Pain and Suffering

When a client is having any physical discomfort, which is usually referred to as pain, we must remember that there are two distinct components to this discomfort. One is physical pain and the other is suffering.

Pain is a noxious sensation that, while beneficial in the acute phase to inform them when the patient is in danger, in the chronic form it has frequently outlived its usefulness. Pain is due to stimulation of certain nerve fibers. Mainstream, allopathic, medicine relies on narcotics, non-narcotics and surgical procedures to ameliorate these complaints with varying degrees of success or failure depending upon one's viewpoint.

Suffering accompanies pain and is the often over-looked stepchild of pain; in fact the more chronic the pain, the greater the suffering. The greater the suffering, the less effective are pain relieving drugs and procedures. Suffering is derived from patient's thoughts about the pain. Their thoughts of, "Why me? Whom can I blame? What will happen to me tomorrow-what about my family? What will others think?" Suffering is their frustration, anger, resentment, anxiety, fear, panic, worry, etc.... Much of this conflict is subconscious. The precise treatment for pain and suffering is as different as the causes.

Hypnosis therapy in different formats is useful for both pain and suffering., Glove anesthesia, distraction, dissociation, displacement, substitution, and nerve signal disruption imagery are suitable for pain, while regression, parts therapy, reframing and forgiveness work are appropriate for ending their suffering.

The problem with so many therapeutic choices for so many possible presentations is the Hypnotherapist must be vigilant and client oriented. We must separate the pain from the suffering and treat each accordingly. Each client suffers in his/her own unique way and each treatment plan must be individualized.

J. Crit Harley, MD, C.Ht.
PO Box 2544
Hendersonville, NC 28793
jcharley@bellsouth.net
Dr. Harley is an IMDHA Certified Hypnotherapist