Fear of the Unknown

Fear of the unknown is a common human response spreading around the world as the pandemic travels the globe. This fight or flight response kept early humans safe while they evaluated a new potential threat, like a saber-toothed tiger or forest fire. Confronting an invisible virus that has spread around the world, however, leaves no option for fight or flee. This causes a person’s stress response to naturally build up a steady supply of cortisol that can lead to a host of problems such as weight gain, reliance on drugs, alcohol or tobacco products, irritability, poor sleep, pain or illness. No one needs these problems on top of the big challenges facing us in these unprecedented times.

Just as our physical bodies need strong core muscles to help us stand, move and leverage our strength, our minds need a strong spiritual core to respond effectively when faced with emotional challenges like fear and worry. This is what feeds the fortitude to know that we are up to facing whatever difficulties may come our way.

Athletes train hard to prepare their bodies to meet an opponent and turn the action in their favor. Similarly, we can build our spiritual core for resilience when facing emotional challenges. Here are three ways to strengthen your spiritual self:

• Meditate
• Pray
• Spend time in nature

Meditating regularly puts you in touch with your higher self, which you can then access more quickly in stressful times. Even 10 minutes of daily meditation has been shown to provide health benefits and resiliency increases with better health. It is easier to think of solutions when calm.

Having an active prayer life reinforces your connection with the Divine, reminding you that you are not alone in your darkest moments. We are all stronger emotionally when we know that we have support when facing troubles.

Being in nature puts things in perspective, reminding us that there are greater forces in the world than our human dramas. Both meditation and prayer can be combined with being in nature, where we are rejuvenated by the energy of the trees and plants around us. If your stress level is too high to even meditate or pray, simply stepping outside for a few minutes can restore some balance enough to then successfully pray or meditate.

People who meditate, pray or regularly spend time out in nature radiate a sense of calm that proactively diffuses many potential problems before they can negatively impact the individual. Much of this effect comes from an increased clarity of mind that results in clearer thinking, better decision making and taking more positive actions.

If you feel that fear of the unknown may be impacting your life, focus on strengthening your spiritual core to improve your resiliency. Reducing your automatic stress response leads to better health and an overall feeling of wellness.

Visit www.soothehypnosis.com to learn how hypnotism works and how it can complement your efforts to manage your fears, increase your resiliency and help you connect with your spiritual core.

Photo from Pixabay.

How Hypnosis Works

Photo by Diego Madrigal on Pexels.com

People often ask me “How does hypnotism work?”

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and the hypnotist serves as your guide, gently leading you through the process of keying into the power of your subconscious mind while you are in a relaxed and focused trance state. In this state, you can begin your desired changes in your life through positive suggestions and by releasing blocks that may be holding you back from reaching your goals. 

Initiating real change in life begins at the subconscious level, because the human mind has natural abilities to affect both the body and quality of life. The hypnotist works with your natural abilities to stimulate the positive body and life changes that you are looking for. In a hypnotism session, the hypnotist will place you into a trance, which is the state of hypnosis. This is simply a time of highly focused attention.

You may already have experienced being in a trance state without even knowing it if you:

• have ever been driving and suddenly realized that you don’t remember how to got to your location, 
• were startled when someone spoke to you while you were absorbed by watching television or reading a book, or   
• went “in the zone” while playing a sport, creating something or simply working.    

The difference in a hypnotism session is that you will intentionally be entering trance state in a controlled manner, in a safe area and with clear objectives for the session.

Modern science has identified a strong body and mind connection through which your beliefs and thoughts can positively, or negatively, affect your physical health and abilities. Hypnotism is an effective method for accessing your body/mind connection to create positive change in your life and well-being.

Your mind gives you what you focus on rather than what you may consciously say that you want. Your thoughts affect your emotions, which, in turn, affect your life.

Hypnotism helps you to change your thoughts to have a positive impact on your life. By learning how to focus on what you want, you can achieve your goals more easily. The choices that you make in life affect the quality and direction of your life.

The image that you hold in your mind has the strongest influence on the choices that you make. Your hypnotist guides you to create positive images in your mind that lead to better choices for achieving your goals.

The hypnotist teaches you how to leverage the power of your own imagination to help you create changes in your life. Your hypnotist will instruct you on how to apply your natural focus abilities to address specific objectives to improve the quality of your life.

To learn more about hypnotism and how it can help you, read my other blog articles and visit my website at https://soothehypnosis.com/ 

Resources

COVID UPDATES: If you are experiencing abuse, the CDC lists many support hotlines at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/abuse.html

Also, if you are a victim of human trafficking, you can get help at the Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or you can text “help” or “info” to 233733.

ORIGINAL POST: Here is a list of reference books, websites and videos that I sometimes recommend to my clients based on their needs. Most of these resources are available in electronic format, such as videos or eBooks. The books are available at the public library.

I will continue to add to this list as I find additional resources worth recommending.

Nutrition

Many clients want to improve their nutrition to address medical issues, eliminate/avoid inflammation, manage weight or just live a healthier lifestyle. Here are resources I have found helpful for different clients. I do not endorse any specific food plan over another, such as paleo vs. vegan. Each  person needs to find the best food plan for their individual health and life goals. Always check with you doctor before making significant changes to your food plan.

• Sugar Coated Documentary: film on Netflix or Vimeo. This film will make you rethink the roles of fat and sugar in a healthy diet. http://sugarcoateddoc.com/about-the-film/
• Minding Your Mitochondria TedX Talk by Dr. Terry Wahls available on You Tube. She covers the importance of good nutrition to preventing and improving the symptoms of illnesses, including autoimmune diseases. Her book, The Wahls Protocol is also available in audio version. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc
• Nutritionfacts.org, Dr. Michael Gregor’s website is full of evidence based nutrition information. His book, How Not to Die, is interesting, too. https://nutritionfacts.org/
• Grain Brain, the book for people who need to eat gluten free by Dr. David Perlmutter is available in audio format, too. His website has a wealth of nutrition information. https://www.drperlmutter.com/
• Wheat Belly is another book for people who need to eat gluten free, written by Dr. William Davis. His blog site has several informative posts. https://www.wheatbellyblog.com/
• Both the movie, Forks over Knives, available on Amazon and You Tube, and the website, provide information useful for people considering a plant based diet. https://www.forksoverknives.com/
• Kristina Carrillo-Bucarim has a cookbook and series of cheerful videos on raw vegan recipes. Many of her recipes even fit in nicely with other food plans. https://m.youtube.com/user/FullyRawKristina

Wellness and Pain Reduction

Many clients use hypnotism to support their medical care to improve wellness, or manage the symptoms of illness, injuries, pain or other physical problems.

• The book You are the Placebo, by Dr, Joe Dispenza, highlights your role in healing. There are some free online resources on his website. https://drjoedispenza.com/
• Louise Hay’s book, Heal Your Body is one of her classics. Her website offers many positive resources. https://www.louisehay.com/

Life and Spirituality

In a hypnotism session, I work directly with the client’s subconscious mind, which is why hypnotism is so effective at addressing general life issues and spirituality questions. Here are resources that I recommend to clients for a variety of topics.

• The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle’s book on mindfulness and the importance of living in the moment is helpful for people dealing with stress and problems. His website includes additional resources. https://www.eckharttolle.com/
• I recommend The Brain, by Dr. David Eagleman, for clients working on issues related to their worldview. When we change our mind, our perception changes along with our reality. His videos are online at PBS. https://www.pbs.org/show/brain-david-eagleman/ Read more about Dr. Eagleman on his website. https://www.eagleman.com/
• For clients who are terribly stressed out from listening, and believing, all of the over-reactive reporting in the news media, I recommend the book The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley. He has some interesting blog articles, too. http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/
• For scientific minded clients going through a spiritual struggle, I recommend The God Theory, written by Bernard Haisch. Here is the link to his webpage. http://www.thegodtheory.com/ He has a number of videos on You Tube.
• The Magic Path of Intuition is a sweet little book by Florence Scovel Shinn that encourages people to trust their own intuition.
• For pragmatic clients learning to trust their intuition, I recommend Gavin de Becker’s book The Gift of Fear. He also has You Tube Videos available on a variety of related topics.
• Another classic Louise Hay book is You Can Heal Your Life. Her website offers many positive resources. https://www.louisehay.com/

What is your favorite book or video that has helped you overcome hurdles in life or make significant changes? Leave a comment and share it with us.

For more information on how hypnotism can help with all of the life changes mentioned in this article, check out some of my other blog postings and look at my Soothe Hypnosis website https://soothehypnosis.com/

Therapy Dogs

Here are two important team members at Soothe Hypnosis, Miya (on the left) and Kuai. They trained as therapy dogs working with Faithful Paws and enjoyed visiting residents at local nursing homes. When my elderly mother moved in with us, they turned their skills to helping her.

Kuai is especially sensitive and could tell when my mother was getting too tired. She would lead my mom to her bedroom to go to sleep. Interacting with the dogs, feeding them and taking them outside during the day got my mother up and about. It is easy for seniors to avoid moving because of the pain and stiffness from arthritis and other medical problems. Taking care of a pet helps them to overcome the pain and move their body, which helps them to maintain a greater degree of independence.

Kuai and Miya help at Soothe Hypnosis by bringing their soothing energy to the job each day. They snuggle with visitors who are dealing with high stress or extreme worry. Their calming energy helps these clients to settle down before a session so that the hypnotism work we do is more effective. They do not stay for the session, though. As Chinese Crested Powder Puffs, they are hypoallergenic dogs, so they can work with clients who have allergies.

Here are the differences between Service, Therapy, Companion, Rescue, and Working Dogs:

• Service Dogs are trained to perform a service for someone with a disability. They may pull a wheelchair, turn on lights, open doors, or alert their human prior to a seizure or insulin reaction.
• Therapy Dogs are trained to bring comfort to people other than their handler, such as in hospitals, nursing homes and special education settings.
• Emotional Support Dogs provide a comforting presence for their owner, who experiences mental illness or psychological distress.
• Rescue dogs are the heroes that we see on television after disasters. They are trained to find lost people or those trapped under rubble after disasters.
• Working Dogs have a job, such as rounding up cattle on a ranch or guarding a flock of sheep from predators. They contribute to the economic prosperity of the family.
• Companion Animals are pets. Studies have shown that having a pet dog is good for humans. They help to reduce blood pressure, have an overall calming effect and even get us out and moving, because dogs need to be walked.

If you don’t have a pet, and are feeling stressed, visit a friend or neighbor and borrow their dog for awhile. Both you and the dog will enjoy some cuddle time, going for a walk or just playing ball. 

Dogs have an innate ability to pick up on emotions and emotional changes in their humans. This may be because humans and dogs have a long history together. They were the first animal to be domesticated, between 12 – 15 thousand years ago. 

If you are thinking about getting a dog, do your research! Different breeds have different traits. Some will love to go running with you every morning, while others are happier with a short walk and a snuggle on the sofa. Just like with people relationships, the human/dog relationship is best when both personalities are a good fit. Dogs, like people, have their own personality. (Both of our dogs are Chinese Cresteds and share some similar traits, yet Kuai is very shy and introverted while Mia has never met a stranger.) The key to a successful relationship is to get a dog that is well suited to your lifestyle and personality.

Check with local rescues; they can help look for a dog that matches your lifestyle. Maybe consider fostering a shelter dog first, if having a dog is new to you. Getting a dog is a long-term commitment of both your attention and your money. You can’t just get a puppy and expect it to grow up into a well-behaved adult with only minimal contact outside in the yard during feeding time.

Having a dog in your life can be very rewarding, if you approach it right.

Remember, Change can be Soothing.

Hypnotism for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is called a silent killer because people are often unaware that they have this condition until after medical problems begin. This is why it is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. While your medical provider will check your blood pressure at each visit, you can monitor it for yourself between appointments. Many major drug store chains have blood pressure check stations near their pharmacy or you can purchase a small monitor for regular use at home.

High blood pressure should never be ignored because it can lead to serious health problems, including:

1. Damage to your arteries or aneurysms
2. Damage to your heart, including coronary artery disease or heart failure
3. Damage to your brain, such as strokes or dementia
4. Damage to your kidneys or kidney failure
5. Damage to your eyes in the retina, blood vessels or nerves
6. Sexual dysfunction
7. Bone loss
8. Trouble sleeping. [1]

Many people who are diagnosed with high blood pressure will be prescribed medication. Hypnotism has been proven to have a positive effect on high blood pressure in addition to medical treatment.

A study conducted at the University of Paris demonstrated that hypnotism is effective in reducing blood pressure in the short, medium and long terms. [2] Another study, conducted at the University of Tennessee, found that combining hypnotism with psychotherapy produced a significant positive impact on high blood pressure over using medication alone. [3]

The Mayo Clinic lists 10 lifestyle changes that can lower your blood pressure:

1. Lose weight and reduce your waist measurement
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
5. Limit alcohol consumption
6. Quit smoking
7. Cut back on caffeine
8. Reduce your stress
9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and see your doctor regularly
10. Get support from family and friends. [4]

The good news is that hypnotism can help with making each of these lifestyle changes listed above. You can read about using hypnotism to lose weight and quit smoking in some of my other blog articles.

If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you and make the lifestyle changes that will improve your health. Visit www.soothehypnosis.com to learn how hypnotism works and how it can complement your efforts to manage your high blood pressure.

#SootheHypnosis; #Hypnosis; #HypnosisforHighBloodPressure; #HighBloodPressure

[1] Mayo Clinic Staff, High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body, Mayo Clinic Patient Care and Health Info, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868 (accessed May 2018)

[2] Gay MC¹. Effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing mild essential hypertension: a one-year follow-up. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17135064 (accessed May 2018)

[3] Borckardt JJ¹. Case study examining the efficacy of a multi-modal psychotherapeutic intervention for hypertension. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11939278 (accessed May 2018)

[4] Mayo Clinic Staff, 10 ways to control high blood pressure without using medication, Mayo Clinic Patient Care and Health Info, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20046974 (accessed May 2018)

Photo courtesy of raw pixel at Pixabay.

Overcome Fear of Dentists

Fear of dentists, dental procedures or dental offices is fairly common and the causes of this fear varies. Some common sources of the fear of dentists are:

• an unpleasant experience in a dental chair,
• memories of toothache pain,
• fear passed on to them as a child by a respected adult who had the fear,
• being frightened as a child by older siblings or friends, or
• a feeling of helplessness that they experience by not being able to speak while getting dental care.

Many people who are afraid of dentists tend to avoid regular dental cleanings and checkups  and delay dental procedures. Delaying necessary procedures can lead to these results:

• dental problems at a later date that may need more substantial, costly and less comfortable procedures,
• cavities and other problems, or even
• health or heart problems caused by an excessive buildup of tooth bacteria.

Hypnotism can be a valuable technique in reducing dental pain and fear. [1] Hypnotism helps by restructuring negative thinking towards more positive expectations from treatment. [2] A skilled hypnotist can help an individual to release the old fear and replace it with a mindset of partnering with the dentist to achieve good dental health.

In light of the current opioid addiction crisis, many people who, in the past, requested an anti-anxiety prescription for dealing with their fear for a dental visit are looking for alternative non- chemical approaches. Studies have shown hypnotism to be a powerful non-pharmacological tool in dentistry. Drugs provide only a temporary solution for a single procedure. Hypnotism can help to reduce patients’ fears while decreasing the doses for sedatives and analgesic drugs when these are needed. [3]

Fear of dentists and dental procedures is fairly common and may lead to a delay of accessing timely dental care, which can result in needing more substantial and costly procedures at a later date. Hypnotism has been proven to be an effective natural approach to reducing this fear without any of the side effects caused by anti-anxiety drugs nor the risk of addiction posed by some pain medications.

For more information on how hypnotism works, visit our website at https://soothehypnosis.com/

[1] Willemstad, R, H Hypnosis techniques used to diminish anxiety and fear: review of the literature, Rev Belgae Med Dent, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12899047 (accessed March 2018)

[2] Moore, R, Dental fear – relevant clinical methods of treatment, Tandlaegebladet, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2377967 (accessed March 2018)

[3] Franco, E, Zanette, G, Castilian, E, The role of hypnotherapy in dentistry, SAAD Dig, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24624516 (accessed March 2018)

Photo courtesy of oswaldoruiz on Pixabay.

 

Hypnotism for Weight Management

Weight loss is a journey that can take you to a place of better health and self-image. Depending on the amount of weight that you need to shed, this process may take weeks, months, or even a couple of years. The important point to remember is that healthy weight loss takes time if it is to become permanent.

If you want to lose weight successfully, approach the process methodically. This means developing a sound plan of action and asking positive people to be part of  your support team to cheer you on. Now is the time to surround yourself with individuals who believe in you and are willing to contribute to a winning environment for you.

Creating a winning environment includes:

• Choosing a healthy diet that meets your nutrition and medical requirements while including as many of your favorite flavors as possible
• Purging your house of edibles that are not on your chosen food plan
• Meeting friends at locations that do not have many “bad” food temptations, such as a tea house, the dog park, or museums
• Focusing on family activities that involve movement rather than eating, such as riding bicycles, going for a walk, and visiting a park to take photos or to feed the ducks
• Avoiding negative people who like to destroy other people’s dreams and throw up roadblocks to your success
• Filling your time with interesting activities that you find fulfilling like pursuing a hobby or volunteering in your community.

It is equally important to be sure that you are not subconsciously sabotaging your efforts. Hypnotism is a great way to align your conscious and subconscious mind to keep you moving towards success in your weight loss efforts.

Scientific studies have shown that hypnotism is an effective adjunct to behavioral weight management. One study compared the success rate of subjects in a weight management program that included hypnotism against subjects in a similar program that did not include hypnotism. The subjects in the treatment plan that included hypnotism showed significant additional weight loss. In a 2-year follow-up, more of the subjects who had received hypnotism achieved and maintained their goal weight. [1]

A meta analysis of the scientific literature on this topic revealed that the inclusion of hypnotism with cognitive behavioral treatments for weight loss showed a substantial increase of the benefits of hypnotism over time. The average weight loss in the group that received hypnotism was 97% higher than the average weight loss without hypnotism at the initial assessment, and  147% higher at the last assessment, compared to the subjects who did not receive hypnotism. [2]

A study of 100 women who participated in a hypnotism-based program achieved significant weight loss and decrease in Body Mass Index. [3] Another study of 172 overweight adult women resulted in the hypnotism subjects achieving significant weight loss. [4]

The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis reported that weight loss through hypnotism is most effective when taking a multi-pronged approach that covers the amounts and types of foods eaten, increasing self-acceptance, mental imagery, and self-hypnosis among other aspects. [5]

The Soothe Hypnosis adjunctive weight management approach addresses all of the aspects of weight loss and maintenance, including :

1. Self-acceptance and self-love
2. Love and forgiveness of others
3. Positive body image
4. Healing, health and wellbeing
5. Stress reduction
6. Delighting in physical activity
7. Enjoying nutritious whole foods
8. Setting and achieving goals
9. Client-defined success and prosperity
10. Living life to the fullest

For my clients who are under the care of a physician or mental health professional for their weight loss, I maintain communication with their health provider to align our hypnotism sessions to best augment their physical or mental health treatments.

For more information on hypnotism visit http://www.soothehypnosis.com.

[1] DN. Bolocofsky, D. Spinler, and L. Coulthard-Morris, Effective Hypnosis as an adjunct to Behavioral Weight Management, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3973038 (accessed December 2017)

[2] I. Kirsch, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Hypnotic Enhancement of Cognitive-Behavioral Weight Loss Treatments – another Meta-reanalysis US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/8698945 (accessed 2017)

[3] DL Johnson, Weight Loss for Women: Studies of Smokers and Non-smokers Using Hypnosis and Mulit-component Treatments with and without Overt Aversion, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/9198396 (accessed December 2017)

[4] DL Johnson, RT Karkut, Participation in Multicomponent Hypnosis Treatment Programs for Women’s Weight Loss with and without Overt Aversion, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/8909095 (accessed December 2017)

[5] HE Stanton, PhD, Weight Loss through Hypnosis, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Volume 18, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00029157.1975.10403768 (accessed December 2017)

Photo courtesy of dbreen on Pixabay.

 

 

 

 

Destress After a Disaster

I originally wrote this post shortly after Hurricane Harvey impacted Texas and Louisiana. Unfortunately, since then there have been many other natural disasters including wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, landslides and terrorist attacks around the world. My progressive relaxation referenced below is equally suitable for anyone recovering from the effects of these events.

Everyone in the wide path of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey, has been impacted. For some, the impact is more severe and may include the loss of loved ones, injuries, losing a home, job loss, or facing months of clean-up and renovation. First responders, emergency personnel and rescue volunteers worked long dangerous hours helping others trapped by rising flood waters. Recovery volunteers are working hard to help neighbors to salvage and rebuild.

We have all been emotionally affected by the storm, and stress levels are very high right now. With the immediacy of survival needs and the recovery effort, it may be hard to recognize the negative impact from stress in the aftermath of this disaster. Unfortunately, this is very visible out on the roadways. Houston area traffic normally has a certain level of craziness, yet many drivers are clearly more distracted and stressed right now.

It is important to release physical and emotional stress so that it does not lead to other problems. We perform our best work and make our best plans when our bodies and minds are not hindered by undue stress levels. Sometimes, we do not even realize how stressed we are until we begin to relax. To help people destress while recovering from the storm, I made a progressive relaxation recording for anyone who needs it.

This guided meditation recording is just under five minutes, so it will not interfere with your schedule. Take a few minutes during the day, or in the evening, to listen to this recording and release some of that stress so that you can tackle your recovery efforts with a clear mind and all of your physical energy.  My intention is to give you a few minutes of respite, so just sit back, or lay down, and listen.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS RECORDING WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING DANGEROUS MACHINERY!!! You may feel so relaxed after releasing all that pent-up stress that you might fall asleep.

You can access my Progressive Relaxation recording on the media page of my website https://soothehypnosis.com/media

If you found this resource helpful, you can find additional information at http://www.soothehypnosis.com

Photo courtesy of distel2610 on Pixabay.

 

 

Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai chi is described as meditation in motion and has proven mental and physical benefits. This ancient practice holds up well under the scrutiny of scientific study.

Harvard Medical School reports that Tai Chi supports the following physical aspects:

• balance
• coordination
• flexibility
• muscle strength
• stamina
• stress release and
• improved body awareness. [1]

This report goes on to say that people with physical conditions that cause pain, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and others, may be relieved by the regular practice of tai chi. [1]

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has several reports that support these benefits for reducing pain and increasing flexibility for people who suffer from fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis in the knees and elsewhere in the body. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The NIH has found statistically significant positive effects from tai chi on:

• balance
• reduction of falls
• hypertension
• cognitive performance
• obstructive pulmonary disease
• pain
• depression and
• muscle strength. [7] [8]

Although tai chi originated as a martial art form, it is usually taught in the US as a series of slow mindful movements coordinated with breathing. This combination of mindfulness, breathing and movement leads to;

• strengthening and stretching of muscles
• improved blood flow and
• body awareness. [7]

The New England Journal of Medicine has reported that tai chi can have positive effects on postural stability for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease. [9]

People who may have any of these, or other physical conditions, should check with a doctor before starting any new type of physical exercise, even the gentle art of tai chi.

If you live in the Houston, Texas area, you may be happy to learn that the Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society has been offering complimentary Zenobics tai chi classes to people in the community for over 30 years. This community service organization was founded by late Master Nguyen Cao Thanh and the classes are taught by volunteers. [10]

Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society tai chi classes are held at the following locations:

1. St. Vincent De Paul Family Center 6800 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77025.      Mondays 3:15-4:15 PM  and 4:15-5:45 PM
2. Bellaire Professional Building Lobby Atrium 6550 Mapleridge Rd Houston, Texas 77081 Mondays 6:00-7:30 PM
3. Sharpstown Community Center  6600 Harbor Town Dr. Houston, TX 77036 Tuesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
4. St. Anne Parish 2140 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77098                                               Wednesdays 5:15-6:45 PM

Their new class season begins in September. For more information, you can contact them at ThienSinhHoiZenobicsSociety@USA.com

Tai chi can bring many positive physical, mental and spiritual benefits to people who practice the movements regularly.

Check out some of my other blog posts on natural ways to reduce pain and to fall asleep easily. You can also find more information on pain management and stress reduction on my website at http://www.soothehypnosis.com

[1] “Tai Chi and Chronic Pain,” Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, https://www.health.harvard.edu/alternative-and-complementary-medicine/tai-chi-and-chronic-pain (accessed August 2017)

[2] Wang C, Schmid CH, Rones R, Kalish R, Yinh J, Goldenberg DL, Lee Y, McAlindon A, “A Randomized Trial of Fibromyalgia,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20818876 (accessed August 2017)

[3] Jones KD1, Sherman CA, Mist SD, Carson JW, Bennett RM, Li F, “A randomized controlled trial of 8-form Tai chi improves symptoms and functional mobility in fibromyalgia patients,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of  Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20818876 (accessed August 2017)

[4] Lee MS1, Pittler MH, Ernst E, “Tai Chi for Osteoarthritis: a Systemic Review,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of  Health,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17874172 (accessed August 2017)

[5]  Wang C1, Schmid CH, Hibberd PL, Kalish R, Roubenoff R, Rones R, McAlindon T, “Tai Chis is Effective in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of  Health,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19877092 (accessed August 2017)

[6] Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway MR, Miake-Lye IM, Beroes JM, Shanman R, Shekelle PG, “Evidence Map of Tai Chi,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of  Health,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25392900 (accessed August 2017)

[7] Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway MR, Miake-Lye IM, Beroes JM, Shanman R, Shekelle PG, “VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Reports,”  Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US); 2014 Sep.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK49060/ (accessed August 2017)

[8] Wang X1,2, Pi Y3, Chen B1, Chen P1, Liu Y4, Wang R4, Li X1, Zhu Y5, Yang Y6, Niu Z4, “Effect of Traditional Chinese Exercise on the Quality of Life and Depression for Chronic Diseases: a Meta-analysis of Randomised Trials,” US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26525282 (accessed August 2017)

[9] Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., Peter Harmer, Ph.D., M.P.H., Kathleen Fitzgerald, M.D., Elizabeth Eckstrom, M.D., M.P.H., Ronald Stock, M.D., Johnny Galver, P.T., Gianni Maddalozzo, Ph.D., and Sara S. Batya, M.D, “Tai Chi and Postural Stability in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease,” New England Journal of  Medicine  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1107911#t=article%20 (accessed August 2017)

[10] Duc Q Nguyen, “Master Nguyen Cao Thanh,” Thiền Sinh Hội Zenobics Society, http://thiensinhhoi.org/en/founder.html (accessed August 2017)

[11] https://www.soothehypnosis.com/

Photo courtesy of pcdazero on Pixabay.

Hypnotism for Managing Chronic Pain

The National Institutes for Health has determined that hypnotism is likely to be effective for most people suffering from chronic pain. In the research, hypnotism showed positive results when used as part of a treatment program for a number of psychological and medical conditions. [1]

In the course of their study on managing chronic pain, the researchers found that the use of hypnotism for pain relief was one of the most heavily researched topics. They discovered that the benefits of using hypnotism include altering the psychological components of the experience of pain, including severe pain. [1]

Their report states:

• Hypnotism was associated with better overall outcome after medical treatment
• Hypnotism was associated with greater physiological stability
• Surgeons and other health providers reported significantly higher degrees of satisfaction with their patients who had been hypnotized than with their other patients. [1]

This is good news because hypnotism is an easy and natural method for tapping into the body’s innate abilities to manage chronic pain.

Many strong pain medications can have serious side effects that may interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily activities such as driving, working, and studying. Some classes of pain medications, such as opioids, may lead to addiction or other medical problems.  See my blog post on The Opioid Epidemic for more information and links to references regarding this national tragedy.

The intentional “side effects” of hypnotism, however, can be quite positive. A trained competent hypnotist can work with an individual to increase self-confidence and effectiveness at performing these daily tasks of life in addition to reducing the severity of their client’s pain.

Research has proven that hypnotism can be an effective and natural adjunct to managing chronic pain.

You can read more about hypnotism at my website, https://www.soothehypnosis.com/

[1] Gary Elkins, Mark P. Jemsen, and David R. Patterson, Hypnotherapy for the Management of Chronic Pain, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752362/(accessed August 2017)

Photo courtesy of stevepb on Pixabay.