Can you use hypnotherapy alongside other complementary therapies and therapeutic practices? Absolutely!
However, before we go into specific detail about different types of therapy, it may be helpful to first explore some common terms, starting with ‘CAM’ the acronym which represents ‘complementary and alternative medicine’. So let’s break that down. Firstly, there’s complementary medicine (or complementary therapy) which refers to a treatment, such as acupuncture, that is used alongside conventional medical treatments. For example, as well as receiving conventional medication from a doctor/GP for back pain, a person may also have acupuncture treatment. An alternative medicine (or alternative therapy) would be a treatment that is used instead of standard medical treatment, replacing it completely. For example, instead of taking anti-nausea medication during pregnancy to reduce feelings of sickness, a person might instead rely on a specific type of diet to do the same job.
As well as complementary and alternative medicine, there is also ‘integrative medicine’ which combines standard medical care with CAM approaches that have a strong evidence base relating to their safety and effectiveness, the aim being to work more holistically with the patient. In addition, there are also ‘allied health professions’, including art therapists, dieticians, drama therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists and podiatrists.
Hypnotherapy is generally considered to be a complementary therapy, as it can work very effectively when combined with standard care. For example, to reduce anxiety prior to or during a medical procedure, or to alleviate or reduce irritable bowel syndrome.
This blog explores just some of the many different ways that hypnotherapy can be used in conjunction with complementary therapies and alongside allied health practices. Hypnotherapy can support and enhance therapeutic processes, and even treat a vast number of symptoms and conditions. In addition to symptom management, it can work with developing healthy behaviours and positive thought processes and beliefs, together with gaining insight into and addressing any subconscious blocks to health, such as ‘secondary gains’. Furthermore, hypnotherapy can aid effective goal setting and promote mental rehearsal to facilitate greater engagement with self-care. For each of the following complementary therapies/allied health practices, some brief examples of how hypnotherapy can be utilised are given. However, these are illustrative, and there are many other potential uses for hypnotherapy alongside each type of therapeutic approach.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is growing in popularity with the public and within hospitals and healthcare facilities, particularly for use to alleviate anxiety, depression, dry mouth, fatigue, menopause symptoms, pain, pregnancy issues and sleep problems. It uses fine needles to stimulate nerves which causes a release of morphine-like substances (endorphins) and serotonin which promotes feelings of well being. The concept being that health problems can arise when energy (‘Qi’) becomes blocked. The acupuncture treatment is intended to unblock the energy channels and facilitate the usual flow of Qi. If a client or patient has a needle phobia, hypnotherapy can address that, enabling treatment to proceed. Perhaps the client or patient finds it difficult to stay still (needles left in place 10-30 minutes), possibly due to pain. Both rapid pain alleviation and time distortion (speed up perception of time) can make the treatment process more bearable.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy employs the use of essential oils (extracted from plants) to treat symptoms and achieve desired outcomes. Many people are accustomed to some of the most common oils, such as lavender and camomile (relaxing), grapefruit (uplifting), sage (mind clearing) and peppermint (good for digestion). It is considered that essential oils are absorbed through the skin into the body tissues or stimulate the sense of smell, triggering a reaction in the body and that these have resultant effects, including in the limbic system. For example, helping someone feel calm or energised, or promote good sleep. They can also have anti-inflammatory effects and help fight infections. Hypnotherapy can help a client reduce stress and anxiety prior to an aromatherapy session, so they are better able to engage in the session. In addition, the oils can be used together with hypnotic suggestions to boost the effects of both. For example, using a relaxing oil, whilst hypnotically suggesting physical and mental relaxation.
Art therapy
Art therapists use art as a way to work through emotional issues, particularly where, perhaps due to case complexity, the client may not be able to use their words to effectively express their feelings. The hypnotic phenomena of ‘automatic writing’ can be helpful here, connecting with the subconscious mind in hypnosis to give it an opportunity to communicate via pen (e.g. crayon or brush) and paper. This can help reduce critical interpretation and enable greater access to deeper emotions.
Chiropractic therapy
Chiropractic therapy can include both manual therapy approaches and lifestyle/self-care advice. It can be a popular therapy approach to address pain, especially back pain, headaches and tension. With treatment involving manipulation of the spine and other joints, hypnotherapy can help reduce any stress or anxiety at the start of the session (or during it) and help a patient or client better engage with the therapy process. Hypnotherapy can be particularly useful for the chiropractor to use, exploring whether there are any subconscious reasons (e.g. ‘secondary gains’) why a patient may not wish to let go of their pain and also engaging in mental rehearsal to ‘ecology check’ that lifestyle advice will be appropriate for the client to engage with beyond the therapy session.
Dieticians
Dieticians often work in healthcare settings (also see ‘nutritionists’), to assess and treat dietary and nutritional issues and promote good health. For example, working with someone who needs to lose weight prior to surgery, or manage a healthy diet after a serious illness. There may be a lack of desire to change and hypnotherapy can help boost motivation and connection to future benefits of losing weight (and consequences of doing the opposite).
Drama therapy
Drama therapy also works very well alongside hypnotherapy, as it uses role play and storytelling with clients to connect to their feelings, thought processes, behaviours and address personal issues. In particular, hypnotherapy can assist with role-playing, better utilising the powerful imagination to connect to situations more vividly and explore many different ways of responding and behaving.
Massage
Massage is an ancient therapy, with approaches ranging from strongly vigorous and firm, through to gentle and soft, together with the use of pressing, stroking (‘effleurage’), kneading (‘petrissage’) and tapping (‘tapotement’) movements. There are a number of different types of massage, including the most common ‘Swedish’ massage (full body, gentle to firm), deep tissue massage (deeper muscular attention), sports massage (sport preparation or rehabilitation) and shiatsu, which blends stretching and acupressure. Hypnotherapy can help to reduce stress and tension prior to the massage. However, it can also be used during the massage itself. For example, to manage discomfort during a deep tissue massage, or to connect the client to their imagination during a relaxation-focused massage.
Music therapy
Music therapists engage clients in live musical interactions to participate in a psychological therapy process to boost communication and emotional well-being. Like art therapy, music can help clients to express inner conflicts and emotions that they otherwise cannot find the words to convey. Hypnotherapy can be used to further connect a less auditory/sound-based individual to an auditory therapy medium. It can also help a client better engage with the deeper parts of their mind in hypnosis, by reducing critical interpretation.
Nutritionists
Nutritionists help clients to address illness and disease and enhance their health with diet and nutrition. They work with a belief that nutritional and biochemical imbalances in the body can lead to ill health. By restoring their nutritional balance, people can improve their general physical and mental health. Changes to lifestyle may not always be well received by clients. Hypnotherapy can help clients to understand and engage with their conscious and subconscious needs and how they can connect these to their goals and future actions. It can also be a superb tool in helping to motivate clients for positive change, by engaging in future pacing and connecting them to what their life would be like in the future with their new eating habits.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists will often work in healthcare settings and in the community, helping patients achieve everyday activities. For example, helping someone to cope with recovering from a major injury or illness or helping someone with a disability cope with adaptations to their lifestyle and living routines. Hypnotherapy can be used to address any unhelpful, limiting or negative beliefs or emotions and help transition clients to a positive mindset accommodating their limitations, yet optimising their opportunities to live a full life.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is another hands-on therapy, manipulating muscles and bones, to ease pain, reduce swelling and improve movement. It is perhaps most commonly associated with the treatment of pain. Osteopathy is increasingly being recognised within the medical profession and osteopaths may refer to themselves as primary healthcare practitioners, rather than complementary therapists. Hypnotherapy within the osteopathy session can help a patient to relax and feel more comfortable with the process. If they are finding it uncomfortable, then pain management and time distortion is helpful. It can also be great to use it for mental rehearsal to help engagement with self-care advice.
Paramedics
Paramedics have a highly responsible and responsive role, often being the first to arrive at an incident. They are trained to keep calm and focused in potentially high-stress and high distress situations. Hypnotic language and positively-phrased waking hypnosis suggestions can effectively calm and reassure anxious patients, which can also make it easier for the patient to focus and to communicate with the paramedic. Pain management suggestions can also be used to make travel to hospital more comfortable and calm, which further reduces distress for the patient.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy addresses physical issues affecting movement. It employs massage, exercise and a range of therapeutic tools and equipment. A common complaint by physiotherapists is the lack of client engagement with home care advice. Hypnotherapy can focus on beneficial goals and suggestions can be given to boost motivation. Furthermore, future pacing can be employed to help the client explore the best ways for them to engage with their home care programmes.
Reflexology
Reflexology is commonly experienced as a gentle pressure on the feet or hands. This pressure is designed to stimulate energy pathways within the body and promoting the body’s own healing process. It is most commonly associated with reducing stress and anxiety, relieving pain and boosting mood and well-being. Many people find this process to be relaxing. However, there are some who would benefit from this approach yet either dislike their feet or hands being touched or are hyper-sensitive. Hypnotherapy can be used to reduce the perception of sensation, or to transform the experienced sensation to a more acceptable sensation. It can also be employed to boost mental and physical relaxation during the session.
Reiki
Finally, Reiki is an energy therapy which can be experienced with the practitioner holding their hands on or above the patient’s body. It can be relaxing, reducing stress and tension and boosting well-being. There is some emerging evidence that it can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and for alleviating pain. Some clients may find it difficult to lay or be seated for 30-60 minutes, and hypnotherapy can speed up the perception of time and/or alter any sensations perceived as unpleasant. Furthermore, it can be effective at promoting the release of tension and blocks and connecting to a sense of inner peace and tranquillity.
So, as you can see, there are many different ways in which hypnotherapy can work with other complementary therapies and alternative healthcare practices, whether before, during or after treatment. Adding hypnotherapy to a complementary or allied health practitioner’s repertoire is becoming increasing popular, with an emphasis on holistically optimising mental and physical health and well-being. If you’d like to learn more about how hypnotherapy works, our ‘Hypnotherapy 101’ online course offers a fantastic introduction to anyone wanting to incorporate hypnotherapy into an existing therapy practice. Click here for more information:
We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog about integrating hypnotherapy with other complementary therapies, and if you have any more questions about this topic, or anything else for that matter, do please get in touch, because we’re always happy to help!
– written by Dr Kate Beaven-Marks
(Hypnosis-Courses.com Trainer)
