%0 Journal Article
%T A New Technique for Attention Management and Somatosensory Processing in Hypnotherapy: Mental Access/Somatosensory Access (MASSA)
%A Eitan G. Abramowitz
%J Open Journal of Medical Psychology
%P 192-230
%@ 2165-9389
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojmp.2023.124012
%X <p>
	<span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">The author introduces a
new hypnotherapeutic technique termed ¡°Mental Access/Somatosensory Access¡±
(MASSA). MASSA is designed to utilize an external somatosensory stimulus in the
context of hypnotherapy, based on a Bottom-Up/Top-Down Paradigm, </span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">which</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> complements and mutually
reinforces hypnotic inductions by using imbedded suggestions. The intervention¡¯s
algorithm includes a combination of real-time stimulation through one of the
following somatosensory modalities: sensorimotor activation of the palms,
visual, auditory, vibration, thermal, olfaction or oropharyngeal. These
modalities are accompanied by guided hypnotic dissociation and suggestions.
Somatosensory stimulation amplifies patients¡¯ engagement in the procedure,
focusing their attention on a stimulus and on the hypnotic experience during
the<span> intervention. A stream of closed
questions with imbedded suggestions, presented by the therapist, is designed
using suggestive presuppositio</span>ns, termed by the author ¡°The Create and
Verify Principle¡± (CVP). This principle facilitates effe<span>ctive pacing and helps transform patients¡¯ sensory and mental expe</span>riences.
Imbedded suggestions followed by real-time stimulation, maintain a focus on the
somatosensory content, boost the hypnotic experience, and gradually combine
awareness of the somatosensory stimulation experience (Bottom-Up regulation)
with memory, imagination, emotions and meanings, for mental access of resources
and adaptive coping (Top-Down regulation). </span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">In the first par<span>t
of this article, the author briefly introduces the neurophysiological</span> mechanism behind the suggestive, somatosensory, attention-management
intervention and provides an example of a basic algorithm of the MASSA
technique. The second part includes clinical samples with scripts of successfully
treated patients, who experienced tension headache, psychogenic balance
disorder, tinnitus.</span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;\"></span></span> 
</p>
%K Attention
%K Somatosensory Stimulation
%K Imbedded Suggestions
%K Create and Verify Principle
%K Mental Access/Somatosensory Access (MASSA)
%K Hypnosis
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=128190