International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

HYPNOSIS IN DENTISTRY 291
personal pronouns. It may feel strange to record a tape without using the `I want
you to...' mode, but for the listener, hearing just the ideas and suggestions is
empowering. Because the brain does not easily compute `no' in the hypnotic state,
it is more effective to offer positive suggestions. For example, rather than saying
`don't forget to ¯oss daily', `be sure to ¯oss daily to keep your gums healthy', is
more likely to produce the desired response.
RELAXATION IS JUST A BREATH AWAY
When a patient is obviously anxious about being in the dental treatment room and
wants a quick procedure for experiencing a relaxing hypnotic state, the 5-minute
relaxation exercise, developed by the author in 1982, is offered. The patient does
this hypnotic exercise before the dental procedure is initiated. There is no need for
the doctor to be present while the patient is experiencing the calming affects.
Copies of this tape can be given to patients to practice at home, or the tape can be
listened to as the ®rst part of the dental visit.
I. INTRODUCTION
For the next ®ve minutes, experience a uniquely effective technique to enjoy a
hypnotic trance. Simply listen to the suggestion, follow the instruction and be
pleasantly surprised by the effect.
II. INDUCTION
A. Tension:
Focus attention on the hands. Put the heels of the hands together and let the ®ngers
touch each other. Raise the hands to the height of the jaw, elbows away from the body.
Press the hands together. Press tight enough to feel the tension in the ®ngers; hands;
arms; shoulders; neck; clench the teeth; feel the tension around the jaw, face, head.
Squint the eyes, wrinkle the forehead. Press tighter.
Feel that tension!
B. Relief:
Now, relax: hands down, eyes closed. Take a deep breath through the nose and hold it,
now gently release the air. Nice and comfortable, pleasantly relaxed. Lips together,
jaw loose, limp and relaxed. With eyes closed, arms and legs in a comfortable
position, let the body sink gently into the chair. As the tension drains from the top of
the head to the tips of the ®ngers, become aware of relaxed muscles around the head;
temples; forehead; eyebrows; eyes; nose; cheeks; lips; chin; jaw; ears; neck;
shoulders; arms; hands; ®ngers.