Can pain from surgery be relieved by hypnosis?
Yes. In fact, postoperatively, hypnosis can be inestimable value. For instance, when surgical patients wake up, they are often afraid to cough because of excessive pain, especially those having upper abdominal operations. The surgical patient can easily be trained to induce the “state” himself (self-hypnosis). Relaxation is enhanced, breathing can be regulated and the “cough reflex” can be eliminated. Self-hypnosis can be taught and then one can enter hypnosis quickly, eradicating the pain and accompanying fears.
