The Heart of Hypnosis
The Heart of Hypnosis is intended to provide you with
up-to-the-minute information about hypnosis and hypnotherapy, including current
research, proven clinical applications, time-tested strategies, and
state-of-the-art techniques, as well as, the latest advances in mind-body science.
In addition, you'll find heart-warming personal accounts about the power of
hypnosis to change lives, answers to frequently asked questions, and an
opportunity to ask questions of your own.
For breaking news and the most up to date information about hypnosis, hypnotherapy and mind-body research, visit www.heartofhypnosis.com
Gastric Band
Hypnotherapy as Effective as Surgery for the Obese
Apr 17, 2010 Grace Joubarne
The European
hypnotherapy technique "gastric band fitting" successfully
facilitates weight loss in the obese without the cost and side effects of
surgery.
While the basic concept of using hypnotic techniques to
reduce the size of the stomach has been around for many years, hypnotherapists
Marion and Martin Shirran, of the Elite Clinics in Spain, formally developed
and trademarked their technique after an obese client quipped “If only a person
could be hypnotized to believe they had a gastric band…” Now, this virtual
procedure is gaining favor around the world under several trademarks.
Dangers of Actual Gastric Band
Surgery
A surgically implanted gastric band is usually reserved for
those classified as "obese" and who demonstrate a body mass index
(BMI) over 30. It reduces the size of the stomach, thus the patient feels
fuller after eating smaller portions of food.
The surgery has several significant drawbacks:
- The
surgery is expensive; hospitalization is required;
- Gastric
band surgery is considered a "last gasp" option because of
fatalities;
- There
is a possibility of complications and side effects of prescribed drugs
during recovery.
Why Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Works
Researchers and scientists all over the world have conceded
that the "mind/body connection" holds the key to wellness,
achievement and personal development. The technique of using the subconscious
mind to imagine a gastric band around the neck of the stomach as a
"reality" has been showing great results (Maclean, 2010, Bruce,
2010). Certainly it is entirely safe, very cost-effective and has none of the
side-effects and dangers of surgical gastric band fitting.
Standard weight management hypnotherapy involves hypnosis,
direct suggestion and dietary changes. Gastric band hypnotherapy adds the
imagination of the actual surgical procedures, including later
"adjustments" to the virtual "band" tightness. As well, the
mind is convinced the stomach has become smaller and thus clients feel full
more quickly. By eating less and adhering to a healthy lifestyle, weight
dissolves permanently.
How Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Works
Essentially gastric band hypnotherapy treatment has evolved
to combine cognitive behavior therapy, hypnotherapy, guided imagery and
nutritional counseling, with variations in methodology from practitioner to
practitioner. The procedure of gastric band surgery is explained to the client
during an in-depth and detailed intake session and before the client is
hypnotized. Typically the emotional root-cause of the over-eating issue is
dissolved using standard hypnotherapeutic techniques, including regression.
Typically, clients are hypnotized over four to five sessions
and eventually guided to imagine, in detail, that they are having gastric band
surgery:Surgery-free Weight Loss
Solution for the Obese.
A European hypnotherapy technique, "gastric mind
band," uses the mind to facilitated weight loss in obese people by guiding
them to imagine the gastric band procedure.
- Over
the first three to four sessions, depending upon the client’s readiness
and the practitioner’s preferences, the client is guided to imagine the
overall preparation and procedures involved in the placement or fitting of
a band around the upper part of their stomach.
- At
the fourth to fifth session, the client imagines that the band is actually
“fitted” into place at the upper part of their stomach.
- Positive
and direct suggestions are given for weight loss, meal portion and quality
of diet throughout the hypnotherapy process; the client is assisted to
develop a new and more productive relationship with food.
- The
client is typically asked to listen to a reinforcement CD regularly until
the desired weight and diet control is permanently achieved.
- After
28-30 days the client is hypnotized and guided to imagine the band being
"adjusted" and reinforcement for positive dietary and exercise
changes is also repeated.
- Dietary
and lifestyle changes are also "suggested" in hypnosis and
reinforcement CDs are utilized for continuing support as indicated.
Some practitioners such as Jagi Egnell in British Columbia,
Canada, work with nutritionists to further empower and support their clients,
while others actually create the hospital smells to further reinforce, for the
subconscious mind, the "reality" of the surgery. Some practitioners
orchestrate the entire "surgery" ensuring the client fasts before the
"fitting" and have someone pick up the client after the "virtual
fitting."
Practitioner Bryan Knight of Montreal points out the
importance of doing a detailed interview to ensure the procedure is not used on
those with issues such bulimia. Practitioners interviewed for this article have
indicated that gastric band hypnotherapy is not indicated for those with
thyroid problems, not qualified as obese, not fully committed or for those who
do not have medical clearance.
John Maclean of the UK has developed the Hypno-Band
technique, which utilizes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to analyze client
behavior and habits, and hypnotherapy to dissolve the emotional and
psychological reasons for over-eating and to provide a "mechanism" to
allow the client to eat less and feel full more quickly.
Dr. Bob Bruce of the UK, offers his weight management
program "Virtualgastroband" in two parts where he employs a number of
techniques including hypnotic suggestion. Part 1 can be taken on either a
one-to-one or group session basis and includes the setting of a weight-loss
goal. Part 2 can only be carried out effectively on an individual basis and
after a full psychological evaluation of the client’s mental attitude and
commitment toward the process and satisfaction of the agreed weight loss goal
set in Part 1.
A companion article on hypnosis gastric band fitting "Gastric
Band Hypnotherapy May be the Solution for Obesity" provides
information on where to access this treatment.
Sources:
Bruce,B., Virtualgastroband 2007,
Virtualgastroband Ltd, UK
Egnell,J., (2010) Innervisions
Hypnotherapy Clinic, BC, Canada
Knight, B. (2010) Hypnosis Depot,
Montreal, PQ, Canada
Maclean, J., Hypno-Band 2009,
Newwave Hypnotherapy, UK
Wolchansky, K., (2007) Edn
Hypnotherapy, Edmonton, AB Canada
Article Source: http://weight-loss-methods.suite101.com/article.cfm/gastric-band-hypnotherapy-can-be-as-effective-as-surgery-for-the
Olympic Bronze Medalist Shannon Bahrke Uses Hypnosis to Improve Performance
Hypnotism
was once the sole domain of quacky circus magicians, but that's
changing. Now a milder version of it called hypnotherapy can help elite
athletes overcome fears that prevent them from performing their best.
Just ask moguls skier Shannon Bahrke
.
"Having
that good plan, getting a good visualization of where you're at, being
aware of negative self-talk, and giving yourself positive
affirmations-I worked on a lot of those things, but in my heart and
soul I didn't believe it," she says. "That's where my hypnotherapist
came into play."
Here's how it works, according to Randy Shaw,
Bahrke's hypnotherapist in Salt Lake City: Fear in the subconscious
mind-instigated by, say, a bad crash or injury-can cause a lack of
concentration and lead to a decline in performance. By accessing the
subconscious mind and identifying those fears, athletes can overcome
them.
"When a bad feeling comes up, it's connected to another
time when we felt like that," explains Shaw. "What I do is help you
release what happened in the past so that it has no power over you in
the now."
Or, as Trent Petrie, the director of the
Center for Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas, explains:
"With a lot of athletes, particularly those who have a lot of tension,
hypnotherapy helps them relax in the moment so they can perform."
However you explain it, it works for Barhke, who now listens to a ten-minute recorded hypnotherapy session before competition.
"For
me, your mental state is so important," attests Bahrke. "Everyone in my
sport is fast and strong and fit and can ski the hell out of anything,
but it's who can sit in a gate and put down the best run when it
counts. That's 99% mental."
©
Copyright 2010 NBC Universal. All rights reserved. Any use,
reproduction, modification, distribution, display or performance of
this material without NBC Universal's prior written consent is
prohibited.