Of course, we know that this is not a new thing, the medical fraternity simply need a reminder!

It’s more than likely that your aware of Milton Ericksons use of hypnosis to control pain; both for himself and his patients. One time, when at a loss as to how to help a rather angry and aging lady, racked with the pain of terminal cancer, he used a simple but very powerful distraction technique.

It went roughly like this: “Imagine, if you would, a huge tiger appearing in that doorway over there, licking its chops and intent on having you for its next meal …. do you think you’d feel the pain at that moment?”. Of course, the lady’s pain was sidelined at the mere thought of this giant feline! Erickson taught her to be aware of the ominous purring of the cat, which lay beneath her bed when the pain was peaking.

I for one think that’s so elegantly, simplistically amazing.

Dan Elliott.