Hypnosis and Cancer
The body is an expression of the mind. What goes in must come out. I had a psychologist friend once who said if you put thoughts of disease, depression, fear and failure into the mind that is very likely what you and your body will experience. On the other hand, if you put thoughts of joy, success, faith and health into the mind, you are likely to express that in the physical body and in your life. This is a profound and powerful statement in and of itself and should start the mental wheels turning. You remember that song, don’t you, with the verse: “the hip bone’s connected to the leg bone, the leg bone’s connected to the . . .” and so on and so on? Well, there’s truth in that song! We should add a verse that says the mind is connected to the body. Hypnosis is like a handbook that teaches us how our mind works and how to make better use of it whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight, overcome fear, manage pain or deal with a very potentially fatal disease such as cancer In considering how hypnosis can help specifically with cancer or any other life-threatening disease, we should take a look at the different aspects of recieving such a diagnosis.
First, there are the feelings that arise from hearing the words, "You’ve got cancer.” The spectrum of feelings is broad and can range anywhere from fear to anger to hopelessness to blame or shame to a diminished sense of self-esteem or self-confidence and all the emotional shades of grey in between.
Second, there are the possible physical effects of the disease and the treatments (which often are just as dreaded as the disease) such as pain, nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight, hair loss and a compromised immune system. Just to name a few.
First, there are the feelings that arise from hearing the words, "You’ve got cancer.” The spectrum of feelings is broad and can range anywhere from fear to anger to hopelessness to blame or shame to a diminished sense of self-esteem or self-confidence and all the emotional shades of grey in between.
Second, there are the possible physical effects of the disease and the treatments (which often are just as dreaded as the disease) such as pain, nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight, hair loss and a compromised immune system. Just to name a few.
Third, there are the personal issues that can sometimes interfere with the healing process such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, and the like.
Just as the spectrum of feelings, side effects and symptoms of such a disease as well as the personal issues can be broad, so are the uses of hypnosis. Teaching a patient the use of self-hypnosis to control symptoms or side effects can powerfully impact them by providing them with a sense of mastery to help counter feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. Deep meditative hypnosis produces feelings of calm and tranquillity that fosters the immune system’s ability to function at a maximum level, aiding the body’s ability to protect and defend itself against disease. The side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and loss of hair may be successfully addressed through hypnotic suggestion according to scientific research. Helping an individual tap into and use their inner resources and strengths fosters feelings of self-empowerment to deal more effectively with the circumstances of their lives
Just as the spectrum of feelings, side effects and symptoms of such a disease as well as the personal issues can be broad, so are the uses of hypnosis. Teaching a patient the use of self-hypnosis to control symptoms or side effects can powerfully impact them by providing them with a sense of mastery to help counter feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. Deep meditative hypnosis produces feelings of calm and tranquillity that fosters the immune system’s ability to function at a maximum level, aiding the body’s ability to protect and defend itself against disease. The side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and loss of hair may be successfully addressed through hypnotic suggestion according to scientific research. Helping an individual tap into and use their inner resources and strengths fosters feelings of self-empowerment to deal more effectively with the circumstances of their lives
It is said of cancer that it is a sickness of the soul. In fact it is strongly linked to the emotions. Cancer is so often preceded by a depression. The most frequent symptoms are a feeling of despair and a feeling of helplessness, which reflect the state of our mind. And very importantly the patients who come out the best, regardless of the treatment, are the fighters, the rebels, the ones who refuse to give up.
Cancer is a process by which cells, for whatever reason, become changed lose their normal identity and structure, multiply out of control, invade the surrounding area and may even spread to other parts or organs of the body relatively far away from the original cancer. Usually the body’s immune system clears up these abnormal cells but if the immune system is inefficient then a cancer develops.
The mind and body have the power to create perfect health. The ability to heal exists in every one of us! Many diseases and illnesses have their foundation in emotional or traumatic events that have occurred in our lives. The use of Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis can locate and release the trauma or emotion that is subconsciously powering the illness. Once the emotion is discharged, the body can heal naturally and rapidly. Every thought that we think has a physiological effect on our cells. Sometimes, no matter how much we desire to have perfect health, there is a subconscious "belief" running that overrides the conscious thoughts. With the use of Hypnotherapy, a clear line of communication is established between the conscious and subconscious mind, body and spirit. When that happens....EXPECT A MIRACLE!
Disease, whether of body or mind is always a call to look within ourselves, to the source of the disease, which very often may be hidden from awareness in the subconscious mind. Negative mental and emotional states such as fear, anxiety, guilt and anger all prevent us from accessing the universal healing power (our sub-conscious mind). The key to healing is always within. I love the biblical quote, “the kingdom of heaven is within” (Luke 17:20-21).
Hypnosis is a powerful tool that helps us more effectively use the wonderful mind we have been given. Recognizing that our beliefs colour and shape our experiences, one can use hypnosis (either self-induced or hetero-induced) to work with the subconscious mind to “re-educate” or “replace” that belief, which is no longer serving us well, with a greater idea. The uses and benefits of using hypnosis on a regular basis are many and wonderful. It can help us live more effectively, more healthily, more productively and, yes, even more joyfully.
Whatever has caused the cancer, it is self-defeating for the patient to blame themselves or inherited genes. Hypnosis will help them to experience hope and neutralize negativity by implanting a new attitude of determination and optimism.
Hypnosis will also help the patient to get on the right track with their health in strengthening the immune system by quitting smoking, changing diet, or other related habit changes.
Above everything else we have discussed thus far, the patients thinking must be shifted from that of a victim to that of a fighter who is determined to win the battle with cancer.
National estimates of five-year relative survival for patients diagnosed during 1994-2001 as a whole were...
75.4% for breast cancer,
49.2% for colorectal cancer,
8.6% for lung cancer and
69.5% for prostate cancer.
Even some seemingly hopeless cases have recovered. In fact, the recovery rate is now approaching 50 percent of all new cases. From the beginning of treatment, it will be beneficial for a patient to be assured that cancer is no longer an almost certain killer.
- Alleviate the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy; controlling nausea and vomiting, thereby helping the patient to remain in treatment longer and improving the odds of slowing or stopping the spread of the disease.
- Deaden sensations of pain, reducing the reliance on narcotics.
- Ego-strengthening to overcome the impact on self-esteem and feelings of self-confidence.
- Lessen the feelings of anxiety and fear.
- There is encouraging research that hypnotic imagery may enhance the functioning of the immune system.
Cancer is a process by which cells, for whatever reason, become changed lose their normal identity and structure, multiply out of control, invade the surrounding area and may even spread to other parts or organs of the body relatively far away from the original cancer. Usually the body’s immune system clears up these abnormal cells but if the immune system is inefficient then a cancer develops.
Let us not lose sight of the fact that…
- Re-enforcing the immune system is paramount in the fight against cancer
- Cancer is an illness that is treatable and preventable.
- The principal cause of cancer is to be found in the mind.
- Preventing cancer implies reinforcing our immune system.
- Refusing to submit is a plus for a healthy recovery.
- Cancer is a wake up call that we give ourselves. Our body is telling us to take the weight off our feet, to re-establish contact with ourselves, and re-orient our life.
- Hypnosis is incredibly effective in pain control.
- Hypnosis is incredibly effective in boosting the immune system.
The mind and body have the power to create perfect health. The ability to heal exists in every one of us! Many diseases and illnesses have their foundation in emotional or traumatic events that have occurred in our lives. The use of Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis can locate and release the trauma or emotion that is subconsciously powering the illness. Once the emotion is discharged, the body can heal naturally and rapidly. Every thought that we think has a physiological effect on our cells. Sometimes, no matter how much we desire to have perfect health, there is a subconscious "belief" running that overrides the conscious thoughts. With the use of Hypnotherapy, a clear line of communication is established between the conscious and subconscious mind, body and spirit. When that happens....EXPECT A MIRACLE!
Disease, whether of body or mind is always a call to look within ourselves, to the source of the disease, which very often may be hidden from awareness in the subconscious mind. Negative mental and emotional states such as fear, anxiety, guilt and anger all prevent us from accessing the universal healing power (our sub-conscious mind). The key to healing is always within. I love the biblical quote, “the kingdom of heaven is within” (Luke 17:20-21).
Hypnosis is a powerful tool that helps us more effectively use the wonderful mind we have been given. Recognizing that our beliefs colour and shape our experiences, one can use hypnosis (either self-induced or hetero-induced) to work with the subconscious mind to “re-educate” or “replace” that belief, which is no longer serving us well, with a greater idea. The uses and benefits of using hypnosis on a regular basis are many and wonderful. It can help us live more effectively, more healthily, more productively and, yes, even more joyfully.
Hypnotherapy & the Treatment of Cancer
Many people with cancer believe that cancer is contagious, that it is somehow shameful, that only the merest handful ever recover from it and those who do are left disfigured and unattractive, and so on.
In order to recover,
Cancer sufferers must let go of these misconceptions and replace them with positive and correct viewpoints, which Hypnosis will help you do.Whatever has caused the cancer, it is self-defeating for the patient to blame themselves or inherited genes. Hypnosis will help them to experience hope and neutralize negativity by implanting a new attitude of determination and optimism.
Hypnosis will also help the patient to get on the right track with their health in strengthening the immune system by quitting smoking, changing diet, or other related habit changes.
Above everything else we have discussed thus far, the patients thinking must be shifted from that of a victim to that of a fighter who is determined to win the battle with cancer.
National estimates of five-year relative survival for patients diagnosed during 1994-2001 as a whole were...
75.4% for breast cancer,
49.2% for colorectal cancer,
8.6% for lung cancer and
69.5% for prostate cancer.
Even some seemingly hopeless cases have recovered. In fact, the recovery rate is now approaching 50 percent of all new cases. From the beginning of treatment, it will be beneficial for a patient to be assured that cancer is no longer an almost certain killer.
Hypnosis is effective as a complimentary adjunct to conventional health care treatment and should not supplant medical therapy. There are, however, a wide range of clinical applications hypnosis can support in the healing process:
- Alleviate the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy; controlling nausea and vomiting, thereby helping the patient to remain in treatment longer and improving the odds of slowing or stopping the spread of the disease.
- Deaden sensations of pain, reducing the reliance on narcotics.
- Ego-strengthening to overcome the impact on self-esteem and feelings of self-confidence.
- Lessen the feelings of anxiety and fear.
- There is encouraging research that hypnotic imagery may enhance the functioning of the immune system.
- Deal with the stress, depression, and loneliness that may be linked to cancer.
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