-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
cutaneous system
warts
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
Little expression of hate; belief in ugliness. (Hay, 1984, p. 188)
Many people with warts have hot, sweaty hands and feet. The sweat glands implicate the sympathetic nervous system. (Locke, 1986, p. 176)
therapies
imagery:
finding the seed (Chavez)
affirmation:
(Skin) I lovingly protect myself with thoughts of joy and peace. The past is forgiven and forgotten. I am free in this moment. (Hay, 1984, p. 183)
(Warts) I am the love and the beauty of life in full expression. (Hay, 1984, p. 188)
theotherapy:
(skin problems) Dionysus, Heracles, Orestes, Pelops (Lemesurier, p. 115)
hypnotherapy:
It was suggested to 22 volunteers of mean age of 22 years old that their warts would disappear if they imagined them tingling for a few minutes each day. Half received the suggestion after a formal hypnotic induction procedure and the other half (controls) received the suggestion along with a method called 'focused contemplation'. Hypothesis presented that the relatively greater effectiveness of the hypnotic treatment may have been due to its 'believed-in efficacy.' (Locke, 1986, p. 177)
Daily hypnosis on 32 subjects with warts of 18 months average duration showed 56% responding satisfactorily to treatment over an average of 9.5 sessions. Palmar and plantar warts responded poorly to hypnotherapy, while common warts on the other areas of the body were more responsive. (Locke, 1986, p. 176)
34 children were treated by hypno-suggestion. In 1-3 hypnosis sessions treatment was successful 100% of the time for flat warts. In 23 children with vulgar and flat warts complete cure was achieved. Treatment was less effective for periungual and plantar warts. In 11 children hypnosuggestive treatment produced poor or no effect. Warts disappeared within 1 week to 2-3 months. No correlation was found between effectiveness of treatment and depth of hypnotic trance. (Locke, 1986, p. 178)
A localized tumor that is virus-induced can be caused to disappear by hypnosis . Findings suggest that hypnosis has a general effect on host response to the causative virus. (Locke, 1986, p. 176, 179)
suggestion:
Witchcraft, warts, and wisdom: the power of suggestion. If therapy is properly applied, be it salicylic acid plaster or a grasshopper bite, so as to inspire hope and confidence, the causative emotional tension is neutralized. The favorable climate for the virus' growth is eliminated. Only by assuming the chemical effects of emotional stress play a part in the etiology of warts is it reasonable to explain the effectiveness of suggestion in their treatment. (Locke, 1986, p. 175)
Magic treatment fortifies and supplements suggestion by employing mechanical manipulations causing trauma (which alone may cause the disappearance of warts). Results from magic, suggestion, or spontaneous remission are causatively linked with a change in the host of the warts. Unless the host overcomes all the invaders, the warts return sooner or later. (Locke, 1986, p. 176)
Area diagrams as a suggestive tool for children: With a pencil, carefully trace an outline of the hands and wrist (or wherever). The child is told to mark off on the drawing the exact location and approximate size of each wart, and when finished to send the diagrams to the doctor, who will examine his drawings carefully. (A bland or colorful topical medication may or may not be ordered for use at home after the drawings are made). The doctor writes back in a formal style directly to the child that the drawings were examined and the warts counted. If desired, the doctor may add that the paper was thrown in the fire and all burned up and that in 3-4 weeks the warts should disappear. (Locke, 1986, p. 177)
Results seem to be better in children than adults. Verrucae planae juveniles respond to treatment by suggestion in a higher percentage of cases and within a shorter time than verrucae vulgares. However, the average duration of untreated warts is more than 10 times longer than of warts treated by suggestion. (Locke, 1986, p. 176)
Cures reported using hypnosis, psychotherapy, suggestion for venereal warts: Methods were direct suggestion, hypnoanalysis, waking suggestion, and dream interpretation by the patient. (Locke, 1986, p. 152)
Vasomotor changes which occur following nonspecific hypnotic suggestions, and operant conditioning were found to be effective. (Locke, 1983, p. 153)
Hypnosis to treat the immunodeficient state showed complete response with no recurrences after 8 month follow-up. (Locke, 1983, p. 153)
Suggestion or charming of warts were considered in an experiment and found that it did not succeed. Hypothesis was that success of treatment of warts by suggestion was because warts have a limited life, and treatment initiated near the end of this life results in cure. (Locke, 1986, p. 176)
psychotherapy:
Whatever happens to the skin corresponds to an inner process. The diverse functions of the skin (protection, contact, expression, excretion, respiration, temperature regulation, sexuality, etc.) are associated with a common theme that alternates between the two poles of separation and contact. Something is bursting through our limits, or trying to armor an inner sensitivity. Questions to ask in the event of skin problems:
» What is it that is getting under my skin? What is trying to burst through barriers?
» How easy/difficult is it to make contact with other people? Do I desire intimacy?
» Have I condemned myself to solitary confinement? What is useful about this?
(Dethlefsen, p. 162, 170)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: cutaneous system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
skin metaphors and correlations
converting a signal to a symptom
behavior modification techniques
imagery: precautions
imagery: guidelines
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
hypnotherapy
process paradigm
footnotes