Managing Chronic Pain
Pain is more than a physical sensation, it’s your body and brain communicating that something needs attention. Signals travel through the nervous system, and sometimes the brain’s responses can amplify or prolong discomfort, even when medical causes have been addressed. Chronic pain is often as much about how your mind interprets these signals as it is about the physical source itself.
Living with persistent pain can affect your energy, mood, work, and relationships. Hypnotherapy offers a complementary approach, helping you explore how your mind and nervous system respond to pain and supporting you in discovering ways to feel more in control of your experience.
It’s important to note that hypnotherapy does not replace medical care, prescribe treatment, or cure underlying conditions. Before starting, your pain should be fully assessed by a qualified healthcare professional, and hypnotherapy can then be used safely alongside any existing medical treatment.
Through tailored sessions, you can develop techniques to reduce the emotional and physical impact of pain, improve relaxation, and strengthen your capacity to manage daily life. Every experience is unique, and progress varies from person to person, but the goal is to help you navigate life with chronic pain in a calmer, more supported way.
Common Conditions I Work With
People often explore hypnotherapy after trying a variety of treatments, looking for additional ways to feel more in control and reduce the emotional and physical burden of their pain.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as back, neck, or joint discomfort
Migraine or tension headaches, (once fully assessed by a healthcare professional)
Post-injury or post-surgery pain, to help with recovery
Situations where stress, tension, or emotional patterns amplify the perception of pain
How Hypnotherapy May Help With Pain
Chronic pain is not only influenced by physical factors, but also by how the brain and nervous system process pain signals. When pain is ongoing, the nervous system can become hypersensitive, amplifying discomfort. Stress, anxiety, and prolonged tension can further intensify how pain is experienced.
Hypnotherapy does not claim to remove the physical cause of pain. Instead, it may help support changes in how pain is processed and experienced, including:
How the brain interprets and responds to pain signals
Reducing stress and anxiety that can heighten pain perception
Encouraging muscle relaxation where tension contributes to discomfort
Supporting improved sleep despite ongoing pain
Developing mental strategies to manage pain episodes
Reducing the emotional strain of living with persistent pain
Creating a greater sense of control and resilience
Many people notice that while pain may still be present, their relationship with it changes. It may feel less overwhelming or less dominant in daily life. Some experience a reduction in intensity, while others find they are able to do more, cope better, and feel less restricted by pain.
Important Medical Requirement
Before working on pain management, I may require written confirmation from your doctor or medical consultant that
Your pain has been fully medically investigated
All appropriate medical treatments have been explored
There are no underlying conditions requiring further medical attention
Your doctor supports you exploring hypnotherapy as a complementary approach
This ensures we're working safely and appropriately with pain that's been medically cleared for hypnotherapy support.
Your Experience
With pain management, support is often more ongoing. Some people prefer a series of sessions to develop effective strategies, while others benefit from longer-term or occasional support. We’ll talk through what feels most appropriate for your situation and adjust as needed.
For pain, the relaxation itself can sometimes bring short-term relief. Over time, many people develop stronger skills for managing discomfort, stress, and the emotional impact of living with ongoing pain.
What Hypnotherapy Can and Cannot Do
This work doesn’t replace medical care, but it can provide valuable support when people are looking for new ways to cope, adapt, and improve quality of life alongside ongoing treatment.
Hypnotherapy does not cure chronic pain conditions or remove the physical cause of pain. What it may offer is support with pain perception, stress reduction, emotional resilience, and quality of life. Some people experience a noticeable reduction in discomfort; others find the pain is still present but less distressing and easier to live with. Outcomes are individual and cannot be predicted.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If ongoing pain is affecting your day-to-day life, hypnotherapy may offer supportive, complementary help.
Book a consultation to discuss your situation and confirm that hypnotherapy is appropriate alongside your medical care.