Treatment of cervical headache with hypnosis, suggestive therapy, and relaxation techniques.

Abstract

Abstract The effectiveness of combined hypnotic suggestive therapy and relaxation techniques in the control of cervical headache unaccompanied by discopatia or damage to the spinal cord was tested in two groups of 12 and 14 patients each. Each of the nine treatment sessions was 45 minutes long and was divided into three stages: (1) group therapy with nonspecific suggestions; (2) individual treatment with specific suggestions; and (3) repeat group therapy. In addition, patients were instructed to perform relaxation exercises twice daily at home (Schultz program). Of the 23 patients who completed treatment, all except one (95.66%) reported significant improvement in their condition. Follow-up after three and ten months indicated the continued effectiveness of the treatment: 52.17% of the 23 patients remained symptom-free and 43.49% showed mild improvement.