Imagine breathing freely without that familiar tightness in your chest. What if you could approach physical activity or challenging situations knowing your breathing would remain steady and calm?

Living with asthma often means navigating not just the physical symptoms, but the anxiety that comes with them. That constant awareness of your breathing, the worry about when the next episode might strike, the way stress seems to make everything worse.

Hypnotherapy offers a gentle approach that works alongside your medical treatment. It focuses on the mind-body connection, helping to reduce the anxiety and stress that can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. Many people discover they can develop a calmer relationship with their breathing and feel more in control of their responses to potential triggers.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to create a state of heightened awareness. Think of it as a deeply relaxed state where your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking.

During this relaxed state, your conscious mind steps back whilst your subconscious becomes more receptive. This is where many of our automatic responses live – including how we react to stress, anxiety, and physical sensations like breathlessness.

For asthma, hypnotherapy isn’t about controlling your condition through willpower alone. Instead, it’s about teaching your nervous system to respond differently to triggers. You might learn to recognise early signs of tension and address them before they escalate.

The process feels rather like a guided daydream. You remain aware and in control throughout, whilst your therapist helps you explore new patterns of thinking and responding. Many people find it surprisingly pleasant – a welcome break from the busy chatter of everyday thoughts.

It’s important to understand that hypnotherapy works alongside your medical treatment, never replacing prescribed medications or medical advice. Think of it as an additional tool in your toolkit for managing asthma.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Asthma?

Asthma operates through a complex interplay of physical and psychological factors. When airways become inflamed or constricted, the natural response is often anxiety or panic, which can further tighten breathing muscles and create a cycle of distress.

Your nervous system doesn’t always distinguish between a real threat and an imagined one. The anticipation of breathing difficulties can trigger the very stress response that makes breathing harder. It’s like your body preparing for a fire drill that never quite ends.

Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that people using hypnotherapy alongside medical treatment showed significant improvements in both subjective wellbeing and objective measures of lung function. A comprehensive review in Respiratory Medicine indicated that hypnotherapy particularly benefited those whose asthma had psychological triggers or stress components.

Hypnotherapy works by helping to calm this overactive stress response. Imagine your nervous system learning to whisper instead of shout when it encounters potential triggers. The tight grip of anxiety around your chest begins to soften, allowing your natural breathing rhythm to emerge more easily.

Sarah, a teacher in her thirties, found that after several sessions focusing on relaxation and breathing techniques, she began to notice less chest tightness during stressful school meetings. She gradually felt more confident about managing her breathlessness and anxiety without immediately reaching for her inhaler.

Studies suggest the most significant benefits occur when hypnotherapy addresses both the physical sensations and the emotional responses to asthma. However, individual results vary considerably, and success often depends on factors like the severity of symptoms, underlying triggers, and how well someone responds to hypnotic techniques.

What Happens in a Session for Asthma?

Your first session typically begins with a detailed conversation about your asthma history, triggers, and goals. Your therapist wants to understand not just when symptoms occur, but how they affect your daily life and what you’d most like to change.

The hypnotic part usually starts with progressive relaxation. You might focus on releasing tension from different parts of your body, paying particular attention to your chest, shoulders, and breathing muscles. Many people are surprised by how much tension they’ve been holding without realising it.

Your therapist might guide you through breathing exercises designed to promote calm, steady rhythms. These aren’t the same as medical breathing techniques – they’re about creating positive associations with the act of breathing itself. You might visualise your airways as calm, clear pathways or imagine breathing in soothing, healing air.

Some sessions focus on building confidence and reducing anticipatory anxiety. You might mentally rehearse challenging situations whilst maintaining that sense of calm control. The goal is to create new neural pathways that associate potential triggers with relaxation rather than panic.

Throughout the session, you remain completely aware and in control. If you needed to alert your therapist to any breathing difficulties, you could do so immediately. Many people find the experience so relaxing that they worry about falling asleep, but this rarely affects the session’s effectiveness.

Sessions typically last 50-60 minutes, with the hypnotic portion being around 20-30 minutes. You’ll often receive audio recordings to practice with at home, helping to reinforce the techniques between appointments.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry that hypnotherapy might make them lose control or become unconscious. In reality, you remain fully aware throughout the session and can choose to emerge from the relaxed state at any time. It’s more like being absorbed in a good book than being unconscious.

Some people believe they might reveal embarrassing secrets or be made to do things against their will. Hypnotherapy isn’t stage hypnosis – you can’t be compelled to do anything that conflicts with your values or comfort level. Your therapist’s role is to guide you toward your own goals, not to control your behaviour.

There’s also a misconception that hypnotherapy only works for “highly suggestible” people. Research by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy suggests that most people can benefit from hypnotic techniques, though the experience varies from person to person.

Finally, some expect immediate, dramatic results. Whilst some people notice changes quickly, hypnotherapy typically works gradually, building new patterns of response over time. It’s more like learning a new skill than receiving a quick fix.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Asthma?

The number of sessions varies significantly depending on your individual circumstances, the severity of your symptoms, and how your body responds to hypnotic techniques. Most people begin with a course of 6-8 sessions, scheduled weekly or fortnightly.

Some notice subtle changes after just 2-3 sessions – perhaps feeling calmer when thinking about potential triggers or finding it easier to relax their breathing muscles. Others need more time to develop new response patterns, particularly if anxiety has been closely linked with their asthma for many years.

Your therapist will typically review progress after the initial course and discuss whether additional sessions would be beneficial. Some people find occasional “top-up” sessions helpful during stressful periods or seasonal changes that might affect their asthma.

The goal isn’t to create dependency on the sessions, but to teach you techniques you can use independently. Many people develop a personal toolkit of breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and mental strategies they can draw upon when needed. Think of it as learning to be your own guide to calm, confident breathing.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

Hypnotherapy tends to work well for people whose asthma has stress or anxiety components. If you notice your breathing becomes more difficult during challenging situations, or if worry about your asthma sometimes makes symptoms worse, you might find this approach helpful.

It’s particularly suitable if you’re looking for techniques to manage the emotional side of living with asthma. Many people struggle with panic attacks triggered by breathing difficulties, or find that general stress management significantly impacts their symptoms.

The approach requires a willingness to practice techniques between sessions and engage actively with the process. If you’re very sceptical about mind-body approaches or prefer purely medical interventions, hypnotherapy might not be the best fit initially.

Most importantly, you should have your asthma properly managed medically before exploring hypnotherapy. This isn’t a replacement for inhalers, medications, or medical monitoring – it’s a complement to comprehensive asthma care.

What if you could wake up each morning without immediately checking how your breathing feels? Imagine approaching your day with confidence, knowing you have tools to stay calm and centered even when challenges arise.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Performance & Productivity.

Is Hypnotherapy as Effective Online?

This session can be conducted online from anywhere in the world—research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that online hypnotherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility from your own comfortable environment. 

Many clients find that being in their own space actually helps them relax more deeply. 

If after that initial session you feel hypnotherapy isn’t right for you, there’s no obligation to continue. 

Book your introductory session and discover whether this approach resonates with you.