I’ve had several bad backaches that laid me up for days. I never know when they are going to come on. I find myself in a state of dread worrying about it. Would hypnosis help this sort of problem?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. The patient is responsive to suggestion and may even respond involuntarily. It has been used for a wide range of problems from addiction to performance anxiety.

Hypnosis is often used to reduce or eliminate feelings of fear, dread, or anxiety. Hypnosis can be used with chronic pain patients. New research shows that hypnosis can ease painful experiences by defusing the emotional response to it. Waiting and watching for pain or other symptoms to come back may actually bias the person toward feeling those responses just to get it over with.

Hypnosis won’t change the cause of the problem. But it can help you manage pain or unpleasant symptoms caused by the condition. There may be other treatment options that work as well. Relaxation, biofeedback, aromatherapy, and acupuncture are just a few of the other options to consider.