1. HYPNOSIS - some clinical techniques
Dr Jane Boroky
B.D.S. Dip Clin. Hyp.

2. My background: Graduated BDS in 1981
Country practice (mid north) 4 years
Cook Islands 4 years – remote areas and teaching
Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis – ASH 1992
Currently part time clinical tutor at Adelaide Dental Hospital with continuing private practice at St Peters Dental Clinic

3. Presentation Outline Progressive Relaxation Practical
Chiasson induction if time
Hypnotic language
My colleagues

4. Progressive relaxation - why?
Slow induction, easy for the ‘beginner’ therapist, builds rapport
Non-threatening, most people have some experience
Induction and deepening combined
Many benefits – life is fast, everyone is busy
Relaxed mind allows better focus and more effective therapy
Why?

5. Progressive relaxation – how?
Commence in sitting or supine position – get comfortable
Open or closed eyes, but eventually suggest eyes close
Breathe in , breathe out, pause
Let relaxation spread. Work up from toes. May need to tense each muscle before relaxing it
Once physically relaxed, move to mind relaxation

6. Progressive relaxation – how?
Empty mind of distractions
Use breathing as deepening technique
Imagine pleasant scene, immerse in it
Therapeutic suggestions
Reorientate

7. Any questions?

8. Induction practice In pairs:
Progressive muscle relaxation induction and deepening OR
Other induction and muscle relaxation as deepening
Relax the mind, focus on imagery
Give positive suggestion for the afternoon (or for life)
Reorient and debrief
Suitable for supine patient

9. Language in Therapy

10. What you may hear: “This won’t hurt a bit” “Just hang on” “Be brave”
“Don’t worry”
“Just relax”
“It’s all over”

11. What could you say:? “This won’t hurt a bit” “Just hang on” ?
“Be brave” ?
“Don’t worry” ?
“Just relax” ?
“It’s all over” ?
This won’t hurt a bit – might be a bit uncomfortable, will feel tight, hard, strong, might tickle, will press etc
Just hang on – Hold my hand, squeeze your teddy, breath gently, listen . . .
Be brave – This may be a bit uncomfortable, take a deep breath, wiggle your toes, It may feel like You can do this We have to concentrate for a minute
Don’t worry – really? Do something positive! concentrate, focus, imagine,
Just relax – might need more: This will be more comfortable if you relax the muscles, loosen your tongue, wiggle your fingers
It’s all over – I hope not! We have finished It is time to

12. Use of alternative language
In my practice we don’t have:
‘needles’, ‘pain’, ‘hurt’, ‘injections’, ‘drills’, etc
Some of the above terms have emotional associations for some patients
There are better and more relevant descriptions (and some ‘silly’ones)
Be aware of gender/power bias in language

13. We do have:
‘my toys’ or ‘my gadgets’
‘numbing solution’ or ‘sleepy medicine’
‘ticklish teeth’
For kids: ‘the fire engine’ (has a light, water, noise etc), the ‘vacuum cleaner’ (suction), ‘motor bike’ or ‘jet ski’ (slow speed hand piece) etc
Questions:
I wonder whether your lip or tongue will go numb first?
Can you hear your tooth snoring?

14. Examples of positive language
We:
‘fix teeth’
‘clean out decay’
‘make it more comfortable’
‘make your mouth feel nice and clean’
‘rebuild your tooth’
‘improve your smile’
‘get rid of left over roots/bits of tooth’
‘chase away the bugs’

15. Be creative: Find alternative terms for explanations and procedures
We can discover, explore, find out, improve
Avoid negatives: “don’t do . . .” and “try to “
Use questions: Are you curious . . .? I wonder . . .? What if ?

16. Use positive suggestions:
You can feel really pleased with yourself that . . .
You may be surprised how comfortable and relaxed you are as we go on with your treatment . . .
It would be interesting to see how quickly you heal Generally it only takes . . .
It’s amazing how time flies. In just an hour we have done . . .

17. Any questions?
Thank you for your attention!