Hypnosis is a modified state of consciousness that links the conscious and unconscious minds. In the context of chronic pain, hypnosis helps to control the intensity of the pain, to manage the pain and the emotions that accompany it, and helps patients to rediscover the resources that will enable them to mobilise and become active in their treatment.
David Ogez is a professor in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the Université de Montréal and a member of the QPRN. One of his research interests is to observe the effects and benefits of hypnosis in pain management. Drug treatments do not have the same effects or the same effectiveness in all people living with chronic pain. So it’s important to find tools that can help manage pain. Hypnosis is one such tool. Although its effectiveness varies from person to person, a percentage of people benefit greatly from it. Hypnosis has beneficial effects on pain, anxiety and stress, and seems to improve people’s quality of life by improving their physical abilities. This is the case of Maryse Aubin, a patient partner and participant in one of David Ogez’s research projects. The analgesic hypnosis she practices has enabled her to change the way she perceives her pain and to give it meaning. She points out, however, that practising and mastering hypnosis requires remarkable commitment, patience and assiduity in order to feel its effects.
