Australian of the Day Christopher Phoenix uses hypnotism to ease the pain of tattooing
LIKE a real-life Mandrake the Magician, this Brisbane man uses hypnotism to ease the pain of getting a new tattoo.
CHRISTOPHER Phoenix has an aversion to pain — other people’s, that is. Today the Brisbane hypnotist is building a reputation among local and international body artists as the man who can help their clients receive a tattoo without the normal suffering.
“I started studying and training myself in hypnosis when I was going through a period of insomnia about three years ago,” says Phoenix, 33.
“At the time I was a phlebotomist, collecting blood for medical purposes, and I had patients come in who had needle phobias or were worried about the pain. I’d do some of my mediations with them to just get rid of their fear — and it got results.”
Then a friend who was “covered in tattoos” suggested Phoenix do hypnosis for pain relief. “Prior to anaesthesia they used to use hypnosis for operations because they was no pain relief back in the day,” says Phoenix. “So it kind of made sense.”
After getting in touch with his friend’s tattooist — at The Painted Lady in Brisbane — Phoenix performed a trial on a person who was getting their thigh inked. “It was about five hours’ worth of needles and it was very successful,” says Phoenix. “I’ve since done about 30 more sessions.”
In many cases Phoenix says the client feels no pain at all while in some the pain is reduced. “But in the majority of cases there is no swelling or bleeding that’s normally associated with tattoos,” he says.
Today’s Australian of the Day has now extended his reach interstate and internationally.
“I have a guy in Las Vegas who wants to use my branding as well as a tattooist in the UK,” he says.
As his influence grows, Phoenix is eager to adapt hypnosis to other areas of pain management.
“I want to be able to help people with chronic pain — something that’s a little bit more philanthropic and can help more people than just those getting tattoos. That’s my plan.”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia to champion the Australian of the Day initiative which celebrates people in our neighbourhoods and communities who really make a difference to how we live and who we are. You can read all their stories at australianoftheday.com.au, where you can also nominate someone you know.
Originally published as Australian of the Day Christopher Phoenix uses hypnotism to ease the pain of tattooing
Fighting mind over matter
When it came to developing dementia in 2008, it was a matter of sooner – not later – for Kate who was preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday.
The woman with “the best job in the world”
ANDREA Mason is working hard to integrate elements of corporate Australia to create employment, support health and wellbeing, and tackle domestic violence in the community.