On Pain
Pain in whatever form can be tiring, debilitating, frustrating, anger making and scary. It is hard for the sufferer, the carer/s, friends and colleagues. Sometimes all at once.
You may feel alone and misunderstood. It is quite likely you put on a brave face and have become good at faking well-being.
I have lived with and managed on-going problems and pain because I have an ileo-transverse pseudarthrosis with sacroiliac issues from an out of line pelvis plus scoliosis. I then had an SI fusion but during the operation a surgical screw pushed onto my L5 nerve root (you couldn't make it up).
This left me with permanent nerve damage; the symptoms of which range from foot drop, leg giving way, neuropathic pains, spasms and a whole gamut of other (often embarrassing stuff)(too much information?) issues. In December 2019 I had a spinal cord stimulator fitted to ease some of the nerve pains. Unfortunately this has caused extra different problems but my own protocol enables me to have a lovely (if challenging) life.
It would be my pleasure to share a variety of techniques with you for you to also have your best life possible. If this interests you please see 'your session'.
This left me with permanent nerve damage; the symptoms of which range from foot drop, leg giving way, neuropathic pains, spasms and a whole gamut of other (often embarrassing stuff)(too much information?) issues. In December 2019 I had a spinal cord stimulator fitted to ease some of the nerve pains. Unfortunately this has caused extra different problems but my own protocol enables me to have a lovely (if challenging) life.
It would be my pleasure to share a variety of techniques with you for you to also have your best life possible. If this interests you please see 'your session'.
Pain Words
What a strange effect words can have ~ pain for example. Just the word can almost make you hurt and if you already are then it can make it worse.
One of the most annoying things about pain is that it fills your thoughts and if you are suffering with chronic pain it takes over everything you do because you have to think about the affect it might have on you: if you’ll hurt more or if you are unable to participate in something. It is hard to be spontaneous when you hurt.
Another difficulty can be that if you haven’t got an obvious injury it can be difficult for people you associate with to understand how debilitating it can be. And if they see you smile on one day they tend to assume that all is well. They might have even said, "But you look okay." Or, "Go on, have a go." Or, "It is all controllable by your mind." Or, "Have you tried yoga, juicing, howling at the moon..."
How can hypnosis help?
When you are in the trance state your brain release endorphins, which are natural opiates. This creates the ‘feel good’ and reduces pain in a way that you control.
If you practise self-hypnosis you will find that you can gain control and whether you are aiming to reduce discomfort or heal you will be able to have a profound affect.
One thing to try that can help straight away is to be aware of your breathing. Pain can trigger a tendency to under-breathe or hold your breath (while you grimace).
Spend a few moments now thinking about how you are breathing. Try and breathe in a gentle flow without changing the speed of your in to your out-breath. It might help if you count and then you can breathe out for the same count as the in breath.
After a while gently extend the count of the out breath. Do this slowly ~ the aim is for double but work towards this gently.
Just trying this exercise might help you feel a little bit of control.
What a strange effect words can have ~ pain for example. Just the word can almost make you hurt and if you already are then it can make it worse.
One of the most annoying things about pain is that it fills your thoughts and if you are suffering with chronic pain it takes over everything you do because you have to think about the affect it might have on you: if you’ll hurt more or if you are unable to participate in something. It is hard to be spontaneous when you hurt.
Another difficulty can be that if you haven’t got an obvious injury it can be difficult for people you associate with to understand how debilitating it can be. And if they see you smile on one day they tend to assume that all is well. They might have even said, "But you look okay." Or, "Go on, have a go." Or, "It is all controllable by your mind." Or, "Have you tried yoga, juicing, howling at the moon..."
How can hypnosis help?
When you are in the trance state your brain release endorphins, which are natural opiates. This creates the ‘feel good’ and reduces pain in a way that you control.
If you practise self-hypnosis you will find that you can gain control and whether you are aiming to reduce discomfort or heal you will be able to have a profound affect.
One thing to try that can help straight away is to be aware of your breathing. Pain can trigger a tendency to under-breathe or hold your breath (while you grimace).
Spend a few moments now thinking about how you are breathing. Try and breathe in a gentle flow without changing the speed of your in to your out-breath. It might help if you count and then you can breathe out for the same count as the in breath.
After a while gently extend the count of the out breath. Do this slowly ~ the aim is for double but work towards this gently.
Just trying this exercise might help you feel a little bit of control.