Pain, Dental Chickens, and Self-Hypnosis – What?

It’s not often that I get to practice what I preach. After all, it’s been years since I suffered from panic attacks and social anxiety. But, lucky me, I just had the opportunity to “trance” myself into a blissful state of relaxation, better known as self-hypnosis.

Let me back up a bit. You see, I am a fairly fearless person. I don’t like earthquakes, floods, or fires, but don’t really face those disasters on a daily basis. I’m not a daredevil, but I do enjoy a rough and tumble carnival ride, now and again.

However, I do not now, nor have I ever, liked dental offices. I was going to say “dentists,” but I’m sure that behind their glistening teeth, crooked smiles, and demonic eyes, they probably are, in all probability, human beings with feelings. So, okay, I’m not going to admit to being afraid of dentists. Yes, and if you believe that, then I really don’t find clowns creepy.

My tooth started throbbing a few months ago, but I was given a reprieve with some antibiotics. The “d” mentioned that, in time, I would probably need a root canal. I can’t stand drugs. In most instances, the side effects are worse than the symptoms. I will seek, until I find, an herbal or homeopathic substitute whenever possible. But, to avoid the dreaded root canal, I succumbed, well, actually, grabbed the prescription and joyfully handed it to my pharmacist. My life had been spared, my sentence, commuted, I was home free.

After ten days, I knew the antibiotics had worked. My tooth felt normal. I bravely ate walnuts, apples, and anything else I could find to test the little warthog. No pain. No sensitivity. No throbbing. I had won. I had beaten back the grim reaper. I felt victorious. La de da.

Unfortunately, my triumph was transitory. Two months later, and just a few days ago, the throbbing pain was back. I chewed some baby aspirin, applied some Orajel to my inflamed gums, and avoided eating anything on the left side of my mouth. But, the pain continued. I was now taking aspirin by the handful. I stopped eating. I gargled with salt water (seemed like a good idea at the time). Nothing helped. This time, I was doomed.

Okay, worst case scenario: I go to the “d” and he gives me another prescription for antibiotics. I can live with that.

Right? Wrong…that was not to be. Once he had me in his torture chamber, I mean, chair, all bets were off. As he evaluated my x-rays, I evaluated the state of my nerves. Trembling hands, racing heart, pounding headache…not the signs of a person “in control.”

“Hey,” I thought out loud, “I’m a hypnotherapist…I can handle this.” I stopped blathering (lest the little men in the white jackets haul me away), and I immediately started to breathe deeply. In through my nose, hold, out through my mouth. By my third breath, I could feel my muscles relax, my nerves unwind, and my mind fog begin to lift. I told myself that I would remain calm no matter what the “d” told me. I would enjoy the experience because I would be mentally elsewhere. Hawaii is nice this time of year. When the “d” came back and confirmed my worst fears, I was completely calm and coherent. No more medications for me. It was “show time” and the root canal had a starring role.

“Go for it,” I uttered with so much conviction that even the “d” was startled. Obviously he was prepared for battle. In my “relaxed” state, the Novocaine shots didn’t hurt, and the drilling, chipping, and grinding didn’t phase me since I was busy building sand castles on the warm, white sands in Hawaii, sipping on a strawberry Pina Colada.

Oh, the wonders of self-hypnosis. It empowers us with the freedom to explore our imagination until we find our perfect escape route. For me, it was Hawaii, for you, it might be an island, a tropical rain forest, or Disneyland.

I may not use self-hypnosis as often as I once did, but, like a dear, trusted old friend, it’s always there when I need it. I can even say the word “dentist” now with having the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stick straight up.

Does self-hypnosis work? Oh,YES IT DOES, and, once again, it saved my life…or, at least my tooth.

Where to go from here:

• Self-Hypnosis Explained
• Hypnosis: The Pain Solution
  
• Hypnosis in the Relief of Pain
  
• Instant Self-Hypnosis