Autoimmune disorders are the result of a malfunction in the systems that keep us fighting off infections. Hypnotherapy is often used to boost and target the immune system. In some cases, recovery is possible. In most cases, the hypnosis just helps to make your other treatments more effective. Usually deep trance is required for substantial positive effects on the immune system.
Cancer therapy often involves radiation and chemotherapy. Hypnosis can some times help those treatments affect only the cancer cells by strengthening the resistance of the healthy cells in the region of the cancer. It has been shown to help avoid nausea and vomiting that may come with those treatments. It can help control the sensations of pain and other discomfort. It can also help with the fear and anxiety that come with a life-threatening diagnosis.
Number of sessions depends on your goals. Pain and nausea control ordinarily can be achieved in 3-6 sessions. Stress and fear associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment requires a similar range of sessions. Imagery for targeting cancer cells may improve health by inducing a sense of control over the course of the disease, but for actual relief of symptoms, deep trance is required, and you can be evaluated in the first session for that. Consultation with your doctor is highly recommended so that I can get good feedback on what's working and what's not.
Treatments for HIV and AIDS can also be difficult to tolerate on occasion. The rashes and digestive disorders are treatable with hypnosis, as well as any pain and neuropathy. Some times AIDS patients need help with sleep, diet, and exercise. And often depression and fear can be alleviated with hypnotherapy.
There is interesting research underway at Roehampton University in the UK and at the Department of Neurology at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine, both of which are using hypnosis to improve HIV/AIDS patients symptom management. The UK research is measuring HIV-positive volunteers' recovery from a flu vaccine after a course of trance training. The Mount Sinai research is studying relief from HIV-related neuropathy using hypnotherapy.
Again, your goals and depth of trance can affect the length of your hypnotherapy experience. For some idea, you may want to look at sections on specific side effects and problems. And consultation with your doctor is strongly recommended for my feedback and any changes in medication that may be required during testing of hypnotic effects.
Diabetes has two major expressions: Type 1 Diabetes (previously called juvenile-onset diabetes) and Type 2 Diabetes (previously called adult-onset diabetes). There is a suggestion in case studies and research that hypnosis can at least help diabetes patients with compliance issues (e.g., diet, exercise, monitoring). With sufficiently deep trance, there is evidence that patients can decrease their reliance on medications, seemingly regaining normal or nearly normal pancreatic (glucose) function.
As research using hypnotherapy on blood sugar regulation is hard to find, I am offering two options for diabetes treatment. If you have more money than time, I would recommend inquiring about becoming a client. If you have more time than money, I would recommend inquiring about becoming a volunteer research subject. Treatments as part of the study are free, but filling out questionnaires, keeping logs, and coming back for regular followup sessions are all required.
For clients, 3-6 sessions are common, and deep trance seems to be necessary for learning to control blood glucose levels. Consultation with your doctor is recommended.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a new area of exploration in my medical hypnosis practice, but since the causes seem to be autoimmune, it seemed worthy of investigation. At the very least, I can probably help with pain control.
In searching for experimental evidence of hypnotherapy affecting the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, I received a note from Bryan M. Bennett, a researcher at the University of Wales at Bangor (UK). It reads in part:
You would probably be more interested in the results of my
second study. The patients in the second study have active
rheumatoid arthritis. I take blood before and after
[treatment with hypnotherapy] and look at Erythrocyte Sedimentation
Rate and c-reactive protein as well as overall disease activity
score. These are case studies and those completed so far show
interesting results in terms or biological parameters.
Pain control can usually be taught in 3-6 sessions. Deep trance is likely to be necessary for more serious symptom relief, and your ability to achieve that can likely be evaluated in your first session. Consultation with your doctor is recommended, primarily for feedback.