Hypnotherapy

[PainGo1]

Has anyone had any success with hypnotherapy for chronic pain?

[edythe]

Hypnosis can be a way to help with chronic pain. It has helped me considerably. There are various schools of thought and ways to practice hypnosis so you would need to look into that if you are open to the idea in the first place. As well, and equally important, you would need to find a practitioner who you trusted and with whom you felt completely secure. I was fortunate to find a consultant anaesthetist with additional training in what is known here in Germany as self-directed hypnosis.

[PainGo1 in reply to edythe]

Thank you that is helpful. Do you have it on a regular basis to keep the pain in check or can it be resolved with a few sessions?

[edythe in reply to PainGo1]

A lot will depend on the therapist’s approach, the cause of your chronic pain - is this quite clear or is it more complex, perhaps there no obvious cause- and whether there may be deeper roots of which you may not be aware. And of course the intensity of the pain and how restrictive this is.

In my experience this isn’t a form of therapy that fixes the problem and immediately stops the pain. Rather it opens up possibilities to find new ways to deal with and gradually reduce, maybe even completely end the pain. In my case I had about 10 very intensive sessions three years ago which made me feel more relaxed and positive; this led to a considerable reduction in pain.

[mascotty02]

Hi PainGo1, sorry your going through this, I was wondering the same with my pain and also I need to stop smoking as it is not doing me any good now, I am just at the beginning in my thoughts that I need to stop whereas before I enjoyed it. if anyone could recommend a good hypnotherapist in Manchester/Salford that would be great and thank you in advance

[PainGo1]

So there is a possibility that it can gradually reduce or get rid of the pain over time? Nothing else I have tried has made any difference whatsoever. My pain resulted from a foot injury 4 years ago that was badly managed by my GP.

[edythe]

It sounds as if bones were broken or ligaments were torn and that the resulting surgery was botched up. If this was the case, I have no idea if hypnosis could help here. My first port of call would be an expert PT or osteopath. I would want to find out if there is scaring in the foot and I might try acupuncture. My pain has been chronic pelvic pain.

[PainGo1]

I didn't have surgery just told to go home and deal with it. I had an x ray which showed no cracks but I'm sure it didn't pick them up at the time. What has caused your pelvic pain?

[edythe in reply to PainGo1]

So what treatment have you had in the meantime?

The cause of my pelvic pain is unknown. No injury, no hysterectomy or other op, no prolapse. PT with experienced therapists helped a lot but there was a breakthrough for me with hypnosis.

[PainGo1 in reply to edythe]

I had one session of hypnotherapy which left me exhausted and no difference to the pain. I need a follow up session apparently.

[Joe_D]

"Go home and deal with it" sounds like a common thing for doctors to say! I have been told that myself for my recurring pain. They can't pinpoint the cause, so it's like they don't believe in it. How are you feeling today?

[PainGo1]

Hi Joe, I take Ibroprofen most days or Co Dydramol now, otherwise I can't function. How are you?

[Joe_D in reply to PainGo1]

PainGo1 right now all I have is ibuprofen, and some days like today it's not enough. Ugh. My pain is related to an injury (I believe!) and I had stronger pain meds immediately after the injury, but only for about three days. They worry about addiction I guess. May I ask, do you have any diagnosis for your pain? Mine is pelvic pain also.

[PainGo1]

I injured my foot 5 years ago and have chronic pain in my leg now. That is all the doctors have told me. They have said "you were just very unlucky it has turned out this way" and sent me on the pain management course at St. George's Hospital last year to learn how to live with it.

[colourpassion]

Hi, i had some success but it couldn't be maintained with me. If your pain is in the one place you have more chance of success. My pain is complex, all through my right side and the type of pain is daily changing as it comes from brain damage. It is so important to get the right practitioner, mine was a top neuro specialist via a pain clinic. Good luck to you.

[PainGo1]

How do I find the right practitioner for me? I don't know if I need an osteopath, acupuncturist, nerve specialist or pain physiotherapist. Who can advise me on who can possibly help?

[edythe]

You were obviously seriously affected by the Covid lockdown when it was difficult to get to a doctor or other health professionals. However you need to get moving now as the longer you wait, the more difficult it will become, I fear.

You could use the search function on Health Unlocked - pin in foot pain, osteopathy or whatever and find out maybe about others with similar problems or about areas you would like to know about. Mr Google offers plenty of information too for a start.

People in real life are often a wonderful source of sometimes surprisingly helpful information: ask your family, your friends; ask them if they know a physiotherapist etc. You seem to be in London so there quite a lot of medical professionals around.

With your new information you should be able to ask more questions. This is extremely useful when you go to your GP or any other health practitioner. What information /support did you get from the pain management course? Did it help? Why(not)?

If the NHS can’t help, can you afford to go private? That may, of course, be a difficult point.

The best of luck in your next steps!