Can Hypnotherapy Help Tame Autoimmune Flare-Ups? (Yes!)

Living with an autoimmune condition can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster. One day, you’re feeling okay, and the next, a flare-up knocks you down—often without warning. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes downright discouraging.

While managing symptoms with diet, medications, and lifestyle changes is common, many people are now turning to mind-based approaches like hypnotherapy to help navigate the ups and downs of autoimmune diseases. But does it actually help? Let’s dive in.

What Exactly is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a guided process that uses hypnosis to help you reach a deeply relaxed state where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions. In this state, you can work on reducing stress, managing pain, and even reshaping how your brain perceives symptoms.

If hypnosis makes you think of stage shows or mind control, don’t worry—that’s not what this is! Hypnotherapy is a legitimate therapeutic technique used to support healing, both physically and emotionally. And when it comes to autoimmune conditions, stress relief is key.

Stress and Autoimmune Diseases: The Missing Link

Ever notice how stress makes your symptoms worse? That’s because when your body is constantly in “fight or flight” mode, it releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can trigger inflammation and suppress immune function. Over time, chronic stress can contribute to more frequent and severe flare-ups.

Research shows that managing stress effectively can lead to fewer symptoms and better overall health. In one study, 75% of participants reported fewer flare-ups when they actively worked on stress reduction. This is where hypnotherapy comes in—it’s designed to help you shift out of stress mode and into a calmer, more balanced state.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help Autoimmune Flare-ups

During a hypnotherapy session, you’re guided into a relaxed state using techniques like deep breathing and visualization. Once you’re in that state, the hypnotherapist may use positive suggestions or imagery tailored to your needs.

For example, if you struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, you might visualize your immune system calming down and working in harmony rather than attacking your joints. If anxiety is a major trigger for your symptoms, a hypnotherapist might guide you through a relaxation exercise that helps retrain your nervous system’s response to stress.

Over time, these techniques can help you:

• Reduce stress and anxiety (which can trigger flares)

• Improve pain management

• Boost relaxation and better sleep

• Feel more in control of your body’s responses

  
  

What the Science Says

While research on hypnotherapy for autoimmune diseases is still growing, studies on chronic conditions provide some promising results:

• One study found that patients with fibromyalgia (often linked to autoimmune issues) experienced a 50% reduction in pain after hypnotherapy.

• Another study showed that hypnotherapy significantly decreased anxiety levels in patients with chronic illnesses, with more than half reporting improved emotional well-being.

• Research on IBS (another condition with immune and nervous system involvement) found that hypnotherapy led to long-term symptom relief in 70–80% of patients.

  
  

While it’s not a magic cure, these findings suggest that hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for managing both the emotional and physical toll of autoimmune conditions.

Real-Life Stories: A New Approach to Flare-Ups

I've seen many incredible healing journeys over the years, including one client who'd been dealing with lupus for years, constantly battling fatigue, joint pain, and anxiety about when the next flare-up will hit. After trying everything from dietary changes to meditation, she decided to give hypnotherapy a shot.

At first, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But after a few sessions, she noticed something surprising—she felt more in control. Her pain didn’t disappear overnight, but she learned techniques to calm her nervous system, shift her mindset, and ease her symptoms. She started seeing her body as an ally rather than an enemy, and soon, symptoms started to fade and flare-ups were few and far between.

You can read all about her story here, along with other stories about clients who used hypnotherapy to help autoimmune flare-ups and other chronic conditions like arthritis, migraines, back pain, IBS, and fibromyalgia.

Addressing the Skepticism: Is Hypnotherapy Legit?

A lot of people hear “hypnotherapy” and assume it’s just a gimmick. And sure, there’s plenty of stage hypnosis out there that makes it seem like mind control. But clinical hypnotherapy is entirely different—it’s an evidence-based practice used by therapists, psychologists, and doctors to help with everything from chronic pain to PTSD.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that hypnosis makes you lose control. In reality, it’s the opposite. You’re fully aware the entire time, and you can choose to come out of the trance whenever you want. Hypnotherapy isn’t about someone “doing something to you”—it’s about guiding your mind to a place where it can help itself heal.

How to Incorporate Hypnotherapy into Your Healing Journey

If hypnotherapy sounds like something you’d like to try, here are a few steps to get started:

1. Find a qualified hypnotherapist. Look for someone trained in working with autoimmune conditions (you're in the right place!).

2. Be open about your health history. Share your symptoms, triggers, and goals for therapy so they can tailor sessions to your needs.

3. Use it alongside other stress-management tools and treatments. Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy, meaning it can be done alongside your doctors treatment plan, or combined with stress management practices like mindfulness, breathwork, and gentle movement practices like yoga.

4. Practice self-hypnosis at home. Many therapists teach techniques you can use on your own between sessions to reinforce the benefits.

The Bigger Picture: Beyond Just Flare-Ups

While hypnotherapy can be a great tool for managing flare-ups, its benefits often go beyond just symptom relief. Many people find that it helps them:

• Cultivate emotional resilience

• Improve sleep quality

• Make better lifestyle choices (like healthier eating and movement)

• Strengthen their mind-body connection

And when you feel more in tune with your body, it’s easier to recognize what it needs—whether that’s more rest, different foods, or a shift in mindset.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy isn’t a cure for autoimmune diseases, but it can be a game-changer when it comes to managing stress, reducing symptoms, and improving overall well-being. If you feel like you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with flare-ups, it might be worth exploring.

At the end of the day, the best healing approach is one that works for you. If hypnotherapy helps you feel more in control of your health, that alone makes it a valuable tool in your wellness journey.

Ready to give it a try? Approach it with an open mind—you might be surprised at what your subconscious can do!