Dear Health-Conscious Reader:
The University of Iowa took brain scans on pain suffers and found results that were remarkable.1 They could actually see the parts of the brain that experience pain shutting down. How did they do it? They used a technique that will surprise you.
The lead author of the study, an anesthesiologist, said he thinks this technique is approximately 65% – 70% effective against pain.
A panel of experts at the National Institutes of Health said the same thing. They found that this technique can fight pain of all kinds.2 I’m not just talking about headaches. The research revealed that it can work for painful conditions from chronic illness to irritable bowel syndrome.
Even mainstream media is on board. The Wall Street Journal said, “Numerous scientific studies have emerged in recent years showing that the [technique] can exert a real and powerful effect on the body.”3
I have some good news: You can teach yourself this technique with the right guidance, in the comfort of your own home. It’s medical hypnosis. It’s a scientifically proven way you can beat pain – without the dangerous side effects of pain medications.
Here’s just one example you can try at home. It’s based on an ancient form of breathing meditation from India called vipassana.
Get yourself into a comfortable position. It can be sitting in your favorite chair, on the sofa, even lying down in bed.
Make sure your environment is as quiet as possible. Turn off the TV or radio, have the kids go play outside-whatever it takes to create a peaceful, still atmosphere.
Close your eyes and begin gently focusing your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally, without trying to control it. Do this for about 5 minutes, so that your mind settles down a bit and your body feels relaxed.
Gently let your attention rest on the source of your physical pain, keeping your eyes closed. With each breath, focus gentle awareness on the place where the pain happens.
Now imagine breathing “into” that place. Allow your attention to rest in the area of the pain and breathe in with gentle awareness. You can even place your hand over the area.
Imagine your pain responding to your breathing by “opening up” and slowly disappearing. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes, however long is most comfortable for you.
Complete your meditation by bringing your awareness back to your breath for a minute or so and opening your eyes.
This is an effective way to change your experience of pain over time. You’re teaching your body to “relax” with the pain. This keeps it to a minimum. I know it sounds funny, but you’ll see real results if you stick to it.
I learned this technique from a medical hypnosis expert named Dr. Maggie Phillips. She has been training doctors all over the world for years on how to use your mind to reduce and control pain. She’s someone I’ve come to trust.
Dr. Phillips put together a four-CD course, Hypnosis: The Pain Solution, which I offer folks here at my Wellness Center. My patients tell me it really works. One 47-year-old man I’ll call Jose struggled for years with habit-forming pain medications. He said:
“Since adding Maggie Phillip’s guided hypnosis to my daily regimen, I’ve improved dramatically. I stopped using prescription drugs everyday. The amount I take now is almost down to zero.”
Click HERE to get yours risk-free. And let me know if it works for you.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, M.D.
1 Schulz-Stübner et al. “Clinical hypnosis modulates functional magnetic resonance imaging signal intensities and pain perception in a thermal stimulation paradigm.” 2004. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 29(6):549-556.
2 “Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia.” NIH Technology Assessment Statement. October 16-18, 1995. 1-34.
3 Michael Waldholz. “Altered States: Hypnosis Goes Mainstream: Major Hospitals Use Trances for Fractures, Cancer and Burns, Speeding Surgery Recoveries.” Wall Street Journal. October 3, 2007.