For most people, hypnosis conjures up movie images of menacing therapists, vulnerable patients, and tales with dire consequences. But contrary to what we see in the movies, hypnosis does not take over your mind, cause you to lose control, or lead you to say or do unusual things. Hypnosis is simply a very deep form of relaxation that you can initiate or terminate at any time.
Hypnosis is a tool sometimes used in the treatment of tension headaches and migraine.
While stress is not a cause of migraine, it can be a trigger for some people. In the course of a hypnotherapy session, a hypnotherapist encourages patterns of thinking that diminish pain and anxiety or the desire to continue an undesirable habit. The precise mechanism by which hypnosis works is unknown. It may reduce distressing sensory input. Generally speaking, hypnosis involves inducing a very relaxed state and then introducing beneficial suggestions.