Hypnosis

Hypnosis is the trance-like state of high concentration in which you are awake but calm and still. In this relaxed state, a person becomes more open to suggestion. Hypnosis can be used to block the awareness of pain, to substitute another feeling for the pain, and to change the feeling to one that is not painful. You can be hypnotized by a person trained in hypnosis, often a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also be trained to hypnotize yourself.

During hypnosis, many people feel much like we do when we begin to wake up in the morning. We can't quite open our eyes, but are very aware. We can hear sounds inside or outside our house. Our eyes stay closed, and we feel as though we either can't or don't want to wake up and open our eyes.

A trained hypnotherapist can teach people to put themselves in a hypnotic state, to make positive suggestions to themselves, and to leave the hypnotic state when they're ready.

Choose a hypnotherapist who is licensed in the healing arts or who works under the supervision of someone who is licensed. To find a therapist skilled in hypnosis, ask your pain control doctor, or contact a larger cancer center near you.