I tried hypnotherapy about a year ago based on some other theories, but found everything in your broadcast consistent with what I learned. With only a couple of low-cost sessions, I regained some abilities I had lost. Whether this is solely attributable to hypnotherapy, I cannot prove (as I did some other things simultaneously, such as removing metalic dental amalgam), but I am satisfied that it has helped me control the “fear”-response (as your guest described what we otherwise call “stress”) better than in the past. That is one of the beauties of this therapy. It is short term and does not require a great deal of effort to practice, but the results are sustainable.
Thanks for this program. It has helped confirm my belief that a great deal of PD symptoms are bio-emotional, or psycho-somatic, if you will. When I take an enjoyable vacation, I have found my symptoms to be remarkably reduced, to the point where I require little or no medication for days on end. Likewise, when I experience even mild emotional trauma (or fear of such), my symptoms present themselves regardless of any level of medication. This is easy to miss in our modern feverish lifestyles, but it is often noted that whenever a PD person immerses or loses themselves in an enjoyable activity, they tend to “forget” their symptoms until they return once again to a “normal” state of mind.
Brad
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is an alternative therapy that uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness, or a trance-like state. In this state, patients may be more receptive to suggestions, helping them alter certain behaviors, manage stress, or address psychological challenges.
Here are some ways hypnotherapy might help people with Parkinson’s disease:
1. Hypnotherapy helps Manage Stress and Anxiety:
Parkinson’s can often be accompanied by anxiety, stress, or depression. Hypnotherapy can help manage these psychological symptoms by promoting relaxation, reducing the body’s fight-or-flight response, and enhancing coping mechanisms. The deep relaxation induced in hypnosis may also help alleviate the mental strain that often accompanies chronic illness.
2. Improving Sleep:
People with Parkinson’s disease often struggle with sleep disturbances due to motor symptoms (like tremors and rigidity) or other factors such as pain and medication side effects. Hypnotherapy may improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and helping individuals develop better sleep habits or mental techniques to ease into sleep.
3. Pain Management:
Chronic pain is another common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, and while medication can help, it may not completely resolve pain or could cause side effects. Hypnotherapy has been shown to help some people manage pain by altering the perception of pain or increasing pain tolerance through relaxation and focused attention techniques.
4. Improving Movement and Motor Function:
There is some evidence to suggest that hypnotherapy may help improve motor functions and motor control in certain cases. The mental and emotional state of someone with Parkinson’s can affect their physical movements (e.g., they may be more prone to freezing or difficulty initiating movement). Hypnosis may help individuals visualize smoother movement patterns or reduce some of the psychological barriers to movement, potentially improving motor coordination.
5. Enhancing Emotional Well-being:
Parkinson’s disease often leads to a range of emotional and psychological challenges, including feelings of frustration, helplessness, or depression. Hypnotherapy might help address these feelings by promoting positive thinking, reframing negative thoughts, or facilitating emotional expression and acceptance. This may improve overall quality of life.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
