Hypnosis within a psychospiritual approach in the case of a woman diagnosed with dystonia

This case report describes a psychospiritual intervention utilizing hypnosis with a client seeking help for problems with involuntary movement of the right arm and hand, accompanied by a great deal of pain. Doctors had diagnosed her condition as dystonia with the presumption that it was primarily physical in nature. She came to Carolinas Integrative Health seeking an integrative approach to her problem, one that brings together conventional and complementary medicine. The client was referred to the author by the Medical Director for a mind/body/spirit approach, including hypnosis. Initial evaluation suggested there might be a psychogenic component to the problem. The client also revealed a spiritual worldview, theistic in nature. Utilizing hypnosis, together with a process the author calls "Centering in Self," the client's spiritual beliefs and resources were accessed and utilized in bringing about resolution of pain and almost complete cessation of involuntary movements.