How to get my mind off the pain

I am continuing to struggle and obsess over my symptoms........aside from the breathing/meditation techniques commonly used, can anyone suggest ways I can relax and get my mind off of this stuff?

The psychological part is absolutely brutal.

 

been there pal, to the point I was banging my fists off a wall and stubbing cigarettes out on hands to distract from the constant pain. trust this process and know it sometimes ''reminds'' you not to get too cocky but it will go away.

I recommend also watching comedy. at the minute I'm watching Curb your enthusiasm season by season and its great. Check out Norman Cousins story.
Laughter will realise natural painkillers also.
If you are really desperate I would recommend a ''shakti mat''. it really helped when I got really frustrated.
its counter intuitive but I recommend to anyone with insomnia or muscle discomfort.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...lying-bed-6-210-nails-torture-true-bliss.html

 

Don't want to sound like a wise-guy but the physical pain is an extension of the psychological part.

One way is to force your attention onto something else because after all you get to direct where you put your attention. If your left leg hurts force your attention onto the right leg (if that feels OK). Think about the tips of your ears? How do they feel? ...you get the idea.

Before I found the TMS concept, I got a lot of relief from self-hypnosis CDs. (Actually I do a LOT of self-hypnosis still, for discomfort but also for lots of other things. It's a direct line into the subconscious which is really where the root cause is)

I used a TENS machine and that gave me relief.

Music (whatever appeals to you) has an amazing power to go directly into your brain.

Sing! Anecdote: I have an acquaintance who has chronic pain and she gets wonderful relief from singing show tunes, very loudly. (I think the singing forces you to breathe and helps the anxiety as well.)

Move, as your body permits. I used to get relief from walking. I realized later I was getting into a meditative state while walking and that helped. Dance and sway around the house, whatever you can do. Something about physical movement breaks the "spell".

That's all I can think of right now. I do so empathize with you. I will second what IrishSceptic said, work the SEP program. It will help. This can get better. Many many of us have been where you are now so you are not alone.

Oh, I just thought of something else, it's called the Betty Technique. Betty, wife of Milton Erickson, used to suffer from anxiety and this is what she did for it. Here's a you tube instructional link:
and here are some how-to notes: http://www.solutionmind.com/tools/54321_technique.html

Good luck!

 

Hi again. Just today I was listening to an interview on the radio with a neuroscientist about his new book called Touch. Anyway, they got into a discussion about chronic pain and what happens in the brain. He described how in chronic pain there is this vicious loop where the pain causes anxiety which makes the pain worse which makes the anxiety worse and so on and on. So he was saying that anything you can do to break that cycle immediately helps change the experience of pain. The pain feels better.

So he mentioned drugs that reduce anxiety which end up reducing pain. However, your mind is the most powerful drug when it comes to the power to reduce anxiety. That's why so many of us are proponents of mindfulness, breath work, meditation because they are anxiety killers. And I personally and a big fan of hypnosis as an anxiety buster, as well.

 

the cycle is nicely described here

 

going to read up more on the shakti mats, it may very well be a good idea for me. As a matter-of-fact, anything that helps release tension will be good, I am loaded with it. Dahlia, what do you mean by "SEP Program?"

That graphic says it all Sceptic!

 

The TMS Structured Education Program on this site: http://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/Structured_Educational_Program

It is a daily program of education and exercises about TMS designed to guide you through the process of learning about TMS as well as learning various strategies for dealing with feelings, repressed and otherwise.

 

thanks~

my browser is filling up with TMS bookmarks, which is a good thing! Going to start this tonight if I can.

 

mdh157,
I hope you do start the SEP program. It has the proven approaches and tools.

In terms of breaking that anxiety cycle, which I know well, I think singing is a proven stress reducer. I was listening to an interview about Polyvegal theory, of Stephen Porges. This theory and studies support the practice of breath, and singing and music to regulate the nervous system. He says that using the facial muscles and breath and, listening to keep the right tone ---all work together to help us feel safe. This is related to our evolution for social interaction.

So singing, and even listening to music is something, like others have said, that can help you regulate your anxiety.

Minutes 27 to 30 or so address the effects Porges discovered as he played his instrument during high school, related to breath and using facial muscles. I love the idea that simple practices soothe the nervous system, and we can do this when we need to.

This part is true. The only good thing to be said about this is that we are driven, in this, to learn how to be with ourselves with more skill and (hopefully) self-compassion. Good luck. And I hope you engage the proven TMS practices, such as the SEP.

Andy B.

 

Thanks for the tools all, this site seems to be full of resources. Still seems like i'll never get over this, it continues to occupy my mind most of the day. How could something so 'minor' cause so much heartache? I now have pains in the bottom of my feet off and on, wondering if it might be plantar fascitis trying to rear its ugly head.

 

Hi Mdh157,
I hope you do not take the feet pain too seriously. My story might be inspirational. Good luck, and I hope you start the SEP or other serious engagement of Sarno's work soon. If you are not taking this action, perhaps you can inquire into why you are not.
Andy