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Jessica Alba has some unique advice for other expectant moms. The 30-year-old actress recommends "hypnobirthing classes" -- which are increasingly popular among pregnant women. Hypnobirthing involves the use of hypnosis during childbirth. "It's different for everyone, although I do recommend the hypnobirthing classes," Alba told Us Weekly on Monday at the RIMOWA store opening in Beverly Hills. "I highly recommend it. It just makes you chill." The actress wasn't quite so "chill" before the birth of daughter Honor Marie, 2: "I was freaked out going into it my first time going into labor. Like what if I panic? What if I just freak out and I don't know what to do?" So is the second pregnancy easier for Alba? "Oh yeah! But a little bit harder on the body because my daughter still wants to be picked up. Ever since my belly popped, she really is on me!"...

Expectant mothers at a hospital in Greater Manchester will be able to try hypnobirthing, as part of an NHS trial. Tameside General Hospital is introducing the technique to women who want to take part. Studies have found self-hypnosis, which started in the United States, allows many women to give birth without pain, and without gas and air, it said. Women are not distracted from the pain but learn how to stay calm so their muscles relax. Full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13451637...

Pain is one of the few areas where hypnosis can be applied clinically in the absence of a broader treatment framework - although hypnosis allied to cognitive behavioural techniques may well be an extremely effective intervention. A number of studies have examined the effectiveness of hypnosis in treating pain, either when used alone or alongside cognitive behavioural therapy. Pain is one of the best-researched areas - there have been a number of meta-analyses (literally a study of studies - one of the most a reliable ways to find out if there is an effect) of hypnosis for pain control. Methods of pain control Hypnotic approaches to pain relief take three forms: Direct suggestion for symptom change Dissociative approaches - encourages clients to mentally 'go elsewhere' and leave the pain behind Resource utilisation - a more Ericksonian approach Meta-Analyses Meta-analyses are essentially studies of studies. Where individual studies can sometimes show contradictory results,...

North Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital evaluated the effectiveness of teaching guided imagery to acutely injured pediatric patients in the PICU, as compared to a one-on-one inquiry about pain-related experiences.