Hypnosis Throughout History

• Hypnosis can be traced all the way back in history to the time of Buddha and eastern philosophy.

• Its techniques have been practised throughout history.

• Many references to the practice of hypnosis start with Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) and his practice of mesmerism and animal magnetism.

• Nineteenth century hypnosis is believed to have been established with Scottish surgeon James Esdaile (1808 – 1859), who performed many surgical amputations without anaesthetic and claimed to hypnotise his patients.

• Along with Esdaile, James Braid (1795 – 1860), a Scottish surgeon, who is considered one of the fathers of hypnosis, coined the modern term hypnosis (sleep process).

• During the 20th century many different medical and psychological practitioners experimented with the use of hypnosis to varying degrees. Emile Coué (1857-1926) was one of the first early 20th century practitioners.

• Today, many modern hypnosis practitioners study and use the techniques developed and used by Milton Erickson (1901-1980).

• There have been many practitioners of hypnosis throughout history.

• Instead of having them all listed here for you to read about, you will need to search the Internet for information on the history of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, along with the major contributing practitioners.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_hypnosis