Hypnotherapy for Pain Support

Feel More in Control. Support Your Body’s Natural Calm. Improve Daily Comfort.

Chronic pain can be exhausting—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Over time, it affects more than your body. It can disrupt sleep, deplete your energy, impact your focus, and wear down your overall wellbeing.

If you’re looking for a safe, natural, and low-risk way to complement your pain management approach, hypnotherapy may offer support. Some people find it helps them relax more deeply, shift their relationship to discomfort, and feel more empowered in daily life.

How Hypnotherapy May Help with Pain

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind — the part of you that stores beliefs, reactions, and automatic responses — to help shift how you interpret and respond to discomfort. It’s not about ignoring pain, but rather developing new ways of relating to it that may feel more manageable or empowering.

In each session, we focus on:

  • Encouraging relaxation and calm

  • Supporting a more balanced response to physical discomfort

  • Helping reduce emotional and physical tension

  • Reinforcing a sense of control, resilience, and calm

  • Providing self-guided tools you can use between sessions

Conditions Supported by Hypnotherapy

Some clients explore hypnotherapy as a way to support their experience of long-term physical discomfort. While individual results vary, areas where people have used hypnotherapy as part of their broader wellness approach include:

  • Ongoing back or neck tension

  • Discomfort related to fibromyalgia

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Arthritis-related stiffness

  • Gut sensitivity (including IBS symptoms)

  • Post-surgical healing support

  • Phantom limb discomfort

If you are dealing with a chronic condition, hypnotherapy may offer gentle support alongside your existing care plan. It is not a substitute for medical treatment, and you should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new therapy.

The Science Behind Hypnotherapy for Pain Management

Hypnotherapy is not just a complementary therapy—it is strongly supported by scientific research as an effective tool in managing both acute and chronic pain conditions. Here’s what the evidence shows:

Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews

Montgomery et al. (2000) conducted a meta-analysis of 18 controlled studies, concluding that hypnosis significantly reduces pain intensity across a range of conditions, including cancer pain, surgical pain, and chronic non-malignant pain.
(Source: Montgomery, G. H., et al., International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2000)

A more recent review by Thompson et al. (2019), covering over 40 studies, also confirmed that hypnotherapy consistently leads to statistically significant reductions in pain and improvements in quality of life.
(Source: Thompson, T., et al., Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2019)

Brain Imaging Research

Modern brain imaging confirms that hypnotherapy alters how pain is processed:

Researchers at Harvard Medical School (Spiegel et al., 2016) used fMRI scans to show that hypnosis decreases activity in key brain areas associated with pain perception, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex and somatosensory cortices—effectively reducing the subjective experience of pain.
(Source: Spiegel, D., et al., Cerebral Cortex, 2016)

Clinical Trials & Chronic Conditions

  • Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain:
    Elkins et al. (2007) found that fibromyalgia patients experienced significant reductions in pain intensity and improved quality of life after hypnotherapy sessions compared to control groups.
    (Source: Elkins, G., et al., International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2007)

  • Chronic Back & Neuropathic Pain:
    Jensen et al. (2006) demonstrated hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in reducing pain intensity, improving sleep quality, and enhancing overall wellbeing in patients with various chronic pain conditions.
    (Source: Jensen, M. P., et al., Clinical Journal of Pain, 2006)

IBS & Condition-Specific Research

One of the most thoroughly researched areas is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition closely tied to chronic abdominal pain:

  • Whorwell et al. (1984) showed that hypnotherapy significantly improves IBS symptoms, particularly abdominal pain, and has since been widely endorsed by gastroenterologists.
    (Source: Whorwell, P. J., et al., The Lancet, 1984)

Professional Recognition

  • The American Psychological Association (APA) recognises hypnotherapy as an empirically supported treatment for pain management.

  • The British Pain Society acknowledges hypnosis as an effective adjunctive therapy in managing chronic pain.

The research is clear: Hypnotherapy is a safe, evidence-based approach to pain relief.
It works by reducing pain perception, calming the nervous system, and improving emotional resilience—all without the need for invasive procedures or medications.

If you’re seeking a natural, effective option to better manage pain, hypnotherapy is well-supported by science to help you achieve that goal.

Frequently Asked Questions – Pain Management Hypnotherapy

How does hypnotherapy reduce pain?

Hypnotherapy guides you into a deeply relaxed, focused state where we can access the subconscious mind. In this state, we help reframe how your brain processes pain signals, reducing the intensity of pain and improving your ability to manage it.

Will hypnotherapy completely eliminate my pain?

While results vary, many clients experience a noticeable reduction in pain levels and an increased sense of control. Hypnotherapy may not cure the source of pain but can significantly reduce its impact on your daily life.

Is hypnotherapy safe for pain management?

Yes, hypnotherapy is safe, natural, and non-invasive. It complements medical treatments and does not interfere with medications. You remain fully aware and in control throughout.

How many sessions will I need?

That is entirely up to you depending on how you feel. Most clients benefit from 3 to 6 sessions, though this may vary based on the type and severity of pain. We’ll personalise a plan tailored to your specific needs.

Will I lose control during hypnosis?

No. You are always in control during hypnotherapy. It’s not stage hypnosis or mind control—you remain fully aware, relaxed, and able to engage in the process.

What types of pain can hypnotherapy help with?

Hypnotherapy has been shown to support a range of conditions, including:

  • Chronic back and neck pain

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Migraines and headaches

  • Arthritis discomfort

  • IBS-related abdominal pain

  • Post-surgical recovery

  • Phantom limb pain

Can hypnotherapy help with the emotional side of chronic pain?

Absolutely. Chronic pain often affects more than just the body—it can cause stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Hypnotherapy addresses both the physical sensation of pain and the emotional impact, helping you feel calmer, more resilient, and better equipped to manage daily challenges.