Monica Soderberg, a licensed specialist clinical social worker at Lawrence Mental Health Collective and Acumen Institute, works closely with local doctors and uses hypnotherapy to help patients with pain control.

Mystery, magic, quackery and downright silliness are all terms that have been used to describe hypnosis. Stories about stage hypnosis and movies with themes of mind control have created the illusion hypnosis is about losing control. Not true.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, hypnosis, conducted under the care of a trained therapist, is considered a safe complementary and alternative medical treatment for conditions like pain control, stress reduction, weight management, allergies and surgical preparation.

During hypnosis, our more analytical conscious mind goes into a deeply relaxed state and enables the nonanalytical subconscious mind to work toward releasing deep-seated fears and create opportunities for the body/mind to heal. Like other relaxation techniques, hypnosis lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and it changes certain types of brain wave activity.

It’s true you’re more relaxed and open to suggestion in this hypnotic state, but your free will remains intact. You don’t lose control; you’re just more highly focused and internally alert. The hypnotherapist works with you to help you gain more control over your behavior, emotions and well-being.

Costs vary from $90-$300, depending on the length of treatment.

Development of hypnosis

Ancient people and shamans have used trancelike states in healing ceremonies for centuries. Modern-day hypnosis had a shaky start. It’s associated with 18th century Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer, who believed many illnesses were caused by the body’s imbalanced magnetic fields. He used magnets and hypnotic techniques, including the swinging pocket watch, to re-balance the body. The medical community called his techniques unscientific and branded him a fraud.

Respectability was somewhat restored in the mid-1900s when psychiatrist Milton H. Erikson used hypnosis successfully and extensively in his practice. Details of his work have been circulated worldwide in many publications, including the American Journal of Psychiatry, American Medical Association and the British Journal of Medical Psychology. In 1958 the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the British Medical Association approved the use of hypnotherapy as a viable therapeutic tool in mainstream medicine. Since then it’s been used in a variety of settings but seemingly more widely by the Irish, United Kingdom and European medical profession.

In the 1950s and 60s, Irish surgeon Jack Gibson, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, used hypnosis in more than 4,000 procedures, including plastic surgery and amputations. A video “The Power of the Sub-conscious” shows him performing eye surgery on a patient using hypnosis instead of anesthetic. He inspired generations of Irish doctors to develop the use of hypnosis in surgery.

In the early ’90s, many hernia surgeries in U.K. hospitals were carried out successfully using hypnosis instead of anesthesia. In April 2006, colorectal surgeon Tom Hennigan performed a groin hernia surgery on live television with the patient under hypnosis. Studies in Europe suggest that using hypnosis instead of standard anesthetics in certain surgeries can speed recovery and reduce in-patient time.

Local practitioners

While hypnotherapy isn’t widely practiced in medical procedures in Kansas, it’s gaining popularity. Lawrence Memorial Hospital says it’s open to support the growing number of women who use hypnobirthing for a more natural labor, and Lawrence has several hypnotherapists.

Jim Kreider at Kansas University’s School of Social Welfare has practiced hypnotherapy for 35 years and offers training for clinicians. He’s used hypnosis in his private practice to treat hyperhidrosis, anxiety, depression, phobia, and to help people prepare for birthing and medical procedures.

“Hypnotherapy’s not a magical tool that changes people against their will,” he says. “It requires effort and participation from the person desiring to make changes.

“Although it’s no ‘silver bullet’ or ‘cure-all,’ it often helps access resources and parts of consciousness that are difficult to access in other ways.”

Licensed specialist clinical social worker Monica Soderberg at Lawrence Mental Health Collective and Acumen Institute works closely with local doctors and uses hypnotherapy to help patients with pain control.

She’s experienced the power of self-hypnosis first-hand when a large-bladed knife pierced her hand.

“I pulled the knife out, think I saw bone and nearly fainted,” she recalls.

“I applied ice, raised my hand above my head and aided my body’s healing process by visualizing the white blood cells rushing to the wound site. I focused on my breathing, kept it regular and calm to counteract shock and panic until the blood stopped gushing.”

She put on another compress, went to the doctor and only needed a bandage.

“It took some weeks for the swelling and bruising to clear, but I had no other after-effects where the knife went in,” she adds.

Stephen Griffeth, owner of Midwest Hypnotherapy, has been practicing hypnosis for 40 years. He’s certified with the International Association of Counselors and Therapists, and the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association. He says he’s helped people with various conditions, including phobias, panic attacks, sports performance, motivation and stress reduction. He offers a two-session smoking cessation program that includes a CD and follow-up support for a year if needed.

“Around 90 percent of clients kick the smoking habit for good,” he says.

“At the first session, I explain the elements of hypnosis, teach relaxation techniques and send them home with a tape to practice self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is a wonderful tool that helps people heal themselves and empowers them in all areas of their lives.”