Resources

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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.

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.

 

The Opioid Epidemic

Drug overdoses are a leading cause of death in the US, and opioid abuse is considered a serious public health issue. [1] According to the US Centers for Disease Control, overdoses from prescription opioids are a driving factor in the increase of opioid deaths. [2] Opioids are intended for short-term use under careful medical monitoring because of the risks for unintentional overdose, addiction and death. [3]

After repeated use, people develop a tolerance of opioids and need higher doses of the drug for effectiveness. Opioid abuse desensitizes the brain’s natural opioid system and increases the risk of overdosing. [4]

Before accepting a prescription for an opiod medication, ask your doctor about alternative options for managing your pain that have lower risks and less devastating side effects. Some alternatives may include:

• Other, less addictive, medications
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Physical therapy and exercise
• Medications for depression and seizures [5]
• Hypnotism

See my blog post on Hypnotism for Managing Chronic Pain for information on non-medical alternatives, including hypnotism. The National Institutes of Health has determined that hypnotism is likely to be effective for most people suffering from pain. [6]

Hypnotism leverages the power of an individual’s own mind to manage pain and discomfort. This may allow a person to get by with less-hazardous basic pain medications, or greatly reduce their level of medication needed for living with chronic pain.

You can learn more about hypnotism at my website, http://www.soothehypnosis.com

[1] “The U.S. Opioid Epidemic,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/index.html (accessed August 2017)

[2] “Opioid Overdose, Understanding the Epidemic,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,   https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html (accessed August 2017)

[3] “Opioid Overdose, Guideline Information for Patients, Safer, More effective Pain Management,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/patients.html (accessed August 2017)

[4] Nora D. Volkow, MD, Testimony to Congress May 14, 2014, America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin, and Prescription Drug Abuse, National Institute on Drug Abuse, https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse (accessed August 1027)

[5] “Opioid Overdose, Guideline Information for Patients, Safer, More effective Pain Management, Non-opioid Options,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/patients.html (accessed August 2017)

[6] 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 RonnyK on Pixabay.