Statistics suggest around 26% of the adult population (one in four) in the UK live with chronic pain.
Around the world nearly two billion people experience recurrent tension headaches, making this the most common type of chronic pain. Because it is ongoing, chronic pain is particularly difficult to treat with drugs, due to side effects and addiction issues.
Pain itself is useful, in fact it is vital. Like a smoke alarm alerting us to something that needs our attention. When the original trigger for the pain has stopped, but the alarm continues it leads to persistent pain, like a smoke alarm that's gone haywire.
Pain following an injury or operation is to be expected and most people get back to normal fairly quickly. Pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment is often defined as chronic or persistent pain, though not always as simple or straightforward as that, it is a general definition.
The pain can be there all the time, or it may come and go. It can be anywhere in your body. Often chronic pain can interfere with daily activities, such as working, social activities and taking care of yourself or others. It can lead to depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, which can then make the pain worse. This then creates a cycle that’s difficult to break.
Those living with chronic pain will know all too well the negative impact on mental health and how it can cast a shadow over every aspect of life, including relationships, work, hobbies and interests.
Chronic pain that’s not linked to an injury or physical illness is psychogenic pain or psychosomatic pain. This is caused by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. Many scientists believe this connection comes from low levels of endorphins in the blood which are natural chemicals that trigger positive feelings.
Hypnotherapy offers a scientifically-proven natural treatment for pain. It can provide powerful, effective relief allowing you to live a more full and fulfilling life. One recent study found that eight hypnosis sessions or more provided significant pain relief, another found that hypnosis had pronounced effects on pain and anxiety reduction.
Some of the chronic conditions that Hypnotherapy can help clients manage with include migraines, headaches, joint pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, IBS, and much more.
Recently there has been a great deal of focus on Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain and extreme tiredness. Symptoms vary from person to person but the main symptom is pain all over your body. It's not clear what causes fibromyalgia. It can start after a stressful event like an injury, illness or the death of a loved one. There's no cure for the condition, but treatments like painkillers, may help ease some of the symptoms. More and more studies are showing the positive impact hypnotherapy can have for those living with the condition. A recent study showed hypnotherapy over one month significantly lowered the intensity of pain and fatigue, as well as symptoms of depression, among people with fibromyalgia.
Get in touch to find out more about hypnotherapy and how it can help you with chronic pain, or any other issues.
Malcolm Struthers Hypnotherapy - Online and in-person in Dumfries & Galloway
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