Associated Counseling Professionals
2255 S. 132 St. - Ste. 200 - Omaha, NE
402-334-1122
2255 S. 132 St. - Ste. 200 - Omaha, NE
402-334-1122
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
History of hypnosis
Hypnosis has been used as a therapeutic tool for centuries, but only in the past 50 years
have the clinical applications been delineated. As evident in the medical literature, the use of
hypnosis by the medical community has increased, partly as a result of a growing
awareness of hypnotherapy as an available treatment modality, and also as a result of major
improvements in research methodology through strict standardization. Hypnotherapy,
once considered to be limited to entertainment, has now proven useful in the treatment of a
wide variety of medical illness.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Hypnosis has been a part of the healing arts for centuries. The Egyptians used "sleep
temples" in which therapeutic suggestions were made, for example. The clinical applications,
however, have not been clarified until recently. Acceptance by the scientific medical
community has been limited by commercial exploitation, carnival sideshows, and
controversy. The dispute was not whether the patient's symptoms improved, but whether
the application was based on sound scientific theory. Hypnosis, however, which has been
considered peculiar to regal powers, magnetism, and sleep, has in many cases proven
effective. Researchers and clinicians have now introduced theories that are both acceptable
and supported by scientific evidence.
The modern history of hypnosis begins with Franz Anton Mesmer. In 1766 Franz Mesmer,
an Austrian physician, published a dissertation entitled "The Influences of the Planets on
the Human Body." Mesmer believed that all objects were subject to magnetic fields that
directly influenced health and disease. Mesmer's techniques included elaborate theatrics
with costumes, staring in his patient's eyes, and making "passes" over the body to employ
his own magnetic field in the restoration of equilibrium to the patient's fluid.
Although the details of his methods are poorly documented, he did enjoy an immense
success. His fame spread rapidly, and he treated large numbers of patients. His colleagues
and local scientific societies, however, refused to acknowledge his achievements, and he
ultimately retired to anonymity. Although his theories are now considered mistaken, his
work did offer insight into the potential applications of hypnosis In 1843 John Elliotson, a
distinguished British physician well known for his introduction of the microscope to Great
Britain, published a book entitled "Numerous Cases of Surgical Operations Without Pain in
the Mesmeric State". He described in detail his personal use of the mesmeric state for the
treatment of chorea and rheumatism. He also presented the work of his colleagues, who
were able to perform such procedures as the painless release of contractures, incision of
abscesses, and dental extraction.
A contemporary of Elliotson's, James Braid, introduced the term hypnosis
derived from the Greek hypnos (sleep). Braid was also credited with the
elucidation of the psychological aspect of hypnosis and the power the mind has over the
body. He was impressed by the ease and rapidity with which trance could be induced, and
fully recognized that the therapist did not transfer any magnetic, electric, or other physical
force. His theory was close to the current understanding that the trance state is
independent of the induction technique.
His elucidation of the psychodynamic aspects of hypnosis were later adopted by Broca,
Charcot, and Bemheim. Other therapists, such as Freud and Bramwell in 1889, continued
their investigations and research use until modem hypnotherapists, such as Milton
Erickson and Karen Olness, refined the current clinical application of hypnosis. The exact
nature of trance is still unknown; however, theories by prominent physicians have offered
insight into the psychodynamics of trance. The history of hypnotherapy has been filled
with controversy, but the therapeutic success and the application of rigorous scientific
methods to the use and research has greatly improved the acceptance of hypnotherapy by
the scientific community.
Hypnosis has been used as a therapeutic tool for centuries, but only in the past 50 years
have the clinical applications been delineated. As evident in the medical literature, the use of
hypnosis by the medical community has increased, partly as a result of a growing
awareness of hypnotherapy as an available treatment modality, and also as a result of major
improvements in research methodology through strict standardization. Hypnotherapy,
once considered to be limited to entertainment, has now proven useful in the treatment of a
wide variety of medical illness.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Hypnosis has been a part of the healing arts for centuries. The Egyptians used "sleep
temples" in which therapeutic suggestions were made, for example. The clinical applications,
however, have not been clarified until recently. Acceptance by the scientific medical
community has been limited by commercial exploitation, carnival sideshows, and
controversy. The dispute was not whether the patient's symptoms improved, but whether
the application was based on sound scientific theory. Hypnosis, however, which has been
considered peculiar to regal powers, magnetism, and sleep, has in many cases proven
effective. Researchers and clinicians have now introduced theories that are both acceptable
and supported by scientific evidence.
The modern history of hypnosis begins with Franz Anton Mesmer. In 1766 Franz Mesmer,
an Austrian physician, published a dissertation entitled "The Influences of the Planets on
the Human Body." Mesmer believed that all objects were subject to magnetic fields that
directly influenced health and disease. Mesmer's techniques included elaborate theatrics
with costumes, staring in his patient's eyes, and making "passes" over the body to employ
his own magnetic field in the restoration of equilibrium to the patient's fluid.
Although the details of his methods are poorly documented, he did enjoy an immense
success. His fame spread rapidly, and he treated large numbers of patients. His colleagues
and local scientific societies, however, refused to acknowledge his achievements, and he
ultimately retired to anonymity. Although his theories are now considered mistaken, his
work did offer insight into the potential applications of hypnosis In 1843 John Elliotson, a
distinguished British physician well known for his introduction of the microscope to Great
Britain, published a book entitled "Numerous Cases of Surgical Operations Without Pain in
the Mesmeric State". He described in detail his personal use of the mesmeric state for the
treatment of chorea and rheumatism. He also presented the work of his colleagues, who
were able to perform such procedures as the painless release of contractures, incision of
abscesses, and dental extraction.
A contemporary of Elliotson's, James Braid, introduced the term hypnosis
derived from the Greek hypnos (sleep). Braid was also credited with the
elucidation of the psychological aspect of hypnosis and the power the mind has over the
body. He was impressed by the ease and rapidity with which trance could be induced, and
fully recognized that the therapist did not transfer any magnetic, electric, or other physical
force. His theory was close to the current understanding that the trance state is
independent of the induction technique.
His elucidation of the psychodynamic aspects of hypnosis were later adopted by Broca,
Charcot, and Bemheim. Other therapists, such as Freud and Bramwell in 1889, continued
their investigations and research use until modem hypnotherapists, such as Milton
Erickson and Karen Olness, refined the current clinical application of hypnosis. The exact
nature of trance is still unknown; however, theories by prominent physicians have offered
insight into the psychodynamics of trance. The history of hypnotherapy has been filled
with controversy, but the therapeutic success and the application of rigorous scientific
methods to the use and research has greatly improved the acceptance of hypnotherapy by
the scientific community.