Three Models for Using Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain is a significant health care challenge in the United States, as well as worldwide, that brings numerous severe complications. Medical interventions can occasionally be useful in management but often bring more problems than benefits. Hypnosis has been increasingly recognized as beneficial for both acute and chronic pain and has minimal side effects or downsides. For much of the last century and a half, hypnosis has largely been applied to pain using a unidimensional approach focused on pain reduction. Although useful in some circumstances, particularly with acute pain, this approach has significant limitations when applied to the true complexity of chronic pain. This theoretical article discusses three models for using hypnosis to manage chronic pain: (a) skills-based, linear, cognitive approaches; (b) waking hypnosis; and (c) Ericksonian-based, nonlinear interventions. We contend that none of the approaches discussed are superior to the others and that each has an application based on the circumstances.