This is an amazing story. It shows the potential power of mind over body.
Alex Lenkei underwent hypnosis for hand surgery in Britain recently. He was fully awake and pain-free during the 83 minute procedure.
A professional hypnotherapist, Lenkei put himself into a deep trance so he wouldn't feel the pain of surgery and did so without any anesthesia. Lenkei said it took him only 30 seconds to put himself under. For more, read here - And by the way, Lenkei had a hernia operation performed under hypnosis in 1996.
This is really amazing - but if I'm getting surgery, I'm going the anesthesia route.
30 comments:
I read about this in my local paper and I think it is great. The concerning part is that the Anesthesia Department was not to happy, they felt it was 'dangerous'. I think they are thinking some people can do with out anesthesia and most hospitals are all about helping people first then the all mighty dollar.
wowsers!
I think I will take the anesthesia route as well, but this just goes to remind me how much power my mind can have over my body!! Thanks for sharing this, have a great weekend!
Angel
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"This is really amazing - but if I'm getting surgery, I'm going the anesthesia route. " - you took the words right out of my mouth!
My first thought is, if he can hypnotize himself, he can also reverse that. What if he got nervous or scared and did that during the surgery? Yikes! I'll take anesthesia over hypnosis.
Donna
Dear Winrob,
I recall seeing a surgery done with only acuptunture. Amazing how things CAN be done. And yes, money is often the root/route (pun intended)
Dear Angel,
I thought it was amazing.
Dear Christine,
I'll visit byt don't wish to get news updates. Thanks anyway.
Dear Guilty,
No way -Put me out. I'm too chicken to give that a try.
Dear Donna,
He said he was aware during the entire surgery and felt "pressure" in the area where the surgery was being done. He is one cool brave guy! I also thought about what you mentioned. Like, could the hypnotic state slip or loosen!
The mind is a mysterious thing. Mind over matter for me is the strongest force of will power a person can have. I feel if a person can force their mind to control the "matter" then hats off to them, but I agree Dr. Deb. shoot me up with the anesthesia and wake me in the morn.
What do you think about hypnosis as a "cure" for depression?
Susan
That is way cool, but I'm with you too. I'd go the anesthesia route as well. I have, however, been hypnotized for entertainment purposes. It's pretty cool.
Really amazing--but nobody's ever been able to hypnotize me, ever. Think I'll go with anesthesia, too...
Another chicken here. Amazing stuff but I'll have the anaesthetic please.
A few good things about general aneshesia:
-you sleep
-you don't feel it
-you don't remember it
-you can't move (you don't want to twitch when there are knives inside delicate parts of your body)
When they are putting you under is one of the most relaxing times of your life, even if you are worried about the surgery. Drugs are good, m-kay!
But good for him.
It's pretty amazing how much the mind can do and how we have yet to learn much more about how it works.
In the article, Lenkei said how hypnosis can be used both pre and post surgery for its relaxation techniques. I think in general, going in relaxed with any procedure whether through hypnosis or not can provide better outcomes to surgery as well as a faster recovery rate.
I'm with you, however, in wanting anesthesia before going under the knife. I like not remembering the procedure for the most part.
Give me drugs before you cut! PLEASE!:)
I believe in the power of the mind though personally I'll stick to the anaesthesia too.
Wow! Yep the mind is an amazing thing. Like you however i will go the anesthesia route if i have to have surgery.
Amazing. I'm always curious about the baseline pain tolerance of these surgery/hypnosis patients. And suggestability. They really need to be studied more, see what we can learn from them.
Hey Dr. Deb. I needed to blog about my issues with my mom and the dementia issues. (where people who've experienced it could feed back) but my family had access to my blog.
So, I started a new blog
http://falldowntogether.blogspot.com/
We used to sing the Ring around the Rosie's rhyme ..which right now is seeming sadly appropriate.
You, and any of your readers are welcome ...
I'd be so afraid of slipping out of the hypnotic trance. Pretty amazing, though!
I heard about this on the news! Yes, it is amazing what our minds can do! But I am with you, Dr. Deb...give me the anesthesia! LOL
I hope that you have been doing well!
Hugs,
Sarah
In today’s ever increasing socioeconomic stressful environment emphasis should be focused on the advantages of Medical hypnosis. It is important to understand that one is not treated with hypnosis but rather through hypnosis. Choosing the right Hypnotherapist is therefore very important. One-on-one sessions are most desirable in correcting conditioned habitual responses, as each patient has different and sometime multiple past and present sensitizing events.
Unlike cognitive therapy or prescription medications which concentrate on the "effects", Medical hypnosis works in an older part of our brain to assault the "causality" of the problem by redirecting or even eliminating negative habits, emotions, or perceptions. As increased scientific study confirms the value of medical hypnosis; myths, half-truths, and suspicions surrounding hypnotherapy will be diminished and we can help change our stressful society without harsh and often dangerous prescription medications.
Although I understand and partially agree with your research Dr.Erickson, my belief, my personal experience and my opinion is that in order to travel into the depths of certain "sensitizing events" one would need a start button if you will, and medication and congnitive therapy work hand in hand in achieving just that. I also believe that therapy does in fact work on the "causality" and not just the "effects". Again, my personal opinion and experience as a therapy/medication patient.
I have read similar stores in the past... also about acupuncture. I would be willing to try.
As for Mothers day... It has made me sad for years, since my kids have been away. This is the first time since 1990 I have been with the kids on that day.
Wonderful.
That is amazing! I don't know if I could do that, either.
What do you think about hypnosis to help with losing weight, depression, and other issues? Are there any good tapes or CDs that can be bought at a store?
we are afraid of hypnosis so we sure wouldnt be doing it.
Dear Queen,
Some can work their mind over matter better than others. I'm not in THAT group though ;)
Dear Bipolar,
If *you* find it helpful, than go for it. Anything that can lift your depression is a green light in my book (as long as it's not harmful, y'know). The best experience I ever had was when I was hypnotized. I was relaxed and felt so light and free. I
Dear Palmtree,
Cool. What happened in your expeirence.
Dear Cracker,
Suggestibility is a unique trait. I know many who are "un-hypnotizable". Is that a word?
Dear HP,
Me too. I'm not one to try, but applaud anyone who does!
Dear Scoot.
M-kay!!!! So right!
Dear Tiptoe,
I loved being hypnotized. It was so wonderful, relaxing. I want anethesia though for all surgery.
Dear Wanda,
My thoughts exactly!
Dear Kahless,
We share the same thinking.
Dear Mysti,
I find stuff like this so amazing.
Dear PHD,
I'm sure there are volumes on said subjects. There is much to learn about suggestibility, etc. It varies so much from person to person.
Dear Dreaming,
Will do
Dear Dawn,
THAT would by my worry too. Like when I drop a glass or get distracted by a thought.
Dear Sarah,
Always nice to see you here. And yes, amazing stuff.
Dr. Dr. Erickson,
You are correct in distingtuishing the differences between CB therapy and hypnosis. The therapy I practice, psychoanalysis, is very much interested in the past history and causality. Your work must be extremely interesting and rewarding. I would very much like to be trained in hypnosis.
Dear Queen,
You make great points.
Dear Kath,
I've seen acupunture films with surgery. Yucky and fascinating at the same time! And a house full of kids, even BIG kids, is a wonderful thing indeed.
Dear Lone,
I'm totally with you on that!
Dear Awake,
I think it is a viable option to try. I am not up on the stats, but I am a big believer in a person finding what may work for him her.
Dear JIP,
I can totally understand the fear of that. It requires a giving up of control, submission etc. I found it extremely wonderful. But I worked worked with a trusted colleague. I think it would have been MUCH harder for me if it were a stranger or a lesser "known" hypnotherapist. Good point to make, JIP.
Do you know of any good articles on Hypnosis ..online?
It was really cool. I just felt completely calm, like nothing mattered and I didn't care about anything that I was doing. I guess it's probably sort of the same as if you were drunk or something, but I've never been drunk so I don't know.
The hypnotist said that no matter how much (or little, since it was prom night) sleep we got we'd be completely refresed and awake. I had 2 hours of sleep that night and felt like I had 10. It was great. I love being hypnotized!!
Dear Kanaan,
I can't say I have a definitive article I'd endorse. Just do a search on some of the more scientific based websites like Science Daily or Medscape
Dear Palmtree,
I felt some of the same ease you speak of. I liked the feeling of being so floaty and light!
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