Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States alone. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can include pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, which can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, making it challenging to manage. Fortunately, studies have shown hypnosis and hypnotherapy can offer relief for fibromyalgia symptoms, even when other treatments have failed.
Several studies have found that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for the management of fibromyalgia. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that hypnotherapy was effective in reducing pain, fatigue, and depression in individuals with fibromyalgia. Another study from 2019, published in the Journal of Pain Research, found that hypnosis was an effective treatment option for fibromyalgia pain and depression.
Notably, the American College of Physicians has recommended hypnotherapy as a viable option for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. In a 2013 clinical practice guideline, the organization stated that hypnotherapy was effective in improving pain, fatigue, and overall functioning in individuals with fibromyalgia.
One of the reasons hypnotherapy appears to be so effective for fibromyalgia is that it helps address underlying psychological factors that may contribute to the condition. According to a 2018 review published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine, fibromyalgia is often associated with anxiety, depression, and stress. By addressing these psychological factors using hypnotherapy, individuals with fibromyalgia can experience significant improvements in their symptoms.
In addition to its psychological benefits, hypnotherapy may also work by altering pain perception. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Pain found that hypnosis helped alter participants’ brain activity, resulting in reduced pain perception.
Overall, hypnotherapy offers a promising treatment option for individuals with fibromyalgia, the evidence suggests that hypnotherapy can help manage pain, fatigue, and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. As always, individuals interested in pursuing hypnotherapy should work only with a registered Clinical Hypnotherapist to ensure it is a safe and appropriate treatment option for them.
References:
American College of Physicians. (2013). Diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: ACP clinical practice guidelines.
Castel, A., Cascella, M., Falvo, S., Carotenuto, M., & Esposito, M. (2019). Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – fibromyalgia syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain Research, 12, 2877–2886.
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Gallagher, R. M., & Galbraith, J. G. (2015). Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome using hypnotherapy: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 21(2), 60–68.
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