Epidemic Halted With Hypnosis!

We have a problem America. Nurses everywhere can help. A waterfall starts off as a single drop of water. When that drop is joined by others, the power of one becomes the power of millions. Not long ago, the Secretary of Health and Human Services reported narcotic pain medication prescriptions written exceeded the population of the United States! More than one script written for every adult. Fifty people die everyday as a result of prescription pain pill overdose.

The numbers are staggering when it comes to the epidemic of prescription pain pill abuse in America. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and drug companies propagate a problem that just keeps growing. You can help, but you don't.

It seems to me as licensed pill pushers, complacency has overtaken our resolve to overlook the degradation of humanity for the sake of "pain control".

Before you react to what I write, read a bit more. I understand analgesia. Analgesia revolutionized the medical world by making it possible to perform procedures that saved lives. Analgesia still has its place in medicine. It always will. At what cost? At what sacrifice? At whose benefit? Pharmaceuticals are a multibillion dollar industry. The almighty dollar RULES. I can accept the reality that I cannot beat big business.

I don't have to support it either. The status quo is meant to be challenged. If it wasn't, the United Kingdom flag would be flying and waving over America today.

Now, I ask you, fellow health care providers of America, are you prepared to question the status quo?

It is so much easier to acquiesce, it seems to do so will lessen the pressure on our already weakened backbone.

What has become of free will? Has absolutism replaced common sense to the point that quality of life can be sacrificed? I would like to believe this is not the case.

There exist a partial solution to the current epidemic of which I have been writing about. It's cost effective, easily learned, and will benefit everyone! Except pharmaceutical companies. That's the gut wrencher. The poor drug companies will lose revenue. Is this an outcome America can survive? I think we can. I think we should. I thonk there is still time to have an impact on this epidemic. An impact we can be proud of and look back on and say, "We did it"!

In 1958 the American Medical Association approved a paper on the medical uses of hypnosis. Two years later the American Psychological Association included hypnosis as a branch of psychology. During the civil war hypnosurgery was widely used due to the lack of anesthesia product availability. Today, hypnobirthing as been widely accepted as beneficial not only for the mother but fir the newborn as well. Faster delivery, less stress on the neonate, less bleeding, and less discomfort. Winners all the way around.

Are you feeling me colleagues? Will you join the cause? For your patients, for your community, for humanity? Contributing to the epidemic is not humane. It is in fact counterproductive.

Where do we start? I think the answer is clear. We start with US.

As health care providers, licenced professionals, we learn about the dangerous side effects of medications. Hypnosis is a completely normal and natural tool available to us for use on rhose we care for. Those we look out for. Those we advocate for.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAMs), or Integrative Medicine had has made itself known in the medical community, tet resistance persists by the old guard that must have scientific proof of the efficacy of something new. Budget restrictions, training facilities, and other factors must be addressed. Progress is slow. CAMs are making such an impact, the need for Certified Hypnotists is expected to rise every year in the next decade.

So I present this idea. Learn to utilize this complementary medicine in your practice. I have, and the results have been phenomenal. Hypnosis works. It's not a magic wand and it's not for everyone. It is an option worth investigating.

Just imagine your patients being less stressed during recovery. Less opiod analgesics means more alert patients. Increased active participation in rehabilitation. OIC (opiod induced constipation ) reduced. Paralytic ileus problems eliminated. Central nervous system, cardiovascular, and respiratory failures avoided.

Drug abuse and addiction potential reduced.

That's my partial solution. I think it's a start. I think it's a viable option. I think we all win.

I leave it to you for consideration and discussion in your forums. Change is never simple, acceptance even more difficult. We have to start somewhere or we'll have no ending.

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.

Wait, what?

We have a fan club??

Wait, what?

We have a fan club??

They have a fan club. WE are allnurses.com

I don't know where the fan club is to read joe's science, because once again, no links.

Since this is turning into an opinion piece, I will say that I have seen mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery etc. used successfully in anxiety in teens. For severe cases, meds and CBT would have to be on board, but in the moment, yes?

I also have a buncha paper bags for the hyperventilators.

Specializes in Psych., Rehabilitation, Developmental Di.

Thank you bc. Hypnosis will not cure the opiod crisis. When I read "make your title catchy or engaging" I may have gone overboard, (gulp). You comments are greatly appreciated. I agree with the pain management. It is paramount. Enjoy the reading.

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
They have a fan club. WE are allnurses.com

I don't know where the fan club is to read joe's science, because once again, no links.

Since this is turning into an opinion piece, I will say that I have seen mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery etc. used successfully in anxiety in teens. For severe cases, meds and CBT would have to be on board, but in the moment, yes?

I also have a buncha paper bags for the hyperventilators.

But, but I LIKE my grammar. :blackalien:

Yeah, I could see some of this as a supplement, but I would not recommend to my patients without seeing some studies first. All I get on Google is how to make someone bark like a dog. Don't have time to sift through that stuff.

Thank you bc. Hypnosis will not cure the opiod crisis. When I read "make your title catchy or engaging" I may have gone overboard, (gulp). You comments are greatly appreciated. I agree with the pain management. It is paramount. Enjoy the reading.

WHAT READING??? Arrrgggh!

But, but I LIKE my grammar. :blackalien:

Yeah, I could see some of this as a supplement, but I would not recommend to my patients without seeing some studies first. All I get on Google is how to make someone bark like a dog. Don't have time to sift through that stuff.

Your barking dog sentence is useless without a link.

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
Your barking dog sentence is useless without a link.

Hilary Clinton Barks Like A Dog At Rally - YouTube

Bwahahaha.

Hmmm... but was she hypnotized?

or was she hypnotizing the audience with her barking?

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
Hmmm... but was she hypnotized?

But I provided a link.

Has anyone seen any studies for Hypnosis?

I think most of us here are not scoffers. But to take the place of anesthesia?

I want proof.

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
I think most of us here are not scoffers. But to take the place of anesthesia?

I want proof.

I agree. I just want to see studies before I start recommending something like this. That's why I started the thread on taking pain pills out of ED, we do need to come up with some effective solutions.