Hypnosis as an adjunct to medical care in the management of Burger's disease: a case report.

Burger's disease is a peripheral vascular disorder characterized by constricted blood flow, ischemic pain, and necrotizing tissue processes. This report describes the application of a brief hypnosis intervention in conjunction with standard medical procedures to increase peripheral blood flow in a patient with advanced Burger's disease. Using suggestions for foot warming and increased blood flow, substantial increases in surface foot temperature were obtained prior to and following an epidural sympathectomy. As a result, the procedure contributed to keeping necrotic tissue loss to a minimum, decreasing ischemic pain, and hopefully preventing the need for amputation. Treatment gains were maintained through discharge and at two month follow up. The results suggest that hypnosis may serve as a parsimonious, yet efficacious adjunct to standard medical care in the management of reduced peripheral blood flow in patients with Burger's disease. Further, it illustrates the feasibility of hypnosis as an adjunct treatment in busy, inpatient hospital settings.