Colorado Institute of Behavioral Medicine - Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Continuing eduction, Boulder, CO

Colorado Institute of Behavioral Medicine
GREG FREEDMAN MD, CCHt

MIND | BODY | SPIRIT
PSYCHOTHERAPY - HYPNOTHERAPY - TRAINING

OFFICE: 303.901.0983
FAX:303.494.1709
Boulder, CO 80307
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Info for Referring Health Professionals

SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITIONS

Chronic Pain

Hypnotherapy is very effective to support resolution of chronic pain. This effect occurs in several ways. For one, it is very effective for reducing stress, which is often a major factor in the cause and maintenance of muscle tightness, which then contributes to many types of pain (Philips, 1988; Ornstein and Swencionis, 1990; Sarno,1991; Girdano, et. al. 1993; Goleman and Gurin, 1993; Caudill, 2002). Hypnotherapy additionally supports pain reduction through a variety of imagery, suggestion, and transformative techniques (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Kroger,1977; Rossi and Cheek, 1988; Brigham Davis, 1994; Cheek, 1994; Hilgard and Hilgard, 1994; Barber,1996; Bakal, 2001; Eimer, 2002; Turk and Gatchel, 2002). While pain reduction is worthy of being a goal in itself, an additional benefit for manipulative medicine and bodywork is that it reduces clients= resistance to treatment, which allows physical therapy, manipulation and bodywork to be more to proceed more quickly and be more effective. For more information on CIBM=s chronic pain program, see Direct Behavioral Medicine Services/Life Beyond Pain .

Acute and Procedure-Related Pain

Pain is influenced at the levels of the cortex, the limbic system, the spinal cord, and the tissues (Philips, 1988; Turk and Gatchel, 2002). Hypnotherapy facilitates pain reduction at various levels of the pain experience, in addition to the effects of reducing stress and tension (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Kroger, 1975; Philips, 1988; Rossi and Cheek, 1988; Cheek, 1994; Hilgard and Hilgard, 1994; Barber, 1996; Turk and Gatchel, 2002). As a result of increased comfort and reduced pain, less anaesthetic is generally required during medical and dental surgeries (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Kroger, 1975; Philips, 1988; Rossi and Cheek, 1988; Cheek, 1994; Hilgard and Hilgard, 1994; Herod,1995; Barber, 1996; Patel et. al., 2000). Hypnotic pain reduction is so powerful with some patients that invasive procedures, including oral surgery, can be performed without the need for any chemical anaesthetic (although this is not recommended unless anaesthesia is contraindicated for medical reasons).

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition frequently seen by health care practitioners. Patients return time after time seeking relief from the same pain, stiffness and fatigue. Repeated treatments, adjustments and bodywork may show little lasting effect. This condition often frustrates health care practitioners as much as it does the patient. While FMS is not life-threatening, it can be as debilitating as rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, while FMS affects 5-10% of the population, disability payment to FMS suffers account for over 30% of all disability payments (Starlanyl and Copeland, 2001; Roth, 2004a;). Hypnotherapy has shown to be a very effective therapy for fibromyalgia (Hansen, et. al., 1991; Roth, 2004a). Nationwide, over 80% of patients receive significant relief from fibromyalgia symptoms (Roth, 2004a). Hypnotherapy treatment for fibromyalgia is designed to be used in conjunction with medical treatment, and is not intended as a replacement for conventional or complementary medical treatment. For more information on CIBM=s Fibromyalgia program, see Direct Behavioral Medicine Services/Fibromyalgia.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by alternating diarrhea, and/or constipation associated with abdominal cramps, gut pain, bloating and gas. This condition affects up to 35 million people in the United States, and accounts for 10% of all visits to primary care physicians (Roth, 2004b). IBS symptoms cause disruption in work, leisure, social and family activities. In fact, IBS is the second most cited reason for missed work days in the U.S. (Roth, 2004b). Conventional medical treatments aim at reducing gut spasms, and increasing or decreasing gut motility primarily through fiber and anti-spasmodic medications (Salt and Neimark, 2002; Roth 2004b). Complementary treatments offer a variety of herbal and nutritional supports, as well as stress reduction. Unfortunately, these treatments are effective for only a minority of IBS sufferers. It is likely that a multidisciplinary approach to IBS provides the best results. As part of a multi-disciplinary approach, hypnotherapy has shown to be a very effective therapy for IBS (Temes, 1999). Nationwide, over 90% of patients receive significant relief from IBS symptoms (Roth, 2004b). Hypnotherapy treatment for IBS is designed to be used in conjunction with medical treatment, and is not intended as a replacement for conventional or complementary medical treatment. For more information on CIBM=s IBS program, see Direct Behavioral Medicine Services/Irritable Bowel Syndrome .

TMJ Syndrome

Treating patients with TMJ syndrome can be a challenging and often frustrating experience (Kroger, 1977; Uppgaard, 1999). TMJ syndrome often proves at least partly refractory to the best dental treatments. Partial results are frustrating and disappointing for both dental professionals and for patients. It is believed that the main reason for the challenge of TMJ syndrome treatment is that stress and psychological issues are involved (Kroger, 1977; Grzesiak, 1991; Dubin, 1992; Uppgaard, 1999). While TMJ is not considered a functional disorder, stress and psychological issues are often involved in the creation and maintenance of the condition. Even in cases of traumatically induced TMJ, stress, psychological factors, as well as neurologically-based trauma reactions, may contribute to only partial treatment success. Hypnotherapy has been successfully used to treat TMJ syndrome for decades and is arguably the most beneficial non-dental, treatment for the condition (Grzesiak, 1991; Dubin, 1992; Patel et. al., 2000; Simon and Lewis, 2000). Hypnotherapy is an excellent complement to dental and myofascial release treatments. Hypnotherapy address several aspects of TMJ syndrome, in particular pain, stress, psychological factors, and trauma. As a result, hypnotherapy addresses the factors which limit the success of dental treatments, so dental treatments become more effective.