Hypnosis is being used as an aid to treat some medical conditions.
A man suffering from bleeding into a knee joint following an accident had endured a significant amount of pain. Under hypnosis, he had blood drawn by needle. Later, he suffered from stiffening of the joint and could not bend his leg. He now receives frequent treatment under hypnosis.
Under the instruction from the doctor, the patient falls deeper and deeper into a hypnotic state. The doctor then manipulates the muscle while the patient remains hypnotised.
Now when you bend your knee, you'll find the muscles get softer and softer and softer and you can pull your knee up higher than you ever did before.
Still deeply relaxed and with his eyes shut in a complete state of relaxation, the doctor instructs the patient to stand up and bend his leg. When seated again, the doctor tells him when to wake up, his eyes will no longer feel heavy and he will feel very well and free from pain.
After coming out of hypnotic trance, the patient remarks.
I felt very happy.
Before having the hypnotic treatment, the patient had undergone physiotherapy but feels that it did not good. The hypnosis however meant he did not feel the pain.
The doctor believes that if sufficient time is given and the need is there, hypnosis should work to some degree with every patient.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 24 April 1968. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.
