Hypnosis for High Blood Pressure: How Can Hypnotherapy Help?
High blood pressure is considered to be a common medical condition these days. Many people resort to medications to keep their blood pressure under control. What if there is an underlying factor for your blood pressure? Or what if, stress and tensions are constantly triggering higher blood pressure regardless of the medications?
When you intuitively know that you need more than medications; and you are looking for something that will holistically address this issue, hypnotherapy can be a valuable option to look into.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition where the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Think of it like the pressure in a water hose that's turned up too high. While our bodies need some pressure to keep blood flowing, high blood pressure can strain the heart and damage blood vessels over time. Keeping an eye on blood pressure is important for maintaining overall health and preventing complications down the road.
Causes of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can stem from various factors, both controllable and uncontrollable. Lifestyle choices such as a diet high in sodium, low physical activity levels, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to elevated blood pressure.
Additionally, genetics and family history play a role, as some individuals may be genetically predisposed to hypertension. Other factors include age, stress, and certain medical conditions like kidney disease or sleep apnea.
We often hear examples of people suffering from high blood pressure when they receive negative news or experience something stressful. The sudden change in intense feelings and chronic stress can also lead to high blood pressure.
Hypnosis for high blood pressure
Hypnosis mainly aims to work with the stress that contributes to high blood pressure and improve the mind-body connection that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure. There are many techniques a hypnotherapist can adapt depending on the person but here are some general points hypnosis can address:
Hypnotherapy can help with lowering blood pressure holistically by helping with stress management, mind-body connection and working with triggers subconsciously.
Natural stress management with hypnosis
In most cases, stress is involved with hypertension. Managing chronic stress or the effects of trauma can help stabilize high blood pressure. Hypnosis by nature is a very relaxing and calming experience physically. During this state, with the suggestions or imagery journeys you receive, you will be able to manage stress triggers more effectively.
Hypnosis can retrain the mind to respond to triggers in a more calm and balanced way rather than reacting with tension. With this mind-body training, usually lowering of the blood pressure is also observed.
Strengthening mind-body connection with hypnosis
The mind constantly sends signals to the body. And vice versa, the body constantly sends signals to the mind. When a significant emotional impact is received, or when we unconsciously hold on to powerful emotions, this mind-body connection can get disturbed and the flow may be broken.
With hypnosis we work with the subconscious mind, the part of the mind that influences the mind-body connection. During hypnosis, the subconscious mind becomes more suggestible than usual and responds better to direct suggestions and desired states. We take advantage of this state to create necessary changes.
Identifying the root cause with hypnosis
Sometimes, there is a trauma at the root of the high blood pressure. When we look at the past, we can easily notice that chronic high blood pressure emerged right after a significant life event or a stressful time. Addressing this important issue can bring significant relief and help regulate high blood pressure.
Whether you are aware of it or not, hypnosis is a very helpful state to find the root cause, rescript the events that took place, and release the surfaced emotions. In the long term, working with the root cause can help with clearing a huge block out of the way.
Working with the triggers with hypnosis
At certain times you may find blood pressure elevating uncontrollably. These could be triggering events, people, places or objects. For example, when someone has a fear or a phobia, exposure to the trigger can lead to elevated blood pressure.
During hypnosis, we can work on desensitizing to triggers so they no longer create an alarming reaction within the body. We can also practice visualizations to imagine yourself being exposed to the triggers with a calm and relaxed response instead.
Self hypnosis for high blood pressure
Self hypnosis is a self-help tool that stimulates the subconscious mind at your pace. It is simple yet the effects of it are very powerful. Practicing self hypnosis regularly can help with stabilizing the blood pressure and managing stress subconsciously. In other words, a regular self hypnosis practice can be helpful with chronic high blood pressure.
Self-hypnosis can also help with the onset of high blood pressure. By nature, self-hypnosis helps create a more relaxed and calm state of being within. Naturally, the brain waves slow down and blood pressure can lower as well. Even when feeling anxious and nervous, it can be helpful to practice self-hypnosis to manage high blood pressure.
Effectiveness of hypnosis on lowering high blood pressure
Over the years, there have been many research studies conducted to measure hypnosis as a possible treatment option for high blood pressure. Even though there is more research needed to conclude, the results of these studies are promising.
In a research study that was published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experiential Hypnosis, 30 participants were randomly assigned to either 8-session hypnosis treatment or the control group. Results showed that hypnosis helped reduce high blood pressure in the short term, but also in the middle and long term results.
Another pilot study points out similar results. In the pilot study, 64 participants were randomized to either the intervention group who received 15 minutes of hypnosis recording, or the usual care group who rested for about 15 minutes. Results were dramatically different in both groups. The group who received hypnosis showed significantly lower heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived distress.
All in all, taking into account that hypnosis has no side effects and merely uses your mind power, it’s definitely worth a shot when it comes to managing high blood pressure naturally.
Final words
In the end, hypnosis presents a promising value for managing high blood pressure by leveraging the mind-body connection. With relaxation techniques, suggestions, and visualizations, hypnosis can help release stress and anxiety, leading to improved blood pressure control. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional before integrating hypnosis into hypertension management. With guidance, hypnosis can offer a gentle yet effective approach to support overall cardiovascular health.