Hypnosis and Biofeedback for Orofacial Pain Management

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce medical and dental practitioners to the benefits of cyberphysiologic strategies such as hypnosis and biofeedback in the care of oral-facial pain. Biofeedback is a valuable tool for pain management because the patient can gain control of autonomic subconscious activity through sensory feedback. Hypnosis has been shown to lessen the perception of pain, enhance relaxation, diminish or alleviate destructive habitual behaviors, as well as reduce fears, anxieties, and phobias. In the 1800s hypnosis was readily accepted as an addition to other medical treatments. When chemical anesthesia became available, the use of hypnosis waned. As a result, those who treat oral-facial pain have limited knowledge of the benefits of these modalities to a comprehensive treatment plan. This chapter provides simple ways to implement these chairside techniques which reduce the practitioners’ stress level while increasing patient compliance and improving their experience.