Functional pain is chronic pain that persists despite treatment with traditional pain medications. It is typically more disabling than pain from an acute injury, as it can be more resistant to treatment and more difficult to manage. Hypnosis can be used to target specific areas of functional pain, allowing for a deeper psychological exploration of the pain.
A hypnotherapy session for functional pain usually begins with a discussion about the individual's experience with their pain and the contextual factors that might be affecting it. Ultimately the goal is to help the individual find ways to cope with functional pain, including changing unhelpful beliefs and maladaptive behaviors that exacerbate the pain.
The hypnotic state itself is induced through relaxation and makes the individual more receptive to suggestions. The therapist can then make positive suggestions and provide reassurance about the pain, helping the individual to accept their experience and gradually let go of any unhelpful beliefs. The therapist will also help identify any traumas or other triggers for the pain and work with the individual to address them. With hypnosis, the individual can learn how to manage the pain and develop new, healthier responses to it.
Hypnosis can be an effective tool for managing functional pain, as it is a safe, non-invasive, holistic approach that can provide individuals with much-needed relief. Hypnosis has been proven to be effective in studies, often showing significant reductions in pain levels after even one session. If you’re looking for an effective way to reduce functional pain, hypnosis may be able to help you.