What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy uses the technique of hypnosis to harness the power of your subconscious mind to help support you as you deal with your breast cancer and the treatments.
How could hypnosis help me?
Hypnosis may help you to cope with all the different emotions that a diagnosis of breast cancer brings. Additionally, a number of studies have suggested that hypnosis has a role to play before an operation in calming and relaxing people.
After the operation it may aid healing, reduce pain, and reduce some of the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea. Hypnotherapy may reduce the stress of chemotherapy, especially in people who hate needles, and radiotherapy or some scans if people feel claustrophobic.
Are hypnotherapists trained?
Yes, there are a number of training courses that people can take to become hypnotherapists.
Is there anyone who can teach me to use hypnosis on myself?
Certainly there is. Hypnotherapists can teach you self-hypnosis techniques to support you through your cancer journey. Hypnosis and visualisation often work closely together.
Is hypnotherapy available on the NHS?
Some cancer treatment centres may offer hypnotherapy alongside relaxation and visualisation.
