Research Continues To Support The Benefits Of Self-Hypnosis In Chronic Pain Management

Posted by: Alan Fisher, Ph.D. Posted date: April 24, 2010 In: Featured, Neurofeedback, Psychotherapy | comment : 1

Readers interested in pain management, hypnosis, or neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback) may want to take the time to read the brief, well written article, “Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management: A New Hope.” The author (Mark P. Jensen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine) speaks to three trends in hypnosis’ role in pain management.

First, chronic pain is related to the supraspinal nervous system activity (ie. Thalamus, Insula, Sensory Cortices, Anterior Cingulate, and Prefrontal Cortex). Second, studies support that self-hypnosis has direct effects on the supraspinal sites. Third, self-hypnosis is effective in decreasing the severity of pain.

Also of interest, brief information on EEG brain activity associated with hypnosis is discussed. Specifically, beta activity (faster brainwaves) tends to decrease, while alpha activity (mixed slow and mid-range brainwaves) shows increases. Neurofeedback research substantiates that individuals can learn to alter their brainwaves; hence it is likely that an individual may be able to create a “hypnotic-like” state through neurofeedback training to enhance response to hypnotic suggestions.

The author discusses three possible ways to enhance the effectiveness of self-hypnosis that includes:

“using virtual reality hypnosis,
combining hypnosis with EEG-biofeedback (neurofeedback) training, and
providing self-hypnosis training much earlier in the course of the development of a chronic pain problem.” (pg. 236)

Readers interested to read more on chronic pain management and neurofeedback/hypnosis are referred the to the October – December, 2009 issue of the Journal of Neurotherapy (p. 196-213) for another article by Mark P. Jensen, Ph.D., et. al.

Alan T. Fisher, Ph.D.

Reference
Jensen, M. (2009). Hypnosis for chronic pain management: A new hope. Pain, 146 (3, 5), 235-237.

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About The Author

Alan Fisher, Ph.D.

Dr. Fisher earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Houston in 1973. He is a licensed Psychologist by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Further, Dr. Fisher is designated as a Health Service Provider both at the state and national level. Additional information about the Health Service Provider designation can be found at the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. In addition, Dr. Fisher is licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). For over 30 years, Dr. Fisher and his staff have provided not only psychological services in his private practice to the South Texas Coastal Bend, but also provides consultation and assessment services to many schools and Special Education cooperatives. Dr. Fisher is active in professional associations. He has served as the past president of the Nueces Psychological Association and president of the Division of School Psychology of the Texas Psychological Association (TPA). Dr. Fisher has been a member of the Texas Psychological Association for over twenty-five years and for three years he served on the Texas Psychological Association Board of Trustees. He has been a member of the American Psychological Association for over thirty years and a member of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (iSNR) for twelve years. Currently, Dr. Fisher is a Consulting Editor to the Journal of Neurotherapy. Dr. Fisher has made professional presentations at regional, state, and national levels.

Number of Entries : 4

Comments (1)

Christopher Fisher, M.A.

April 27, 2010 at 9:22 PM

Great first post! I want to welcome Dr. Alan Fisher, who is also my father, to BMED Report. He is a clinical psychologist, Consulting Editor for the Journal of Neurotherapy, and noted expert in the fields of hypnosis, neurofeedback, and QEEG. I am very excited to have his expertise and perspectives published at BMED Report! Welcome!

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