CALLING ALL ECZEMA SUFFERERS!!
ECZEMA & HOW HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP
Pain, itching and discomfort are signals, they are the body’s warning system telling us that something is wrong and they protect us from danger and damage.
Many skin conditions, if not caused by psychological factors are often aggravated by them, because the skin is highly sensitive to emotions, and because of the close links between the skin and the autonomic nervous system.
Learning to respond to stress differently; learning to become more relaxed; and using guided imagery together with positive suggestions and self-hypnosis, can all aid in the healing process.
When a person itches constantly, they can get into the habit of scratching. Scratching makes eczema much worse, so it’s important to break the itch / scratch cycle. Hypnotherapy and biofeedback aim to reduce stress and also break the habits that make eczema worse.
Hypnotherapy when used for Eczema sufferers, is an extremely helpful tool. It allows the sufferer to take control of any itching, discomfort and pain and everything else that goes with the condition, such as stress, self confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety and any fears or phobias that arise as a ‘by-product’ of the condition. Many people with skin disorders often have a negative body image hence they get themselves into a vicious cycle whereby their stress and negative emotions can drive their skin condition. Hypnotherapy has been proven to be most effective when used for both Chronic and Acute pain relief, discomfort and itching.
It is most important however, to point out that hypnosis cannot cure eczema, phorisis and the such like, because eczema is an auto-immune condition, (meaning the body attacks itself), but it can help the sufferer take control of the condition.
SO WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
Hypnotherapy is a ‘talking therapy’, wherein the therapist, called a hypnotherapist, puts the patient into a deep state of relaxation. The brain has both Pain and Pleasure Centres. These are located in the Limbic-Hypothalamic region and it has been found that hypnotherapy affects that region of the brain. PET Scan (Position Emission Tomography) studies show that muscular relaxation during hypnosis leads to the inhibition of the transmission of discomfort, itching and pain, thereby proving the connection between the mind and the body.
This connection is now accepted by most medical professionals
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state. For example daydreaming is a form of self-hypnosis. Another thing – how many of us have left somewhere only to arrive at our destination not remembering the journey? Well that’s a form of self-hypnosis too. So hypnosis is similar to daydreaming or meditation. It’s being in a wonderful relaxed state. When in this highly relaxed state the conscious mind is put aside and the subconscious mind comes to the fore and opens up. This allows the patient to receive helpful and beneficial suggestions, which are repeated by the therapist during each treatment. After a few treatments newly incorporated changes become permanent, also when in this hypnotic relaxed state patients can be taught by the therapist to take control of their discomfort and manage it, through the use of self-hypnosis, resulting in relief from any pain, discomfort and itching, which in turn allows the skin to start to heal.
As well as helping the sufferer take control of their itching, they can be taught how to reduce their stress and anxiety levels which they will then be able to control on a daily basis. This in turn should result in there being less flair-ups, thus allowing the skin to heal. Hypnotherapy can also help the sufferer, regain their self confidence, self-esteem and any fears and/or phobias that have resulted from suffering from eczema.
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