Hypnosis proves effective alongside local anesthesia for procedures like dental work, childbirth, and cosmetic surgery. Staying conscious enables essential communication with the therapist. A preparatory session beforehand significantly reduces pre-surgery anxiety. In the operating room, the therapist guides you to close your eyes and visualize a serene walk, evoking calming images (a forest clearing, a beach), physical sensations (“Your leg feels pleasantly heavy”), or simply checking your comfort. They adapt metaphors—wound disinfection becomes “gentle falling rain.” Subtle finger signals suffice for responses.
Hypnotherapists in surgical settings are typically anesthesiologists or nurses—find certified practitioners at www.hypnose-medicale.com. Hypnosis supports anesthesia, reducing anxiety and pain perception, which means less anesthetic is required. This results in smoother awakenings and faster recoveries. With no added risk—local anesthesia remains available—it benefits nearly everyone, including children, and works even better with mild sedation. Regrettably, it's underutilized in hospitals.
L.K.
With thanks to Dr. Jean-Marc Benhaiem, anesthesiologist and author of Hypnosis or the Gates of Healing (Odile Jacob).
