WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
By Judy Callihan Warfield

Have you ever been totally absorbed while reading a book, gardening, listening to music, or watching a movie? Did you notice that when you were “lost” in those activities that you forgot to notice the things going on around you? Did that chronic pain go away for a moment? Did the day to day concerns and stress reduce? This is the trancelike state or focused attention that is similar to what happens when you are in hypnosis.

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is an altered state of consciousness. When you are under hypnosis:
• Your attention is more focused
• You are more responsive to suggestions
• Your senses are more heightened
• Concentration is heightened

Hypnosis has been practiced for thousands of years and approved by the American Medical Association as a viable healthcare practice since 1958. It has been compared to deep thought, meditation, prayer, an alpha wave state similar to that right before you fall asleep, or that “zoning out” when doing a repetitive or focused activity.

It is not clear how hypnosis works. However, it appears to affect how your brain communicates with your body. Hence the mind/body connection. There is a common phrase “Where the mind goes, the body will follow”. When you are hypnotized you are able to concentrate intensely on a specific thought, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions.

Because thru hypnosis your conscious mind is bypassed you are able to access the subconscious mind that controls your
behavior, patterns, limiting beliefs, and habits. You are now more open to suggestions and this can be used to improve your health and well-being. The purpose of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique is to help you understand and gain more control over your behavior, habits, emotions or physical well being.

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Articles are designed to provide a broad overview of this topic and provide general information. Each person has individual and unique considerations. Hypnotherapy is never meant to be in lieu of your prescribed medical protocol. It is intended to compliment and enhance your current physician’s recommendations. I do not cure, diagnose, or prescribe. Any issue that may have a medical origin will require a referral from your physician.

Each person's issues are unique to them. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your specific questions and concerns.