41 - Sunday, December 11, 1988 - North Shore News Permanent portable sought PAGE 46 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Good heaith can be matter of the mind CONTINUED GOOD health is, to a large degree, a matter of mind. By MICHAEL BECKER News Reporter Dr. Marlene Hunter, a. West Vancouver medical doctor, first linked mind and body in terms of hypnosis and health in 1971. As a doctor she had been dealing with young children daily in the emergency department at Lions Gate Hospita!. She regularly saw children whose injuries were often compounded by distress caused by the clinical environment they were thrust into. She saw the need for a better way to help patients work to con- . quer fear and pain, and ultimately found the answer in clinical hyp- nosis, Today approximately a third of her working day is spent helping patients, referred to her by other doctors, heal themselves through hypnotherapy. But said Hunter: “in an informal way, I use it all of the time with my patients.”’ A book she wrote on the subject of self-hypnesis and health, first published in 1984, is now well into its second printing. Psych Yourself In! outlines how people can con- trol individual physical symptoms by practising selif-hypnosis tech- niques. “Everyone can do it. The im- portant thing is the motivation. For example, if someone is really well motivated because of pain, they’d do very well.”’ The opening chapter of the book chronicles the case of a boy age 10 or 11 who came to Hunter with warts on both of his hands. The mother had brought the boy to Hunter because she had heard that hypnosis could be used to eliminate warts. Hunter saw the boy for two sessions. He booked to see her again in three weeks time, when he promised the warts would be gone. He returned after three weeks with hands free of warts, While the story seems incredible, Hunter stresses hnypnosis is not magic. She sees it as simply a means by which a person can focus attention in an ever-narrowing direction, so that everything out- side of that focus becomes more and more remote. Taking the time out daily for self-induced relaxa- tion and positive input are at the core of the successful application of the technique. Said Hunter: ‘‘There are certain- ly many instances where medica- tion is indicated. But if it’s some- thing that’s going to go on for a long time, and you know people can use the resources within themselves, you try to have people learn to help themselves.’” Hunter sees three broad categories of people who come to see her to learn self-hypnosis or for hypnotherapy: those who are des- perate for relief from some physi- cal condition and are looking for a magic cure; those who want to stop controlling symptoms with drug treatments; and those who are seeking a better way to cope with fife. Hunter offers stress, weight management and smoking workshops on a regular basis at her West Vancouver office. An in- formation lecture, introducing the three workshops, is held on the first Saturday ef each month at 1411 Bellevue Ave. The observed link between the mind and physical symptoms, once relegated to the realm of pseudo- science, is currently at the forefront of scientific investigation. Said Hunter: ‘‘Most work is be- ing done in the area of psychobiology. Researchers have definitely established a link be- tween thought, behavior and emo- tions with physical reaction. The whole research into brain chemis- try and brain behavior has just taken off in the last five years. It’s very exciting for us.”’ 2 Piece Dresses . Famous makes NEWS photo Cindy Gellamy WEST VANCOUVER’S Dr. Martene Hunter, author of Psych Yourself In!, has 8 hit on her hands. The book, available at most book stores, is in its second printing. Hunter practises hypnotherapy and teaches self- bypmosis. The book outlines the connections between hypnosis and health. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS ON) THE NORTH SHORE | “WALK TO BETHLEHEM” experience the first CHRISTMAS and be escorted through six living scenes. Truly a unique CHRISTMAS experience. Great for the whole family and it’s free. DATE: Sunday, Dec. 18 TIMES: Join a tour anytime between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm Refreshments served “@LORIA” — A special Christmas message in music and drama. Christmas Eve DATE: Saturday, Dec. 24 TIMES: Two performances 6:30 pm 8:00 pm Babysitting available at 6:30 performance “CHRISTMAS SUNDAY SERVICE” DATE: Dec. 25 TIME: 10:30 am WEST VAN t BAPTIST CHURCH 450 Mathers Ave. West Vancouver 922-0911