Throughout the world many different methods were used during surgery. The most common was the use of anesthesia, but it was used only in surgery that no complications were expected. In other parts of the world other practices were used such as in China. The use of anesthesia was determined by the symptoms of the patient or in the Buddhist and Confucius lifestyles. Others sought surgical treatments through the use of herbs, acupuncture (use of needles), cupping (cups that creat suction on the body), meditation (calming the mind), and tai chi (exercise using using slow motion). 

Positions in India, use cannabis and other herbs to sedate a patient during surgery. 

Other methods would be using compression while a patient was undergoing cataract surgery in Assyria. 

A Greek surgeon used plant, mandrakes, boiled on wine which cause the patient to become unconscious. 

James Braid, a surgeon from Scotland used hypnosis in his healing sessions. Another surgeon Anton Mesmer from Austria, developed a technique which claimed the use of hypnosis relieved pain during surgery. 

Study shows the most patients that receive anesthesia were able to recall events that experienced pain.