Coping with fibromyalgia: What we have learned from hypnosis

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex, chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often attributed to central sensitization. FMS also involves other problems such as tiredness, poor sleep, mental/emotional difficulties, and a lower quality of life (QoL). The exact causes of FMS are still unclear, but there is growing evidence that some FMS patients have a history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect in childhood or adulthood. Abuse may act as a link between trauma and chronic pain over time, suggesting that FMS may be a physical expression of delayed trauma-related stress. FMS patients are hard to treat because most treatments do not work well for them. However, psychological treatments, especially hypnotherapy, have been shown to help change how fibromyalgia pain is perceived. There is increasing evidence that hypnotherapy alone or with standard medical treatment can help FMS patients in the long term, but not in the short term. Hypnosis can target specific symptoms such as pain, tiredness, sleep issues, anxiety, and depression, or it can focus on resolving emotional conflicts and traumas related to FMS. Regular practice at home, including self-hypnosis, and occasional follow-up sessions may help maintain the benefits of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a valuable adjunct therapy with an excellent safety profile for managing chronic pain and other symptoms in difficult fibromyalgia patients.