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Hypnosis for Moles?
I recently had someone inquire about hypnosis for mole removal.
Does anyone know where I can find information about this? Research? Personal experience?
Does anyone know where I can find information about this? Research? Personal experience?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on -
There are interesting studies on dermatology and hypnosis.
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=hypnosis+dermatology&...
However, an MD should observe any moles to determine if there is a cancer risk. Second, why use hypnosis? I am of English decent, with fair complexion and prone to moles. For $75 dollars, and two minutes of time, my family practice doctor cuts them off and I feel fine and look good. Seems much more cost effective and faster than hypnosis. By the way, that is not per mole. that is $75 for an extended appointment, he will cut away until they are all gone for the same money.
Occasionally you see someone with a large and strange mole, a dermatologist will excise these quickly and inexpensively in there office.
Just because hyposis can be used to treat something, does not mean it is the best treatment for that condition. I think run of the mill moles would certainly fall into this catagory, and that complex moles would not effectively be treated with hypnosis, unless we were dealing with esteem and personal appearance issues unrelated to mole removal.
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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on -
How interesting...
Untill I read Richards reply,
I had automatically thought about removing moles,
from the lawn, on some country estate.
Years ago, when the first community members moved into Findhorn.
They had a problem with moles in what was to be a beautiful garden.
they meditated on it daily, and the moles moved elsewhere. (or so the story goes).
LOve and hugs,
Fable
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Permalink Reply by Shirley R. Patterson on -
LOL, my mind was occupied as I glanced at this and my first thought was the animal mole!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
Hey Fable -
Any hypno worth his or her salt - can remove a mole from its hole -- Mastery is evicting a gopher...
Hi Richard,
It seems to me that if hypnosis is effective for an individual client -- hypnosis would be a better choice in that every time one penetrates the skin it produces an immune response - so that multiple removals might envoke a hyper-reaction...
Turning the Page-
Hi PT,
Welcome to HT.com
I might suggest that it is experimental and rap about how hypnosis has put warts into remission and see if the client thinks that it is reasonable to think that hypnosis might help reverse a mole -- and it the client goes for it -- you can GOPHER IT...
The article below might be of interest
Michael E.
http://www.townsendletter.com/May2003/psychoneuro0503.htm
From the Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients
May 2003
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology
Review and Commentary
by Robert A. Anderson, MD
Order this issue!
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology describes the unity of mental, neurological, hormonal and immunological functions with its many potential applications. PNIE addresses the impact of cognitive images of the mind (whatever its elusive definition) on the central nervous system and consequent interactions with endocrine and immune systems. It encompasses many arenas, including biofeedback and voluntary controls, impacts of thought and belief on physiology, past and present effects of stress on mental, emotional and physical function, placebo effects, effects of social relationships on health and disease, and impacts of "energy medicine" on personal function and that of others. This column highlights the impact of cogent studies from these arenas on the understanding of holistic medicine in the new millennium.
Psychodermatology
Atopic dermatitis and stress
Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease with eczematous skin lesions and severe pruritus as principal symptoms. The relevance of stress in the pathology is widely accepted and the specific goal of this study was to investigate the impact of acute psychosocial stress on atopy-relevant immune functions in atopic dermatitis patients; 36 patients and 37 nonatopic controls were exposed to a laboratory stressor including a free speech and mental arithmetic tasks in front of an audience (the "Trier Social Stress Test"). Blood samples were collected 10 minutes before and 1, 10 and 60 minutes after the stress test as well as 24 h after the experiment at identical time points under resting non-stressed conditions. Significantly elevated lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and basophil counts 10 min after the TSST (all p<0.001) were not different between subjects and controls. In contrast, eosinophil counts were found to be significantly elevated only in atopic dermatitis patients and not in controls (p<0.01). Patients but not controls showed increased IgE levels (p<0.05) 24 h after the stress test. Immunomodulators interferon-gamma (p<0.001) and interleukin-4 (p<0.001) were raised and attenuated, respectively, by the stress experience in both subjects and controls.
Buske-Kirschbaum A, Gierens A, Hollig H, Hellhammer DH. Stress-induced immunomodulation is altered in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Neuroimmunol 2002 Aug; 129(1-2):161-7
COMMENT: These findings suggest that stress affects white blood cell, interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 in everyone, but that there is a subset of people prone to rapid IgE and eosinophil increases within 10 minutes of exposure. Whether stress management training can attenuate these generic leucocyte changes and the eosinophilic changes in atopic-prone individuals will need to be shown through more thorough investigation. There is certainly evidence (see below) that the skin appearance and symptoms can be significantly altered by suggestion and imaging approaches. It would seem likely, as this study suggests, that this improvement comes about through alteration in underlying immunological and biochemical processes.
Atopic dermatitis and relaxation techniques and autogenic affirmations
The effectiveness of four treatments for atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disorder characterized by severe itching and eczema, was assessed in randomized controlled fashion. A dermatological educational program was compared to autogenic training as a form of relaxation therapy, cognitive-behavioral treatment (comprised of relaxation, self-control of scratching, and stress management techniques) and combined behavioral and autogenic training treatment. These four approaches were also compared to standard medical care. At one-year of follow-up, autogenic training, cognitive-behavioral and combined treatments had led to significantly greater improvement in skin condition than either intensive educational or conventional dermatological treatment. Significant reductions in the use of topical steroids were also recorded.
Ehlers A, Stangier U, Gieler U. Treatment of atopic dermatitis: a comparison of psychological and dermatological approaches to relapse prevention. J Consult Clin Psychol 1995 Aug; 63(4):624-35
COMMENT: These results corroborate preliminary reports that psychological interventions are useful adjuncts to dermatological treatment in atopic dermatitis. If the power of suggestion with visible images is a valid approach to fostering bodily changes, the skin, since it is our most visible organ would be a logical starting point. In this study, both cognitive-behavioral and autogenic-relaxation approaches as well as the combination brought about better 1-year results than mere education or standard conventional treatment. Participative and experiential approaches usually achieve better results than didactic approaches usually featured in educational programs. Practitioners can weave into the education that is a requisite part of a holistic approach, a variety of ways to entrain patient participation. One beginning is to help paint for patients the images of improvement. "Images or mental pictures tend to produce the physical conditions that correspond to them." (Assagioli R. The Act of Will. New York, Viking, 1973) and "The human nervous system responds not only to perceived reality but also equally to imagination." (Anderson R, unpublished, 1984)
Atopic dermatitis and hypnotherapy
Eighteen adults with resistant atopic dermatitis, mean age 33, were treated with 3 hypnotherapy sessions with significant improvement lasting through at least two years of followup. Nineteen of 20 children with severe treatment-resistant atopic dermatitis, age 2-15, had immediate improvement, with 10 maintaining marked improvement in itching and scratching, 9 in sleep disturbance and 7 improvement in mood at 18 months of followup. Elements in the protocol included relaxation; stress management (problem solving techniques); direct suggestion of non-scratching behavior, skin comfort and coolness; ego strengthening; post-hypnotic suggestions of relaxation, skin coolness and ease of self-hypnosis; and instruction in self-hypnosis. For children these elements were placed on a "magic music" tape to be played at home. At 2 years, patients' assessments included improvement in itching (p<.05), scratching (p<.05), sleep disturbance (p<.01) and tension(p<.01); at 16 weeks, mean decrease in use of topical steroids was 60%.
Stewart A et al. Hypnotherapy as a treatment for atopic dermatitis in adults and children. Br J Dermatol 1995 May; 132(5):778-83.
COMMENT: Hypnosis can have a powerful effect in the therapeutic milieu. Suggestions in three separate sessions encompassing non-scratching behavior, skin comfort and coolness, and relaxation resulted in marked improvement in these patients, even at follow-up 2 years later. The use of steroids at four months was 60% reduced. Given the long-term hazards of steroids, even applied topically, most would agree that decreased use would be a positive step. Even suggestions made outside the setting of hypnosis, but made only in an induced altered state of consciousness, such as the alpha-brain-wave state, can have a powerful effect. Once the new images and ideas are incorporated, the previous state of balance in perceptions, physiological functions and behaviors may be permanently altered. This has advantages over conventional treatment of atopy which is usually only symptom-directed and must be continued permanently.
Dermal reactions and hypnosis
Eight volunteers underwent skin testing for type I and type IV reactions before and after hypnosis. Histamine skin prick testing after hypnosis suggesting decreased flare showed significantly less erythema (p<0.02). The size of the wheal did not change. In a second study of tuberculin skin testing, a suggestion was made under hypnosis-directed guided imagery in a healthy volunteer to increase the post-hypnotic reaction in one arm and decrease it in the other; significant differences in erythematous area and palpable induration were apparent (p<0.01). Laser doppler measurements showed a 19% difference in erythema and a 44% difference in dermal infiltrate thickness.
Zacheriae R et al. Modulation of type I immediate and type IV delayed immunoreactivity using direct suggestion and guided imagery during hypnosis. Allergy 1989 Nov; 44(8):537-42
COMMENT: These volunteers did not have a skin "disease" but participated in this demonstration to illustrate the susceptibility of skin reactions to hypnotic suggestion. Reactivity to skin testing in this instance was altered by hypnosis. Other studies have shown the power of suggestion capable of objectively and significantly altering the intensity of skin testing for inhalant allergens, even to the point of eliminating a previously demonstrated reaction altogether. This reminds me of the descriptor in a recent movie: "A beautiful mind." We may be just scratching the surface of those aspects of bodily behavior and physiological/biochemical function which could be altered by the mind in the right circumstances.
Psoriasis and stress
In 80 psoriatic patients, a high prevalence of panic disorder was found; 71% of patients had a diagnosable psychiatric disorder: 35% a personality disorder; 17.5% a mood disorder; 12.5% anxiety disorders and 6% a schizophrenic trait. There had been a significant stressful event in 89% of cases before relapse, but the differences did not meet statistical significance. In 68% the stressful incident was mild. The intensity of the stress was not as important as the assessment of the patient's adaptive and coping skills. The disease appears to be an attempt to express a defensive somatic response to an identity crisis, allowing patients to shift their attention to an outer world event, protecting them against anxiety about internal disintegration.
Mizzetti M et al. Psoriasis, stress and psychiatry: psychodynamic characteristics of stressors. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl 1994; 186:62-64
COMMENT: Embedded in this psychiatric jargon is the significant association with psoriasis and diagnosable psychiatric disorders. And, although not statistically significant, a stress event was related to recurrence in an overwhelming portion of cases. It would then be important for general physicians and dematologists to be mindful of this relationship and ask appropriate questions regarding the nature of the stress. Only then could steps be suggested to manage the stress event(s) to attempt to decrease the incidence of recurrence.
Psoriasis and meditation
Thirty-seven patients with psoriasis about to undergo ultraviolet phototherapy (UVB) or photochemotherapy (PUVA), were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention guided by audiotaped instructions during light treatments, or to be controls receiving light treatments alone. Psoriasis status was assessed by direct inspection by unblinded clinic nurses; direct inspection by physicians blinded to the patient's random assignment, and blinded physician evaluation of photographs of psoriasis lesions. Four sequential indicators of skin status were monitored during the study: a First Response Point, a Turning Point, a Halfway Point, and a Clearing Point. Subjects in the meditation tape groups reached the Halfway Point (p=.013) and the Clearing Point (p=.033) significantly more rapidly than those in the no-tape condition, for both UVB and PUVA treatments.
Kabat-Zinn J et al. Influence of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UVB) and photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosom Med 1998 Sep-Oct; 60(5):625-32
COMMENT: A brief mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention delivered by audiotape during ultraviolet light therapy appeared in this study to increase the rate of resolution of psoriatic lesions in patients with psoriasis. Again, meditation entrains an altered state of consciousness, in which images of improvement can be mentioned by a therapist or heard from a recorded audiotape voice. Can the excessively rapid hyperproliferative dermal cell division in psoriasis be altered by a mental shift such as a meditative state? The answer in this Kabat-Zinn research paper would appear to be yes. While much additional research will be needed to provide a plausible mechanism with biochemical and energetic pathways, this area of investigation holds enormous promise for many physical ills and abnormalities. The skin just happens to be more visible.
Urticaria and beliefs
In this case report, a subject known to be prone to the development of hives was tested by striking the forearm with a paddle, leading to the immediate development of a reactive hyperemia and development of an urticarial reaction. Some time later when the reaction had dissipated, a sham blow was delivered toward the arm without touching the skin, resulting in the same change in reactive hyperemia and hive formation in spite of the fact that the skin had not actually been struck.
Graham DT. The Pathogenesis of Hives: Experimental Study of Life Situations, Emotions and Cutaneous Vascular Reactions. Proc Ass Res Nerv Ment Dis 1950; 29:987-89.
COMMENT: The patient in this report was so responsive to touching or stroking the skin he fits the description of dermographia, in which any contacted skin almost immediately becomes erythematous and hyperemic. Touching, however, is not necessary to induce the hive formation. It can be induced, as this report shows, by only the expectation or belief that the skin will be struck. In a sense, the mind appears to participate in some way to facilitate a cellular memory of previously being struck; the result in present time is triggered by the assumption that a blow will be delivered. There may be very wide applicability of this principle of expectation and belief to many other organ systems and to many disease entities.
Robert Anderson is a retired family physician. In mid-career, his practice took on a more holistic nature as decades passed. He has authored five major books, Stress Power! (1978), Wellness Medicine (1987), The Complete Self-Care Guide to Holistic Medicine (1999) (co-author), The Scientific Basis for Holistic Medicine, (5th edition) available from American Health Press, nhf@msn.com, and Clinician's Guide to Holistic Medicine (McGraw Hill, 2001).
Anderson served as the founding president of the American Board of Holistic Medicine, is a past president of the American Holistic Medical Association, former Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Washington, and currently Adjunct Instructor in Family Medicine at Bastyr University.
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology Review and Commentary
by Robert A. Anderson, MD
614 Daniels Drive NE
East Wenatchee, Washington 98802 USA
=^..^=
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on
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The doctor made an unsafe decision in light of the risk for infection. Most likely he won't get paid in the uk system for cosmetic and must wait until you cut and infect it to get paid.
Mr Green said:Here in the UK my doctor refused to remove a small mole from my face as he said it was considered to be cosmetic surgery. I assured him I would not sue if it left a little scar, but he was very adamant he wasn't going to do it..
Now, every now and then the blighter gets hacked when I'm shaving (not purposely) it's a right royal pain in the arse.
apart from old wives tales, only few remedies are out there I think.., I'd be interested if hypnosis can help this too, great question.
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Permalink Reply by Henxy on -
Richard, I'd stay well away from the QOF system of GP payments if I were you!
It's not about payment, it's about clinical necessity. Cosmetic surgery is never clinically necessary (plastics for reconstruction is a whole other ball game). If a mole is unlikely to be an MM, the GP won't excise it: it's seen as unnecessary and inappropriate as removing someone's appendix for the sake of it. The potential for causing an HCAI for which characters like Lesley Ashe claim £millions, make it just not worth it.
And it goes back to the issue of taxpayers' resources if one chooses to go the cosmetic route.
So most mole stuff goes along with the adage 'if it aint broke...'.
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Permalink Reply by Page Turner on -
Wow. Thank you so much everyone! This is very helpful.
Please be sure to check out my group on here. It's called HypnoYoga and I'm giving away a free online HypnoYoga class to everyone who joins!
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Tommy Vee on -
Page-
My comments are that you never know with hypnosis. Removing moles with hypnosis might be worth a shot.
Many years ago, a local pharmacist called and asked if hypnosis could be used for removing warts from his 9/10 year old daughter. His daughter's dermatologist stated that they try hypnosis. They came to my office after trying everything else (over the counter meds, prescription meds).
The warts were on her arms, hands & legs. After six sessions, all of the warts had disappeared! The sessions were over about a six week period. Two years later, no warts.
Was I amazed? YES. Was I blown away? YES.
Do I know for sure what happened here? No, but somehow her mind helped her. She was receptive to hypnosis and accepted the suggestions.
I will note that her brother came to the office for the same issue and we did not see good results.
As I said above, it might be worth a shot.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Page Turner on
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Great...
Does anyone have any suggestions for suggestions?
Would I just relax them down and then have them visualize the mole disappearing?
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Permalink Reply by Henxy on
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Mr Green said:
Indeedy, my friend. It's not always as simple as it might seem. GPs still won't elect to put you at greater risk than you're currently in. Something to do with non-maleficence! ;-PHenxy said:
So most mole stuff goes along with the adage 'if it aint broke...'.
For me, I do feel that it's broke. I have to be really careful when shaving as if I even 'nick' it it bleeds for forever, it's not the best look if I have morning appointments.. A beard is not an option (no offense to facial hair groomers) and so I have to shave round the mole then go over it with an elextric shaver which even then sometimes nicks it...
Moley, moley...
I'll nibble it off for you, for a small fee!
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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on -
Not sure how it will work for moles, but making suggestions about depriving warts of oxygen (which they need to thrive) has a great effect in making them dry up and disappear. Perhaps just having the client's subconscious choose the approach will be the right direction (as long as it is on board)...
Speaking of moles...years ago, when I was a police dispatcher, I received a malicious mischief complaint from a resident who stated that someone had dumped piles of dirt on his beautifully manicured lawn. A police officer was sent to take the report and upon leaving the complainant's come, he radioed in that he had just responded to a case of lawn moles! I imagine Milton E. would have a heyday devising a metaphor to irradicate the annoying and rooting rodent of your client's skin!
Best wishes,
Kelley
PS ~ BTW, is that your real name? If so, it's awesome!!!
Page Turner said:Great...
Does anyone have any suggestions for suggestions?
Would I just relax them down and then have them visualize the mole disappearing?
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Permalink Reply by Henxy on
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;-O
Ooh, young man!
Mr Green said:Henxy said:Mr Green said:
Indeedy, my friend. It's not always as simple as it might seem. GPs still won't elect to put you at greater risk than you're currently in. Something to do with non-maleficence! ;-PHenxy said:
So most mole stuff goes along with the adage 'if it aint broke...'.
For me, I do feel that it's broke. I have to be really careful when shaving as if I even 'nick' it it bleeds for forever, it's not the best look if I have morning appointments.. A beard is not an option (no offense to facial hair groomers) and so I have to shave round the mole then go over it with an elextric shaver which even then sometimes nicks it...
Moley, moley...
I'll nibble it off for you, for a small fee!
Fair enough...
... and the mole? ᴥ ;-P
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