In the 1800's, hypnosis was widely practiced by physicians, particularly in Europe. In days before pain-relieving drugs were standard fare, it was used as an anesthetic and analgesic.

Various forces led to its going underground--or actually "on stage," since stage hypnotists kept it alive during the early part of this century. The widespread availability of chemical anesthesia and analgesics was a strong factor.

Another factor in the demise of hypnotherapy as a theraputic tool was Sigmund Freud's disenchantment with it. Freud admited in his writings that he is not very good at hypnosis -- undoubtedly one reason he quit using it.

An advocate of hypnotherapy, Dr. Spillman's own experience with thousands of patients over 25 years is that this doesn't happen. He strongly believes that if a symptom is associated with a highly emotional event the patient's past, hypnosis can remove the symptom permanently, with no side effects.

However, if the symptom is merely a coping mechanism for a negative event or circumstance in the life of the patient (e.g., a bad marriage), "the hypnosis simply will not work without dealing with the trauma itself."

The idea that hypnosis is harmful has now been discounted. David Spiegel, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, said, "Physicians often worry that hypnosis involves significant risks to patients. Actually, the phenomenon is not dangerous and has fewer side effects than even the most benign medications."