Hypnosis has a long and glorious association with medicine. Early modern hypnotists (magnetists, mesmerists) were primarily interested in the healing and curative effects of hypnosis. Hypnosis was accepted by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1958 as a viable treatment option for various medical issues. The Mayo Clinic used hypnosis to potentiate anesthesia and save lives back at a time when people regularly did not awaken from surgery due to anesthesia-related complications. Since then a great deal of research, and access to modern technology such as fMRI and PET, has demonstrated the efficacy of hypnosis for a plethora of medical and dental-related issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stress and anxiety, childbirth, infertility, high blood pressure, smoking cessation, weight loss, (hypno) anesthesia, and so many others. Also, hypnosis helps with fears and phobias that can make receipt of medical/dental care nearly impossible: fear of needles, fear of dentists, fear of dental equipment, fear of MRI (claustrophobia), etc.
In nearly every case there is no need for the hypnotherapist to accompany you to the hospital/dentist/doctor’s office. (Occasionally other arrangements may be made for childbirth or surgery.) Your issue is addressed and resolved in the hypnotherapy room through appropriate hypnotic techniques as determined by your hypnotherapist. Most issues are released during the session(s) and become non-issues. Methods of tapping instantaneously into the body’s natural relaxation response are utilized—these defeat any fear and result in an overall sense of calm. Anesthesia, if necessary, is taught and practiced in the office and then may be triggered when needed. Hypnoanesthesia feels like medical or dental anesthesia but without the side effects. You can have dental work performed and some medical procedures (depending on your doctor) using hypnoanesthesia. You are only limited by your imagination.