Self-Hypnosis for Headaches

Self-hypnosis training in children and adolescents may result in significant improvement of chronic headaches, a new study reports.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota investigated the effect of treatment with self-hypnosis for youth with recurrent headaches in a retrospective review. The review included the outpatient clinical records of 178 consecutive youth referred to the Behavioral Pediatrics Program (University of Minnesota) from 1988 to 2001 for recurrent headaches.

All patients were taught self-hypnosis for self-regulation. Intensity, frequency and duration of headaches before, during and after treatment were measured. Outcomes included number and frequency of visits, types of medication and nature of self-hypnosis practice.

The study found that compared with self-reports before learning self-hypnosis, children and youth who learned self-hypnosis for recurrent headaches reported reduction in frequency of headache from an average of 4.5 per week to 1.4 per week, reduction in intensity (on a self-rating scale of 0 to 12) from an average of 10.3 to 4.7 and reduction in average duration from 23.6 hours to 3.0 hours. No adverse effects of self-hypnosis were reported.

The study authors concluded that training in self-hypnosis is associated with significant improvement of chronic recurrent headaches in children and adolescents.

The term hypnosis is derived from the Greek word hypnos, meaning sleep. The origin of modern Western hypnotherapy is often traced to the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). Mesmer believed that illness is caused by an imbalance of magnetic fluids in the body that can be corrected through "animal magnetism." He asserted that the hypnotist's own personal magnetism can be transferred to a patient. The term "mesmerize" is derived from Mesmer's name.

In the mid 20th Century, the British and American Medical Associations and the American Psychological Association endorsed hypnosis as a medical procedure. In 1995, the U.S. National Institutes of Health issued a consensus statement noting the scientific evidence in favor of the use of hypnosis for chronic pain, particularly pain associated with cancer.

Several studies report improvements in severity and frequency of tension headaches following several weekly hypnosis sessions. Early research suggests that hypnosis may be equivalent to other relaxation techniques, biofeedback or autogenic training.

Other integrative therapies with good scientific evidence in the treatment of headaches include 5-HTP, butterbur, chiropractic, spinal manipulative therapy, feverfew, guided imagery and peppermint oil.

For more information on hypnosis or the other therapies mentioned above, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Comments

[Emily P.]

I’m curious as to what methods are involved in self-hypnosis. After all, how do you consciously hypnotize yourself into a state of unconsciousness?

[Emily Martin]

At what age can children begin to practice self-hypnosis? Has anybody tried teaching self-hypnosis to teenagers with ADD? What does self-regulation mean?

[D. Martin]

Self-hypnosis is great tool to help oneself relax, slow down and stabilize during physically or emotionally stressful times. Its benefits go way beyond getting rid of an ache or pain. I think self-hypnosis is a wonderful thing to teach children, whether they suffer from headaches or not. Perhaps, having mastered an effective method of dealing with physical/emotional consequences of stress and discomfort, these children will be less inclined to look outward for potentially harmful substances or methods of self-medication as they mature into adults.

[MV]

I am not sure what self-hypnosis entails, but I feel that any type of mental exercise in which you are forcing your mind to relax should be a beneficial way to relieve pain. Is this similar to how biofeedback therapy helps migraines?

[Danielle TC]

In response to MV - I do not believe that this is similar to biofeedback. Biofeedback involves a lot of high-tech equipment. From what I understand, this study is referring to a much simpler mind-over-matter, hypnosis-type technique. I.e. I'm not going to let this pain overcome me so I will just keep thinking positive thoughts until I no longer recognize the pain.

I think that D. Martin is right - this is a wonderful tool for people of all ages. And it all starts with positive thinking and a "can do" attitude.

[Paul]

Pain and headaches are such difficult things to deal with, since no one but the patient can measure it. The body does have some great systems for pain relief though, and it's great to see ways to tap into that. Self-hypnosis seems to just tie in with everything else dealing with relaxation for dealing with chronic pain and headaches. All this, and no side effects too! I wonder if the researchers ever looked at the triggers for headaches. I can see this being especially effective for stress headaches, and what youth isn't under all sorts of pressure and stress from trying to fit in or deal with their parents.

[Stella]

I have heard a lot of success stories from people who perform self-hypnosis and have been able to control pain or stop smoking. I like the idea that it is created by the person who is ultimately going to benefit from its use.

[J.W.]

Has anyone tried the Head On stuff that you apply to the forehead? Part of me is hesitant to buy their product just because their commercials are so irritating. But I wonder if it actually works.

[Anonymous]

I would really like to know the methods used to treat recurrent headaches in youths. It would be nice to treat a problem that you can control on your own, without taking medications. It is always good to avoid experiencing any side effects from medications while trying to treat a problem. And if the problem can be treated via other methods, then that would be great!

[dmartin]

I have never had much luck with self hypnosis. From what I can tell from the workshops I have taken, it is basically the same thing as deep relaxation, which is something I have a hard time with. I simply cannot get my head into the "tuned out," totally relaxed place! Sure, I can get to a place where my breathing is deeper and more even, my thoughts are slower, and I am more relaxed, but certainly not enough to shed a pounding migraine!

Anyone have any tips or ideas on methods that can help a tightly wound individual achieve a true state of self hypnosis (aka deep relaxation)?

[S. Lyon]

Has anyone tried magnet therapy for headaches? My friend was talking about it because she suffers from frequent headaches but doesn't like taking medication all the time. I wonder if it's actually effective?

[Lucy]

I wonder if self-hypnosis would work for different types of headaches. If I skip coffee in the morning, I get a wicked headache that is almost impossible to get rid of...even if I take extra-strength ibuprofen.

[Self Hypnosis]

Hypnosis is so easy and powerful beyond our imagination.

[Brian David Phillips]

More information about hypnosis is available at: http://www.all-about-hypnosis.info

[Paul Clinton]

This is a great blog, please keep posting. Hypnosis is a fascinating subject. I prefer self hypnosis rather than a personal session because I can relax at home and listen to the mp3 whenever I have time and whenever I need to.

There is a Web site called free-self-hypnosis.org, which has a lot of free hypnosis downloads. These particular sessions have many induction techniques and also include binaural beats,isochronic pulses and a shamanic rhythm, so the trance induction is fast and powerful.

Hypnosis is a condition in which most people that are induced can have different and variable thoughts and actions, so some people are very susceptible to suggestion and can reach a deep trance altered state of consciousness. Hypnosis is very normal and a natural altered state of awareness one we all experience in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused on something, or becoming really absorbed while watching a TV show or movie. Some people ask if they've really been hypnotized, just because it feels like such a normal state. http://www.free-self-hypnosis.org

[Self Hypnosis Mp3 Audio]

Self-hypnosis is effective, I say so because I was cured by it. My alcoholism was lessened, and eventually I got rid of it because of self-hypnosis.

[Keith "The hypnosis guy" Livingston]

Emily,
Hypnosis is not unconsciousness. It sometimes involves a narrowing of attention, but that would include more awareness in the area the attention was focused.

Danielle,
Self-hypnosis is a lot different from positive thinking (IMO). It's not just about wishing yourself better, but it's also about gaining access to your internal resources that you usually don't have conscious access to.