Handout Self Hypnosis Balloon Patient

8/10/2019 Handout Self Hypnosis Balloon Patient

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PATIENT HANDOUTUniversity of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine

www.fammed.wisc.edu/integrative

What is self-hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a process that increasescommunication between your mind and body. Inhypnosis your mind goes into a tranceadaydream-like state. You become more focusedand open to suggestion. There is no truth to the

popular myth that hypnosis causes you to losecontrol. In fact, the opposite is true. Hypnosiscan help you gain control over a specificcondition. You can do hypnosis by yourself orwith the help of books, videos, audiotapes or atrained therapist. But hypnosis cannot be donewithout your cooperation. Thus, all hypnosis isself-hypnosis.

How can self-hypnosis help me?

Focusing your attention during hypnosis allowsyou to use the close connection between your

mind and body for a specific goal. Self-hypnosiscan be used for many purposes. This handoutprovides information on using self-hypnosis torelieve abdominal pain.

What is a trance?

A trance is a heightened state of attentionwhere your body is more open to suggestion.Everyone has experienced trances many times.A daydream is one example. In a daydream youare aware of where you are and what you are

doing, but at the same time you are focused onthe experience in your minds eye. Beingabsorbed in a good movie is another exampleof a trance-like state. You become less awareof things around you and may respond to whatis happening on the screen. You might jump ifscared or cry if you feel bad for a character.

Yet, you are always in control. You can go getpopcorn if you wish.

How does hypnosis work?

A good movie and a hypnosis session work inmuch the same way. By becoming absorbed inthe movie or the session, you become lessaware of distractions. This allows you to bemore open to suggestion.

What is involved in self-hypnosis?

This handout will teach you a four-step process:

tailoring the session to meet your specificsituation

going into a trance

focusing your attention on a specific goal

coming out of the trance.

How can hypnosis be tailored to help methe most?

Hypnosis should focus on your own uniquebeliefs, interests, and needs. The more theprocess relates to your specific situation, themore helpful it will be.

If you work with a therapist or clinician, s/hemay ask questions to make the session

personal for you. These might include thefollowing or similar ones:

Name a favorite place where you feelcomfort and a sense of peace.

What is your favorite color?

What are some of your favorite activities?

Self-HypnosisBalloon Technique for Abdominal Pain


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PATIENT HANDOUT 2University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine


How can I start a trance?

There are many different ways to start a trance.Children can do this very easily, but adults oftenneed a little practice. It is helpful to use a triggerto tell the body it is time to relax and focus. Thefinger technique is one that is easy to do.

Finger technique to trigger trancePress the tips of your thumb and indexfinger together making the OK sign. Afterpressing firmly, take a deep breath and holdfor a count of five. Breathe out releasingyour fingers. This acts as a signal for your

body to relax and go into trance. You canuse it at any time for self-hypnosis.

You can use another exercise to help youbecome more relaxed and deepen the trance.

Imagine a staircase to become relaxedand deepen your trance.Imagine a beautiful staircase with ten steps.Slowly walk down the stairs to your favoriteplace. Use each step to help focus onrelaxing a different part of your body. Make

this exercise personal by filling in yourfavorite places or colors.

This may go something like this:

Imagine a beautiful {favorite color} staircasethat has ten steps. These ten steps lead toa peaceful and relaxing {favorite place}.Take a moment, then start countingbackwards from 10 to 1. After each stepfocus on a different part of your bodyallowing yourself to gently relax deeper and

deeper with each step.

As you start at the top of the staircase,release any tension or strain in your bodyeach time you breathe out.

10Relax your face and jaw letting yourtongue gently rest at the floor of yourmouth

9Relax your temples, eyes and eyelidsas you step down to [your favoriteplace].

8Relaxing the back of your neck andshoulders, simply letting go

7Relax your arms knowing that there isnothing for them to do

6Relax your chest, with each rise andfall of the breath

5Relax your abdomen setting themuscles free4Relax your pelvis allowing it to sink into

the chair3Relax your legs giving them the day off

with nothing to support2Relax your toes as you arrive at1

Exploring your favorite peaceful placeTake a few moments to explore your peacefulplace in your minds eye. This will allow your

trance to deepen. Involving all your senses willhelp you feel like you are really there.

What do you see.colors, objects? Do you smell anything? Do you hear anything? Do you feel comfortable here? When you

feel comfortable and safe, find a place tosettle down or sit.

How can I use the trance to help myself?

After you are in a daydream-like state, you can

use your focused attention to reduce abdominalpain.


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Balloon Technique for Abdominal Pain

To make this experience personal for you,identify:

What color best describes your pain?

What is your favorite color?Then follow the guidelines below.

Focus your attention on your pain, now imagineyour discomfort to be a large {insert pain color}balloon. Your discomfort is a large {pain color}balloon. Now imagine and watch this bright{pain color} balloon get smaller and smaller as itslowly loses air. Imagine the color of the balloonbeginning to lighten, slowly changing to a soft{insert favorite color} color, reducing in size. Asyou watch the balloon become smaller andsmaller you feel less and less discomfort. Theballoon gets smaller and you feel lessdiscomfort. You begin to feel better and better;

you feel better as you watch the balloon lose airand become smaller. Now watch the pale{favorite color} balloon become tiny and tiny,smaller and smaller. Shrinking to a small{favorite color} dot, a small {favorite color} dot.Now watch it simply disappear and when itdisappears you feel much, much better, youfeel better, more comfortable, you feel better,more comfortable. You feel completelycomfortable.

How should I come out of the trance?

You can reverse the process to become alertagain. In your minds eye, picture climbing backup the staircase. Feel the energy coming backinto your relaxed muscles.

In a moment you will climb the staircase,counting each step. Afterwards you will behappy that you have learned about self-

hypnosis. You will feel pleased because you

realize that you can visit this place when youwish, having the power to influence yourcondition when needed.

1As you proceed up the first step, allow theenergy to re-enter your body starting atyour toes

2And now allow it to flow up your legs3Into your pelvis as you feel it press into

the chair4Traveling to your abdomen, feel your body

come alive

5Take in this energy with each rise of thechest6As you feel it travel into your arms7Going up to the shoulders and neck8Into the temples, eyes and eyelids9Feel your tongue, jaw and the muscles of

the face energize and allow your eyes toopen when you are ready.

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How often should I do self-hypnosis?

You can use self-hypnosis as often as you

want. It is an art that takes time and practice forbest results.

What should I look for if I want to workwith a specialist?

There are many hypnotherapists who advertisetheir services. Choose one who is licensed in aclinical field (for example, medicine,psychology, social work, or dentistry) and whois certified by the American Society of ClinicalHypnosis (ASCH). The ASCH and the

American Psychotherapy & Medical HypnosisAssociation (APMHA) provide referrals toqualified practitioners. To contact ASCH, call(630) 980-4740 or go to the website:http://asch.net/referrals.asp . For APMHAsreferral service, go tohttp://apmha.com/hypnosishelp/wanthelp.html .

Note: first work with your health carepractitioner to make certain there is noknown cause for your abdominal pain.


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Summary of the hypnosis process:

1. Tailor the session to fit your own uniquecircumstances.

2. Go into a trance.

Finger release technique to trigger trance

Staircase technique to help withprogressive muscle relaxation anddeepening of trance.

3. Use the trance to reduce your abdominalpain.

4. Come out of the trance.

The information in this handout is for

general education. It is not meant to be usedby a patient alone. Please work with yourhealth care practitioner to use theinformation in the best way possible topromote your health and happiness.

This handout was created by David Rakel, MD,Asst. Professor & Director of the IntegrativeMedicine Program, Dept. of Family Medicine,University of Wisconsin-Madison. It wasadapted from Gurgevich, S. Self-HypnosisTechniques. In: Rakel DP (Ed) Integrative

Medicine, 2ndEdition. Philadelphia, PA: WBSaunders; 2007 and Rakel DP, Gurgevich S.Self-Hypnosis Techniques. In Rakel DP:Integrative Medicine. W.B. Saunders, 2003.

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Date created: July 2008

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Handout Self Hypnosis Balloon Patient