My Mom asked me the other day about hypnosis. She wondered if it could be useful for my RSD/CRPS pain. I thought I'd bring the question to this forum. Have any of you used hypnosis and went into remission as a result? Has hypnosis helped any of you manage you're pain better? I know we are all different, and that what treatments work for one may not work for the other. I pulled up the thread Hypnosis/Brain reprogramming- Cure??? from July 2012. It sounds pretty skeptical. I find your responses quite valuable, and would like to have your 2-cents on the topic. Thanks.

I have found it extremely helpful. It's not a magic pill but I always feel a LOT better after a session. Part of the point is to help relax you, that is almost half the battle. Tensing usually causes more pain which causes more tensing and yet more pain, a nasty little circle. It also helps to learn to try and focus beyond or above the pain. You still can hurt but for me it lessens the pain and makes it easier to cope with he pain I do have.

Also, as we all know STRESS is a killer when it comes to spiking up your pain. The relaxation helps with that too. It helps to cut off another vicious little cycle

How did you find a person who was good at hypnosis?

I have no personal experience with this, but would certainly not rule it out in helping certain individuals.

Where I become extremely skeptical though is when anybody uses the word "cure" in any claims. That makes me think that they are trying to play on your emotions and desperation to find a cure, rather than making more moderate claims that they can "help".

One was referred to me by one of my Doctors. Other than that try to Google one in your area, make sure if you are dealing with insurance companies to check fro "pre-approval" for thing like therapy, a surprising large amount of them might not be covered under your plan

Because of my depression, anxiety, stress and pain level I have cried everyday since Nov 3, 2009. Everyone told me "You need mental help, someone to talk to". I finally found a wonderful human being, a psychologist who referred me to a married couple here in San Diego who are Phd psychologists who specialize in hypnotherapy, meditation and neuroscience. They have written over 24 books, I went to my library and had them order a book for me. The title is Neuro-Hypnosis-Using Self Hypnosis to Activate the Brain for Change. Their names are Alex and Annellen Simpkins. They have a website. A good read. These people have studied with the best ..Milton Erickson who was a famous psychiatrist who specialized in medical hypnosis. I did my research on this before making the appointment. Some people can be hypnotize some can't. I went to them about 5 or 6 times.
I am now having dental issues that can not be postponed. After calling over 40 dentists (who would not take me or have never heard of RSD), I found a great dentist and yesterday had a tooth pulled. My teeth used to be perfect but they are breaking off or rotting. I think because of all the drugs I used to take and I am in so much pain I chomp and grind. I just want all of my teeth taken out so I will NEVER fear RSD spreading to my face.
I used the hypno therapy I was taught to "take myself to a happy place".
They taught me so much coping techniques I cant say enough. I use these tools on a daily basis...pretty much on a minute by minute bases.
Since there is no cure for this horrible beast, and I still have a heart beat, I can still breath in and out and have brain waves I am considered alive. This is not quality of life so I figure...Why not try? The brain is a powerful organ.
It helped me so much.
Good luck.

Thank you to all for your responses and tips. Like I said initially, I do value your input, and your compassion is comforting. So, hypnosis well may be worth a try as part of my regular pain management regimen.

To add to it, lately I have been quite down about all the things I used to do that I cannot do now because of RSD. The list is long as I'm certain many of yours is too. The limitations are so frustrating, especially when it comes to my grandkids. I will ask for a recommendation from my Doctor; I believe a psychologist combo hypnotist will be best for me too <<shelbie4u>>. I have never been hypnotized before, so I do not even know if I can be hypnotized.

On top of it all, I've just been diagnosed with restrictive pulmonary disorder. I have an appointment coming up with a pulmonologist to further diagnose and manage my breathing problem. I'm out of breath with the simplist tasks. I think it is likely from my inactivity and weight gain, but I'll let the Doctor decide. Just another bump in the road I guess.

My insurance just changed too. I had fantastic insurance before I retired early on disability. I'm in scary territory now insurance wise <<crpssongbird>. I will seek a preauthorization.

Wouldn't it be fantastic if there was a cure? I know I am dreaming, but I'm also trying to remain positive. Remission would even be quite fantastic. <<birchlake>>.

Thanks again to all of you. I hope for you many good days ahead.