Perhaps the most important lesson about pain is this: your body is sending you a signal you shouldn’t ignore. Pain is subject to many factors, including memories, expectations and emotions. The good news is that you can do something about all different kinds of pain – from simple to chronic.
Calmglow specializes in the treatment of pain and nervous tension with SCENAR (see box at right).
What follows are some general tips for dealing with pain.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain may be caused by damaged or inflamed nerves, muscles or blood vessels. If you try to guard against the pain, muscle tension and spasms can result. Eventually, your body can become locked into a vicious cycle that limits strength and flexibility in the painful area.
Self-Care Measures
You may not know exactly what is wrong, but your body does. Try to listen more, and tune into what is wrong under the pain. This discovery may break the negative spiral of chronic pain that grips you.
For All Kinds of Pain
Massage. Find a massage therapist who can separate the fibrotic muscle fibers, relaxing any muscles in spasm to increase circulation.
Mental Health. Consider working with a mental health practitioner who has pain management skills.
Diary. Record your level of pain every hour and see how it is related to the time of day, your mood, fatigue, stress, and what you are doing.
Make pain your friend. Once you hear and understand the basis of your pain, you may regain control of the pain and of your life.
Relax your body. The medical evidence is strong that relaxation techniques can reduce chronic pain.
Massage. Purchase books on self or couples massage, and practice techniques with a friend.
Exercise. Movement distracts you from pain and helps your body to release endorphins – natural painkillers.
Meditate. If you are constantly thinking about your pain, meditation can help you. One technique, called "mindfulness," encourages you to stay passively focused on your pain and just observe it. Meditators often realize you can control you pain.
Use guided imagery. Work with a trained profession, or purchase a book or tape.
Nurture yourself. At least half an hour a day doing some activity that gives you pleasure. Rediscover bow joyful your body can feel.
Water. Drink 6-8 glases of water daily. Pain is sometimes due to simple dehydration.
