Medical hypnosis
WHAT IS MEDICAL HYPNOSIS?
The use of hypnosis in medicine is very ancient. Nowadays, numerous brain imaging studies prove that the effects of hypnosis are “scientifically” demonstrable. These effects are different from that of relaxation or meditation. It has also been demonstrated that hypnosis reduces the perception of pain and the anxiety associated with feelings of pain. Therefore, hypnosis reduces two components of pain: defence mechanisms and the emotional component. Furthermore, it has no side effect.
In the context of surgery, medical hypnosis is an integral part of the techniques offered to manage pain and/or anxiety.
Evidently, the use of medical hypnosis covers other fields of medicine, in particular psychotherapy or the treatment of addictions.
HOW IS IT USED AT THE EUROPE HOSPITALS?
Hypnosis is used at the St-Michel site of the Europe Hospitals. We use this technique when providing healthcare to patients suffering from chronic pain, but also to reduce anxiety before an operation or childbirth. Hypnosis is also used in the operating room, in a secure environment (with monitoring) identical to that used for anaesthesia, to perform certain surgical procedures, either under hypnosis used alone, or by combining hypnosis and local or locoregional anaesthesia. To improve the patient’s comfort during the treatment, it is sometimes useful to associate painkillers administered intravenously, or as is more often the case, local or locoregional anaesthesia.
Most often, the theme used for hypnosis relates to a pleasant place or memory.
Other advantages of hypnosis are:
- Reduced nausea and vomiting after the operation
- Reduced anxiety before the procedure
- Avoiding the use of certain drugs that have numerous side effects and can be detrimental to the patient’s health.
