Hypnosis/hypnotherapy-  

is a time honored treatment that has a long history stretching back over a century in the US.  There is evidence it can be helpful in pain (Integr Cancer Ther 2015 Jan; 14(1):5-15).  Self hypnosis training results in significant reduction in chronic low back pain (Eur J Pain 2015 Feb;19(2):271-80).  Mechanisms research support the efficacy and positive side effect profile of hypnosis, and that multiple neurophysiological processes are influenced by hypnosis to interrupt pain.  There is some evidence in meta-analysis that hypnosis does help significantly with many aspects of post operative pain.   Cancer pain treatment is aided by hypnosis.  Fibromyalgia in a randomized trial does exhibit some improvement in sleep and global impression of change (Int J Clin Exp Hypn 2013;61(1):111-23).  The Cochrane analysis of hypnosis did NOT show effectiveness for smoking cessation (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct 6;(10).  Hypnosis is not covered by some insurances including Aetna despite the positive evidence.  However hypnosis by a practitioner may be expensive, therefore promoting more self-hypnosis training. 

Painbytes Assessment: One thumb up.  Modest gains in certain types of pain or other measures affecting chronic and some acute pain states