitting is something that they want to do, hypnosis guides the subconscious to make the transition comfortable. Who would wonder do something that tastes so bad?
Clients become more aware of the stink of cigarette smoke on their clothing, in their hair, and in their automobiles. In a matter of days they transition from not noticing the smell at all, to being repulsed by every aspect of smoking.
Hypnosis also enhances the individuals overall mindfulness. Clients listen to sessions daily, and as a result they become much more aware of the health risks associated with smoking. Prior to hypnosis they intellectually knew how unhealthy smoking is but after hypnosis that knowledge is taken to a much deeper level. They go from knowing it to feeling it.
By: Paul Gustafson RN CH
