Hypnotherapy can alleviate or improve a wide range of problems, including behavioral problems, chronic pain, depression, addictions, facial neuralgia, headaches, osteoarthritis, phobias, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, traumatic memories, and whiplash. It can also be used as an adjunct to surgical anesthesia. Due to the susceptible state of someone undergoing hypnosis, it is imperative to use the services only of therapists trained and certified by the American Institute of Hypnotherapy, the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Assn. Or the National Guild of Hypnotists.

Hypnotherapy utilizes suggestion and altered states of consciousness to treat a wide range of health conditions and to bring about positive behavioral changes. Under hypnosis, the patient has a decrease in sympaathetic nervous system activity, decreased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination, a lowered blood pressure and heart rate, and an increase in certain types of brain wave activity, all of which combine to produce a state of deep relaxation.

A study in 1989 reported an increase in pain tolerance of 113% in patients with chronic pain. Studies have also shown positive effects on the immune system, increasing immunoglobulin levels in children and increased white blood cell activity.