Research shows that various hypnotherapy techniques can be effectively used to treat hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). It has been discovered that the intervention can help reduce anxiety, depression and stress. Its effects can also regulate and reduce blood pressure and improve patients’ quality of life. Thus, hypnosis can also be adopted as an alternative intervention in the treatment of patients with secondary and essential hypertension.
In a research study conducted by Holdevici & Crăciun (2013) to examine the efficacy of Ericksonian hypnosis therapy in helping ameliorate the symptoms of hypertension, the researchers found that this type of intervention can help in the treatment of patients with secondary and essential hypertension. Patients who participated in this study were involved in between 12 and 16 sessions of the intervention, which lasted for around 6 or 8 months. The Ericksonian technique of the therapy was administered by therapists who had adequate training on the procedure.
Some of the activities of this method ranged from teaching patients breathing techniques as well as engaging them in exercises aimed at deepening the hypnotic trance. The breathing techniques were meant to help them relieve anxiety, tension and nervousness. Patients also learnt relaxation skills to help them enjoy calmness to relax their bodies. The remaining phases of this intervention involved post hypnotic activities that were designed for every patient in accordance with their individual needs. These included story telling as a method of monitoring and ameliorating blood pressure, and promoting mental and physical health.
After participating in the intervention, these patients reported reduced stress levels, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the patients also reported improved quality of life and normal blood pressure. According to the researchers, the findings of this study are in line with previous studies that also found a positive relationship between hypertension and hypnotherapy (Holdevici & Crăciun, 2013).
Similarly, Gay (2007) investigated whether a controlled hypnosis therapy can reduce mild essential hypnosis. The researchers conducted an experimental study in which the participants were taken through an eight-session hypnotherapy. The researchers also investigated whether the effectiveness of hypnosis depends on individual differences in mental imagery and hypnotic susceptibility. Thus, they used different tests to study an individual’s response to hypnotic suggestions and to evaluate participants’ imagery skills both in a hypnotic and standard conditions.
The treatment process included sessions that comprised of relaxation and memory exercises that lasted for about five minutes for each of them. The memory sessions were accompanied by exercises that evoked images of general well-being. The images were also linked to blood pressure regulation. The patients were then taken through self-hypnosis activities at the end of each of these sessions. They were also encouraged to practice self-hypnosis at home for about thirty minutes to one hour.
The study revealed that hypnosis is an effective therapy in the treatment of hypertension since the blood pressure of the patients who participated remained considerably lower after the therapy. The reduction in blood pressure was maintained for all the patients even after one year when a follow-up study was conducted. Hypnosis reduced the patients’ anxiety levels to a great extent. It was also found that personality factors do not have any significant effect on an individual’s response to the therapy. This is in line with several studies that have since found no direct relationship between response to therapy and imagery ability.
These studies confirm that hypnotherapeutic intervention procedures can as well help in ameliorating hypertension besides other health conditions. Patients with hypertension can be taken through sessions of various therapeutic activities meant to reduce stress levels and anxiety, regulate blood pressure and improve quality of life.
References
Gay, M. C. (2007). Effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing mild essential hypertension: A one-year follow-up. Intl. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 67-83.
Holdevici, I., & Crăciun, B. (2013). The role of Ericksonian Hypnosis in reducing essential and secondary hypertension. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 78, 461-465.
Melvin S. Marsh is a certified hypnotherapist serving Atlanta GA, Aiken SC, Augusta GA, Blairsville GA, and Cary NC. He performs hypnotherapy appointments both in person and worldwide virtually. He can be reached at www.afterhourshypnotherapy.com .
