SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS

     Suggestive therapeutics is a naturalistic form of hypnosis utilized by caregivers during physical treatments and during the early stages of sleep.  The idea is that certain physical therapies, such as massage, electrotherapy and manual therapy can induce hypnotic trance.  Edgar Cayce recommended that this natural trance state be used as a means of stimulating healing and addressing behavioral issues.  The first few minutes of sleep (the hypnogogic period) offers a similar trance state where the unconscious mind is open to suggestion.
     Because this technique utilizes trance states which are commonly associated with various physical therapies and sleep, the person providing the suggestions does not necessarily need to be a mental health professional trained in hypnosis.  In other words, suggestive therapeutics allows one to bypass training in learning formal hypnotic induction techniques.
     The content of the hypnotic suggestions should always be positive.  It is also important that the suggestions be relevant to the person's particular problems (whether physical disease, behavioral problems, etc.).
     Persons wishing to use this intervention should list some areas of concern and find ways of addressing these problems in a positive, affirmative manner.  If physical healing is involved, you may wish to work with your physician or health care professional in forming these suggestions.  In fact, health care professionals should be familiar with these techniques so as to apply them during therapy.