There has been at least one study involving hypnotherapy and arthritic conditions. In this instance (1), reported levels of pain, anxiety, and depression, and plasma levels of beta-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin were measured in 19 arthritic pain patients before and after hypnosis.

Correlations were found between levels of pain, anxiety, and depression and following hypnotherapy, there were clinically and statistically significant decreases in pain, anxiety, and depression and increases in beta-endorphin-like immunoreactive material. The study reveals that hypnotherapy may well play an important role in conquering rheumatic conditions including gout.

(1) Biochemical correlates of hypnoanalgesia in arthritic pain patients. Domangue BB; Margolis CG; Lieberman D; Kaji H – J Clin Psychiatry Jun 1985, 46 (6) p235-8,