an A-Z of alternative therapies

Both the British Medical Association and the American Medical Association have tentatively defined hypnosis in part as "a temporary condition of altered attention in the subject that may be induced by another person".

Although the condition resembles normal sleep, scientists have found that the brain-wave patterns of hypnotised subjects are much closer to the patterns of deep relaxation.

Rather than being a psychic or mystical phenomenon, hypnosis is now generally viewed as a form of attentive, receptive, highly focused concentration in which external or peripheral events are omitted or disregarded.

Hypnosis has moved away from earlier associations with quackery and gained respect within the medical establishment. Despite being tainted by the exploits of showmen, hypnotherapy is supported by more scientific evidence than any other complementary therapy.

Hypnosis is a tool for reaching and dealing with problems of the mind and body. In the hypnotised state, emotional problems can be addressed and resolved and body functions can be improved to restore normal activity. There is evidence that hormonal problems, respiration, heart rate, circulatory and digestive activity can be influenced by hypnosis, and many people find they can cut off completely from sensations of pain.

Hypnotherapists believe the mind has the power to create any disease known to man - and the power to cure it by activating the healing and repair mechanism which is controlled by the subconscious mind.

Hypnotherapists reach the subconscious by inducing a trance in the subject, which can be light, medium or deep.

Hypnohealing is aimed at healing pathological disease. The therapist helps you uncover the cause of your illness and, through visualisation, encourages you to release it.

At the first session, the practitioner asks you about your physical and mental health and your motivation to solve any problem.

Hypnosis may not begin until the second session.

There are several different schools of hypnotherapy:

• Classical Induction - You lie on a reclining chair or couch and the practitioner talks to you in a slow, soothing voice. You may be asked to visualise a walk down a country road, to stare at a light or pencil, or to listen to a series of monotonous statements. The practitioner will usually suggest you feel heavy and relaxed and that your eyes are closing. To take you deeper the hypnotherapist may count down from ten to zero or ask you to imagine descending in a lift. You will feel as if you are in a relaxed daydream, but still be aware of your surroundings.
• Ericksonian hypnotherapy - This tends not to use the classical induction techniques, preferring to use suggestions during the everyday trance of a patient's daydreams and imagination.
• Suggestion hypnotherapy - This is often used to treat addictions. The practitioner tries to implant positive suggestions that, for example, a symptom will disappear or a behaviour pattern will change
• Analytical hypnotherapy - A practitioner trained in this approach will regress you by asking you to recall any buried memories or emotions that might be at the root of your problems.
• Past life hypnotherapy - as analytical hypnotherapy, but the regression is to the root of a problem in a past life, that may be inappropriately impacting on the current life.

None reported.

Sessions are usually 1 hour, once a week.

Some treatments are effective after 1 or 2 sessions. Others require up to 15 or 20 sessions.

• It is vital to choose a trustworthy, qualified practitioner.
• You should choose a practitioner that you feel drawn to and at ease with, one with whom you can establish a rapport.
• Avoid hypnotherapy if you have severe depression, psychosis or epilepsy.