Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation, which involves selective focusing, receptive concentration, and minimal motor functioning. A National Institutes of Health Technology Panel found strong support for the use of hypnosis for the reduction of pain. Individuals can be taught to use hypnosis on themselves (self-hypnosis) by the Health Guardian, and the use of self-hypnosis can provide pain relief for up to several hours at a time.

   There are a variety of meditative practices, with the most studied one for chronic pain being mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life, a way of taking charge of your life, a way of doing something for yourself that no one else can do for you — consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, and the challenges and demands of everyday life.