Psoriasis
There are many claims that hypnosis can be used to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. This may be explained by Psychoneuroimmunology that explores the correlation between how good one feels mentally and the strength of ones immune system. Equally the curative effect of hypnosis may be explained by its ability to relieve stress, a well know trigger that can cause psoriasis to increase in severity. The National Psoriasis Foundation focusses on its ability to improve relaxation1.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. We have no conscious control over what happens in our skin. Embarrassment or exercise may make our skin become redder and fear or illness may make it go pale. What happens in the skin is completely under the control of our subconscious mind. The subconscious mind does everything with a positive intention but sometimes the effects are experienced as something negative. Hypnosis communicates directly with the subconscious so this gives the opportunity to influence what it does. With psoriasis the intention is to reduce the symptoms of the complaint.
The skin is the external barrier to our body. In order to maintain its protective function it is continually growing, as the older cells reach the surface they die and are sloughed off. When psoriasis occurs the cycle of cell growth is accelerated. In healthy skin the cycle of cell creation to the cell being sloughed off is about 1 month; in skin affected with psoriasis the cycle is reduced to 3 to 4 days. The skin becoming thickened and red due to an increased blood supply required to support the increased activity and the dead skin cells appear as a white flaky build up. It is believed that it is the immune system that is causing the effect by sending faulty signals.
With hypnosis we are looking to address the issue from a number of directions. Obviously, if one of the triggers is known we can address that using direct suggestion and as stress seems to feature frequently the use of self hypnosis for stress management can be useful. We will also look for a possible trigger event. Your subconscious may have overreacted to a physical trigger like an infection or an emotional trigger that caused stress. Your subconscious learnt how to deal with this trigger in one way, if we can induce the subconscious to deal with similar triggers in a different way the symptoms of psoriasis will subside. The science of psychoneuroimmunology identifies a link between the mind and its healing capacity. This suggests that defusing any emotion that surrounded the original trigger can promote healing.
A small scale study carried out by Tausk and Whitmore at the St Johns Hopkins School of medicine in Baltimore also revealed that hypnosis can improve psoriasis2. The study concluded that the degree of improvement depended on the hypnotisability of the patient. Hypnosis is the use of a natural trance state that each of us uses 4 to 8 times an hour. Most people can easily achieve a level of hypnosis and it is natural to assume that some can achieve deeper levels than others. Generally the more intelligent and creative a subject the easier they find it to achieve a deeper level of hypnotic trance.
If you are suffering from psoriasis, hypnotherapy may be a valuable tool to you in improving your condition and your life. To book an appointment at Stephen's Guildford or Woking, Surrey practice ring now on 01483 566115 or use the online booking form.
Reference
1. National Psoriasis Foundation >
2. Francisco Tausk, S. Elizabeth Whitmore: A Pilot Study of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Patients with Psoriasis: Psychother Psychosom 1999;68:221-225