cancer
how hypnotherapy can help
Hypnotherapy can significantly benefit a person with cancer in a variety of ways:
- Hypnosis can encourage hope and provide a sense of personal control through the use of imagery
- Hypnosis can increase relaxation, both through guided visualisation and self-hypnosis
- Hypnosis can reduce anxiety, fear and other negative emotions
- Hypnosis can facilitate self esteem, helping people with cancer to feel better about themselves
- Hypnosis can help with pain management
- Hypnosis can assist a person both to prepare for surgery and with post operative recovery
- Hypnosis can reduce the undesirable side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Hypnosis can reduce a person’s preoccupation with dying and help him or her return to a productive life
living with cancer
Cancer has become one of our most dreaded illnesses. Finding out you have the disease can feel like all your dreams have suddenly shattered; and the very light of your life has been knocked right out.
Indeed, people with cancer often require some help to realise that they are still living, all-be-it with a serious problem. It’s so important that they get back to actually living - emotionally, personally and socially. Throughout life, each of us needs to focus on the things we can do for the best and, in this regard, people with cancer are no different. Like anyone else, they don’t know exactly when they will die.
fear, stress and cancer
Of course there is life after cancer but, so often, people with the illness are just not able to see this. They are left feeling ashamed, guilty and unworthy. Many see themselves as different to others and as social outcasts. People with cancer also have a tendency to feel isolated, sad, hurt and even angry. And their fear can be beyond description.
Although such a reaction is understandable, it’s not helpful. There is now evidence to suggest that chronic stress, particularly when it’s associated with feelings of helplessness, may adversely effect treatment. Using trance to produce calm and tranquillity, on the other hand, allows the immune system to perform at a significantly higher level, which in turn assists a person’s body fight cancer. Positive expectations, self-awareness and self-care really do contribute to survival.
When we are faced with a serious illness, it can also become important to address unresolved issues from the past. I provide a confidential and supportive environment for my clients to do this and encourage them to open up and talk about their feelings and the things that are worrying them, especially if doing so is likely to reduce stress and improve their emotional wellbeing.
using visualisation to beat cancer
Hypnotherapists have for a long time been interested as to whether the functioning of the immune system may also be influenced by suggestion and imagery. Of particular interest are visualisations in which the client’s defences devour or otherwise destroy malignant cells. There is evidence to indicate that imagery of this sort can lengthen the survival of people with cancer, as well as improve their quality of life, their mood and their ability to cope with the illness.
Although these findings are still not conclusive, I am happy to include such visualisation work in an overall treatment plan.
support
So whether you need help with cancer on an emotional level or with managing pain, preparing for surgery or dealing with the side effects of your medical treatment, do make a time to see me. Alternatively contact me with any questions you might have. It will be good to hear from you!
