Hypnosis

Often known as hypnotherapy, it describes a variety of techniques used by physicians, psychologists and other psychotherapists to bring the patient into a state of altered consciousness, deep relaxation or trance to help treat anxiety, panic attacks, addictions and many other psychological and somatic issues. 

Hypnosis has also been successfully employed as a substitute for prescription anesthesia. The method is based on the idea of the power of suggestion — that one's emotional state has a significant impact on one's physical condition, a principle that dates back to ancient Greece, India and Persia 

 In the late 18th century, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), a German doctor, introduced hypnosis — what he called mesmerism — into the medical community. 

Mesmer's theory was that when magnetic forces in all matter became unbalanced, illness occurred, and he believed that he could transfer the "animal magnetism" of his body to another by using magnets, iron rods, and "mesmerizing," or highly soothing, verbal suggestions that induced a trancelike condition. 

Regardless of the fact that the therapeutic ability of mind over matter and deep relaxation states like trance developed, Mesmer's ideas could not be scientifically proven by a French medical community committee of investigators including American statesman Benjamin Franklin and French physicist Josef de Guillotin.  Mesmer had been declared a quack and strongly discouraged to work in France. 

It was later, after Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, that the British ophthalmologist James Braid discussed Mesmer's theories with his patients and called the procedure hypnosis.Dr. Sigmund Freud, known as the father of modern medicine, used hypnosis in his 19th century practice but it was not until 1955 that the British Medical Association accepted hypnotherapy as a bona fide medical treatment. 

The American Medical Association first officially recognized hypnosis in 1958; that recognition subsequently led to the creation of several professional associations, including the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the American Institute of Hypnotherapy, members of which are physicists, psychologists, dentists, and other health professionals.

Postmodern hypnosis has been shown to help the body release endorphins and enkephalins (the body's naturally produced morphine-like chemicals to alleviate pain and promote a sense of well-being), improve circulation, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and generally lead to deep relaxation that helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and many kinds of diseases.
Many hypnotherapists say that the patient benefits most if he or she is willing to participate in the process of hypnosis and that people who are not willing cannot be hypnotized.    

Ericksonian hypnosis

Ericksonian hypnosis helps individuals develop deep trance states that are used for relaxation, stress reduction, problem-solving, and accessibility to the inner resources needed to contend with the continuing challenges of life. 

Hypnotic language patterns of Milton Erickson can be used in both day-to-day communication and in structured trance inductions.
NLP incorporates many of those hypnotic language patterns and underlying Erickson's research presuppositions, although it is a distinct field of study in itself.