Hypnose in der Medizin
Ein Interview (von 1999)
Verena Hildebrand
Die medizinische Hypnose, bisher eher eine exotische Behandlungsmethode, bekommt immer mehr Beachtung. In vielen Zahnarztpraxen gehört sie bereits zum Standardrepertoire. Hauptindikationen: Angstabbau und Schmerzlinderung.
Der amerikanische Arzt Dr. Arthur C. Hastings setzt Hypnose schon präoperativ ein. Via medici-Autorin Verena Hildebrand, die auch den Artikel "Hypnose in der Medizin - Heilung in Trance" in Via medici 4/99 geschrieben hat, lernte ihn im Sommer 1999 am Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto kennen und führte folgendes Interview mit ihm.
1. How important is hypnosis to your mind in pain-treatment or prevention of pain? Does hypnosis play an important role in the treatment of pain - and if yes, so why?
Hypnotic suggestions can reduce the sensations of pain, even to the extent that surgical operations can be performed using only hypnosis without chemical anesthesia. Research by Ernest Hilgard at Stanford University documented that hypnosis reduced the intensity of pain, and also could enable individuals to withstand pain more easily and longer. This was in laboratory tests, and physicians who use hypnosis have found that in medical practice hypnosis reduces the amount of anesthetic needed, and with good hypnotic subjects it can be used alone for many operations. ental surgery can take place under hypnosis.
One of the advantages is that it can be used for patients who are allergic to particular anesthetics. Since hypnotism is relaxing and is a treatment for anxiety, patients are often more comfortable and less nervous when entering surgery.
Another important benefit is that hypnotic suggestion can reduce bleeding during surgical procedures. Research by Henry Bennett demonstrated 26 % to 40 % less blood loss in hip replacement surgery when patients were hypnotized.
2. How do you practice hypnosis for pain-treatment or prevention of pain?
In my own hypnotherapy practice, I have worked with patients for such procedures as open heart surgery, brain surgery, elective hysterectomy, hip replacement, orthopedic treatment, tumor removal, pancreatic surgery, and recovery of broken limbs.
I prefer to use hypnosis one or two times before the surgery and give hypnotic instructions that will be carried out during the surgery. These instructions include the body and mind being calm and relaxed, elimination of sensation in the area of the operation, reducing the flow of blood to the area so there will be less bleeding, and ignoring conversation in the operating room.
These suggestions are to be carried out by the unconscious mind during the surgery. Suggestions are also given for the body to heal normally and efficiently.
Usually I record the hypnotic session on tape, and give the patient a copy of the tape to listen to several times in preparation for the operation. The patients report that their anxiety is lessened, there is less bleeding, and they feel that they are recovering more easily.
I do not expect that this will be true for everyone, but certainly anything that will help patients enter surgery with more confidence and a positive attitude is desirable, and many can be helped to do this with hypnosis.
3. How does hypnosis for prevention of pain work?
There are several theories about the mechanism of reduction of pain, but I don't think any of them have been totally accepted. It certainly happens, but the way it works is not known yet.
The hypnotic suggestions are received at the unconscious level of awareness and they seem to create a body-mind connection that affects sensation, physiological processes, and mental states.
4. Would you like to describe a special "case" please?
One woman required surgery on the pancreas, which is very difficult to get to. She donated blood ahead of time because blood loss was expected. I used hypnotic suggestions to go along with the usual anesthetic.
The surgery went smoothly and there was so little blood loss that no replacement units were used. She recovered successfully.
5. How often has a patient to be hypnotized?
I prefer to have two sessions, but one session often is all there is time for, and this will work for most people.
6. What about the costs? How much costs one session?
My charge at present is $90.00 U.S. per session, which lasts about an hour.
7. I was told about a tape which the patient can take into the operating. What is on the tape and how does the content helps the patient?
The tape I mentioned above is usually a preparation tape, but sometimes I will make a recording of hypnotic suggestions for the patient to take into the operating room. Most of the hospitals around here will let the patient wear headphones during the surgery and listen to music or a hypnosis tape.
Maybe we are a little in the lead here, because this is not always allowed in hospitals elsewhere. I think it should be!
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Arthur Hastings is a professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California, USA, where he teaches courses in transpersonal theory, hypnosis, altered states of consciousness, and research methods.
He earned a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, and has also taught at Stanford University and the University of California.
Dr. Hastings edited the book Health for the Whole Person, and has written on hypnosis, stress, communication, and parapsychology.
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