Broadcast every Sunday morning on C8, the program “Le mag qui fait du bien” presented by Karine Arsène, offers viewers “52 minutes of advice, encouragement and testimonials to help find the keys to happiness. Spirituality, science and alternative experiences will be there“. In any case, this is how the concept is presented. on the Canal Plus website.
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Sunday, June 5, columnist Kevin Finel spoke about osteoarthritis and the chronic pain it causes. In particular, he said: “we can’t do much at the medical level” before continuing on the capacities of hypnosis to treat pain.
After a quick search, it is possible to understand why Kevin Finel had every interest in talking about self-hypnosis* on a set that did not oppose any contradiction. (*Self-hypnosis is hypnosis applied to oneself).
DreamMachine
Director ofARK (Academy of Research and Knowledge in Ericksonian Hypnosis), Kevin Finel is also the co-manager of the company DREAM MACHINE TECHNOLOGY. His company markets the “DreamMachine“, a device which, according to the manufacturer, “allows you to easily accompany your mind to various altered states of consciousness, which will range from simple states of relaxation or deep meditations to psychedelic experiences worthy of shamanic rituals...”. In short, flashing light bulbs sold for €440 after a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than €338,000 (Archive).
At the bottom of the page of the site, we note the presence of the logo of INREES (Institute for research on extraordinary experiences). Institute linked to Natacha Calestrémé, controversial specialist in occult sciences as we have revealed in this article.
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We contacted Kevin Finel to ask him if his statements on C8 had a link with the product he markets. He replies: “The Dream machine has no therapeutic action, it does not offer to reduce pain: there is no link here. The object of the Dream Machine is the exploration of states of consciousness, it allows for example to experience meditative or creative states. Originally the process was used by artists for inspiration“.
Although the name of the product is never mentioned in the show, the term hypnosis does appear on the site in the experiences offered.
During the presentation of the Dream Machine at the Paris fair in 2022, its co-creator Brice Battung, also presented it as a “hypnosis device” at the microphone of ActuMag.fr:
Amazon sales boost
Author of the book “Explore Your Brain’s Capabilities With Self-Hypnosis: 45 Everyday Experiments” at Leduc editions, Kevin Finel saw his sales jump to number 1 in the Amazon rankings the day the show aired.
In April 2022, a user was already wondering about the commercial practices of Kevin Finel and his role as a columnist on C8.
Hypnosis, arthritis and pain
As for his comments on osteoarthritis, Kevin Finel tells us: “What I was saying on this show is that you can reduce pain with hypnosis. Hypnosis makes it possible to modulate the parameters of subjectivity. I took the example of osteoarthritis as an illustration: many people live with this pain and take painkillers that will not treat the cause, but just reduce the painful sensation. This poses, among other things, problems of addiction to these painkillers and hypnosis can be a good alternative: many doctors teach self-hypnosis to their patients to help them in this regard.” .
INSERM published in 2017 an article on osteoarthritis explaining that research has led to the discovery of new therapeutic targets that lead to the development of targeted treatments aimed at halting the progression of the disease. The institute points out that some treatments are being evaluated. Hypnosis is not one of them.
On its site, the French Society of Rheumatology Explain : “The management of osteoarthritis includes the prevention and treatment of pain. Osteoarthritis pain is treated with analgesics, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) orally or topically, or with intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid except for individual contraindications. We can also offer rest splints to immobilize the joint during the painful period. Prevention of the onset and worsening of osteoarthritis is based on physiotherapy and regular physical activity, adapted to maintain muscle strength.. The treatment of osteoarthritis also requires care, individualized according to the site of the affected joint. Obesity should be avoided and other risk factors managed” . Hypnosis is not mentioned anywhere in the symptomatic treatments. Same story in the VIDAL.
In a 2018 report, the Academy of Medicine draws up an exhaustive list of recommendations for the management of patients with chronic pain. According to the academy, nearly 20 million French people (about 30% of the adult population) suffer from chronic pain that resists conventional analgesic treatments. At no time is hypnosis recommended in the treatment of pain.
The limits of hypnosis
According to the Curie Institutehypnosedation consists of to combine hypnosis with low doses of sedatives or local anesthesia. It is used as an alternative to general anesthesia during certain procedures, particularly in breast surgery. Also according to the institute, hypnosis would reduce post-operative pain and reduce the consumption of analgesics.
In a study published by Stanford University, researchers have demonstrated neural changes in hypnotized patients. But they point out that only about 10% of the population is “highly hypnotizable”. Out of 545 patients, only 36 had high test scores”of hypnotizability“. Finally, the study authors conclude that further research is needed before such therapy can be implemented.
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