Supporting Cancer Patients with Hypnotherapy & Acupuncture
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with any cancer, please read my blog post linked here. You may find it helpful.
Hypnotherapy has so much to offer individuals navigating cancer—at any stage, and alongside any form of medical treatment. It’s not a replacement for conventional care, but a powerful complement that supports the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Relaxation and emotional calm are more than just comforting—they’re biologically meaningful. When the body is relaxed, the immune system functions more effectively. Hypnotherapy helps clear fear, panic, and emotional blocks that may interfere with healing. It allows patients to shift old perceptions, release trauma, and reconnect with inner strength, courage, and resolve. In doing so, it helps “fire up” the immune system for the task at hand.
This isn’t just intuitive—it’s backed by science. A growing field known as Psychoneuroimmunology has shown a clear link between mental and emotional states and immune function. For cancer patients, this connection is vital. Many understand it intellectually, but few know how to act on it. That’s where hypnotherapy comes in—not just as a concept, but as a practical, empowering tool.
Through guided hypnosis, patients can:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve sleep and emotional resilience
• Reframe traumatic experiences
• Cultivate a sense of peace and control
• Support immune function and overall well-being
Hypnotherapy helps patients feel more grounded, more hopeful, and more connected to their own healing journey. It’s not about fighting harder—it’s about healing smarter.
Citations supporting hypnotherapy benefits for cancer patients:
1. Hypnosis-Based Intervention for Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients... Source: BMC Cancer Study
Key Findings:
• A controlled study involving 93 patients found that self-hypnosis sessions significantly improved anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and overall health status in breast cancer patients.
• The intervention was particularly effective for those experiencing high emotional distress.
• Why It Matters: This study shows that hypnotherapy can be a meaningful complement to medical treatment, helping patients feel more emotionally balanced and physically supported.
2. Hypnotherapy Improves Quality of Life During Chemotherapy... Source: APA PsycNet Study
Key Findings:
• Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer who received hypnotherapy showed statistically significant improvements in cognitive and social functioning.
• Physical functioning and overall quality of life also improved, with medium-to-large effect sizes.
• Why It Matters: This research highlights how hypnotherapy can enhance emotional resilience and mental clarity during one of the most challenging phases of cancer treatment.
3. As reported at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association... Ruzyla-Smith, Patricia et al. (1993).
In a study at Washington State University, a group of volunteers were given hypnotic suggestions specifically to boost their immune systems. Another group received only relaxing suggestions or no suggestions. Their levels of T- and B-cells (special defence cells) were measured. Those who had received hypnotic suggestions showed significant increases in their levels of protective cells.