Natural Healing Treatment: Hypnotherapy

Origins

The word hypnotherapy is based on the term hypnosis, which is derived from the Greek word hypnos meaning 'sleep'. The word hypnosis was invented in the 19th century by James Braid, a Scottish surgeon, who sometimes used the technique of mesmerism while performing operations.

He was not the only doctor to practise hypnotism at that time. In India, James Esdaile used it as the sole anaesthetic for many operations. This was in complete contravention to medical opinion at that time, since for over 50 years the practice and theory of mesmerism had been condemned.

Mesmerism

Mesmerism originated with Dr Franz Mesmer (1734-1815) who became convinced, from his research into the power and use of magnets, that magnetism existed as an unseen fluid that passed through and joined everything in the world. Magnets and powers of hypnosis seem to have been used for centuries whether in ancient Greece, by medicine men and witch doctors or by priests.

Mesmer believed that illness was precipitated when this force did not flow freely and that to cure ailments, the use of magnets was necessary to correct the flow. For a time his popularity increased in his practice in Vienna, but when unsuccessful cases occurred, he was criticized by the University and forced to leave the city.

After moving to Paris in 1778 he again found fame by having a clientele who came for the theatrical atmosphere and effects as well as to be cured. His patients were put into a trance by the combination of soft lights and music as they stood holding on to a container that held iron filings and water.

Dr Mesmer maintained that they men received the effects of the 'magnetism' while he held a rod made of iron. It is now thought that his strong personality, charisma and powers of suggestion were the source of any cures, with his patients actually being 'mesmerised'.

After investigation by the French medical profession and establishment, no scientific basis to his practice was found. They also did not approve of the methods he used and were aware of the scandal connected with his name. As a result his methods faded into obscurity.