What Is Hypnotherapy for Mesothelioma?
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to create a state of focused attention and relaxation. A trained practitioner or hypnotherapist guides you through this process and uses suggestions based on your needs and goals.
Despite popular culture portrayals of hypnosis, you don’t become unconscious or lose control over your actions. You remain aware of your surroundings and can communicate with the hypnotherapist as needed.
If you have mesothelioma, hypnotherapy isn’t a replacement for standard treatments like chemotherapy. However, it may be used as an alternative or complementary treatment to help ease pain, anxiety, stress, and some side effects of cancer care.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for more information on treatment and support options that can relieve symptoms and help you cope with your diagnosis.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help Mesothelioma Patients?
Research into hypnosis among cancer patients has shown potential benefits for certain symptoms and treatment side effects.
Mesothelioma can affect your physical and emotional health. You may feel anxious about treatment, worried about the future, or overwhelmed by pain and other symptoms. Hypnotherapy may help you manage some of these challenges.
Hypnotherapy may be used alongside your treatment to help with:
- Anxiety and stress
- Emotional well-being
- Nausea and other treatment side effects
- Overall quality of life
- Pain management
- Relaxation
- Sleep difficulties
- Treatment-related distress
However, research on hypnosis as a treatment for mesothelioma patients is limited. Most hypnotherapy studies have involved people with other types of cancer. Research suggests hypnosis may help with certain types of pain and anxiety, but results vary. There’s less evidence that it helps with other concerns, such as sleep problems.
Because of this, hypnotherapy should be part of your supportive care plan rather than replacing established treatments.
Hypnotherapy for Mesothelioma Pain and Anxiety
Pain and anxiety can significantly affect your quality of life when living with mesothelioma. For example, if you have pleural mesothelioma, you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that interfere with everyday activities.
It may help change how you respond to discomfort, but it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the pain (such as cancer tumor growth). Because of this, it’s usually recommended in addition to mesothelioma pain management options like palliative care.
Hypnosis may also help you relax during medical procedures or feel less anxious about treatment. However, it can’t treat cancer or the physical causes of symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
Tell your care team about persistent or worsening symptoms rather than attempting to manage them with hypnosis alone.
What Happens During a Hypnotherapy Session?
Hypnotherapy sessions vary depending on the practitioner and your goals. Your hypnotherapist will typically start by discussing what you hope to address and explaining what to expect during the session.
A hypnotherapy session for cancers like mesothelioma may include:
- Getting comfortable: You’ll usually sit or lie down while the hypnotherapist helps you relax.
- Entering a focused state: The practitioner may lead you through breathing exercises or ask you to concentrate on certain words, sensations, or images.
- Therapeutic suggestions: While you’re deeply focused, the hypnotherapist may use imagery or suggestions related to goals such as relaxation, anxiety, or pain relief.
- Returning to normal awareness: The practitioner gradually guides your attention back to your surroundings.
- Discussing the experience: You may talk about the session afterward and learn techniques to practice between appointments.
You remain in control during hypnosis. You may also learn self-hypnosis techniques to practice on your own. These can help you relax or manage certain symptoms between appointments.
“Hypnosis is an active process that requires commitment from the patient. It is not something that can be done to the patient; it is something that is done with the patient.”
– MD Anderson Cancer Center
Can Hypnotherapy Help With Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects?
You may experience physical and emotional side effects during chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and other mesothelioma treatments. Hypnotherapy may help you manage some of these effects.
Clinical hypnosis has been studied for cancer treatment side effects like:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain and discomfort
- Treatment-related anxiety
Some patients may choose hypnotherapy as part of a broader supportive care plan while receiving treatment. Clinical trials studying options like hypnotherapy also continue to evaluate ways to improve symptom management and quality of life for people with cancer.
Always discuss complementary therapies like hypnotherapy with your mesothelioma doctors, especially while undergoing active treatment.
Can Hypnotherapy Cure Mesothelioma?
No. Hypnotherapy can’t cure mesothelioma, treat the cancer, or directly improve prognosis (health outlook). Hypnotherapy mainly helps improve emotional well-being and may ease some symptoms.
Hypnosis for mesothelioma won’t:
- Lead to remission or a miracle cure
- Keep cancer from spreading or returning
- Remove asbestos fibers from the body
- Shrink mesothelioma tumors
“Hypnosis is not a medical treatment for cancer, but there may be an important role for hypnosis in managing cancer. Hypnosis has been effective in helping patients reduce pain, stress, and depression, and calm fears and anxiety.”
– Stanford Medicine
Download our Free Doctor Questions Checklist to get help navigating conversations about alternative treatments like hypnotherapy with your mesothelioma specialist.
Hypnotherapy for Mesothelioma and Integrative Care
Integrative medicine combines conventional treatment with selected complementary approaches to support a patient’s physical and emotional needs.
Hypnotherapy should never replace standard cancer treatment. Depending on your needs, your mesothelioma specialist may recommend hypnosis alongside treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation.
An integrative care plan for mesothelioma may involve:
- Mesothelioma specialists
- Counselors or therapists
- Dietitians and nutritionists
- Palliative care providers
- Qualified hypnotherapists
- Support groups
- Wellness and support services
Other alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, music therapy, or acupuncture may also be considered based on your health and individual needs.
The goal isn’t to replace your medical care. Instead, these therapies may help ease symptoms, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life while your doctors treat the cancer.
Is Hypnotherapy Safe for Mesothelioma Patients?
Yes, hypnosis is generally safe when provided by a trained health care professional. However, hypnotherapy may not be right for everyone, and side effects may include dizziness, headaches, or sleep problems.
Before trying hypnotherapy for mesothelioma:
- Avoid hypnotherapists who claim to cure cancer.
- Choose a provider with clinical hypnosis training.
- Discuss hypnotherapy with your cancer care team.
- Keep taking prescribed medications and treatments.
- Tell your hypnotherapist about your health conditions.
If you have a serious mental health issue, ask your providers whether hypnosis is appropriate for you before you try it. They can recommend the best mental health resources for your situation.
How to Find a Qualified Hypnotherapist for Mesothelioma
Training and professional backgrounds can vary among hypnotherapists. Your mesothelioma cancer center, doctor, or mental health professional may be able to recommend someone with appropriate clinical hypnosis training.
Before choosing a provider, consider asking:
- Are you a licensed health care professional?
- Can you explain your clinical hypnosis training?
- Could you estimate how many sessions I’ll need?
- Do you have experience with cancer patients?
- How might hypnosis help with my symptoms?
- Is hypnotherapy covered by my insurance?
- What does each session cost?
- Will you work with my cancer care team?
Be cautious of anyone who promises that hypnosis or any other alternative treatment can cure mesothelioma.
Find Support During Mesothelioma Treatment
Living with mesothelioma can affect your physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. You don’t have to manage those challenges without support. Hypnotherapy is one of several supportive therapies that may help you feel better when used with proper medical guidance.
At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re ready to guide patients and families about the best options for them.
Our Patient Advocates may be able to:
- Determine if an alternative option like hypnotherapy could help
- Find mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers in your area
- Review financial compensation options
- Help your family get the support you need
Call (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide now to explore treatment and support resources for you or a loved one.
Mesothelioma & Hypnotherapy FAQs
Can hypnotherapy cure mesothelioma?
No. Hypnotherapy can’t cure mesothelioma, shrink tumors, or stop cancer from progressing, according to leading medical centers like Stanford Medicine.
Hypnosis may be used as complementary care for mental health issues or pain, but it should never replace standard mesothelioma treatment options.
Can hypnosis help with cancer pain?
Yes, hypnosis has been studied as a complementary approach to managing pain in people with cancer. Some patients may experience pain relief, but results vary.
You should work with your medical team to determine what’s causing the pain and develop a plan to manage it.
Contact us now to explore treatment options and find doctors who can help you feel better while you face mesothelioma.
What are the potential risks of hypnotherapy?
Generally speaking, hypnotherapy is safe when performed by professionals. Some patients may experience dizziness, nausea, sleep issues, and anxiety in rare cases, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A hypnotherapist, preferably one who has treated other cancer patients before, can tell you about potential side effects before your first session.
Who should not do hypnotherapy?
Patients who are expecting a miracle cure for their mesothelioma should not do hypnotherapy. Always be wary of those who promise a revolutionary treatment or cure for any type of cancer.
Well-established treatments like surgery and immunotherapy offer the best chance of improving your mesothelioma prognosis.
The Mayo Clinic also advises against hypnotherapy if a patient has a serious mental health diagnosis, such as schizophrenia.
Can you use hypnotherapy for mesothelioma during chemotherapy?
You may be able to use hypnotherapy during mesothelioma chemotherapy to help manage anxiety or certain treatment-related symptoms.
However, it’s always a good idea to talk to your oncology team before adding hypnotherapy or other complementary therapies to your care plan.
How many hypnotherapy sessions do you need?
There’s no standard number of hypnotherapy sessions for mesothelioma patients. The number may depend on your goals, symptoms, response to hypnosis, and the approach used by your provider.
A qualified practitioner can discuss an appropriate plan based on what you hope to address.
