Controlling Chronic Pain

22nd January, 2011 - Posted by L. John Mason -

More than 70% of people who suffer from chronic pain can learn to control chronic pain! For many of these people the tools that they can use will help to prevent some, or all, of their pain! For all of these people, they can learn to reduce the intensity of their pain and this will give them some control over this debilitating problem. Since 1978, I have worked with people  who were medically referred by their doctors to help them “get back in control” of their bodies and their lives by reducing, if not eliminating, their pain.

People who have suffered an injury that has caused their chronic pain are people who suffer from the stress and anxiety of dealing with the pain and the limitations of their injury.  Often, they have experienced a series of medical procedures which can add to their stress and often create extra financial burdens besides changing their normal lifestyles in negative ways. Chronic physical pain is an emotionally painful experience. The stress and anxiety that people endure makes their pain worse or reduces the ability to mentally fight the effects of the pain.

As an example, one client with severe neck and back pain from an automobile accident, had several surguries that did not correct the physical problem. The frustration of dealing with pain combined with not being able to work and the financial problems that went along with this were creating an intolerable amount of pain and anxiety. Depression and anxiety were daily companions to this pain. When this client was referred, he had been through 3 surguries and lots of physical therapy. I introduced him to biofeedback and effective stress management techniques. The biofeedback was a tool to create awareness about the role of muscle tension which was contibuting to, and possibly causing, the “soft tissue” pain. The tight muscles which surrounded the injury were not relaxing and so the basic healing could not occur. This was similar to being cut and then pulling apart the opposite sides of the cut so the cut could not heal. The stress management was designed to create awareness and then develop control over the physical manifestations of stress that kept the pain intense and prevent healing. The mastery of the stress management and biofeedback took about 8 to 12 weeks. The reducing of pain began in the fourth week. By week 12, the pain was greatly reduced in intensity, duration, and frequency. The client felt empowered and in control of his life much better than at any time since the accident. Relaxation can help minimize, if not eliminated, the muscle spasms that cause headaches, neck/back pain, and even TMJ/jaw pain.

Consider learning more information about this might benefit you, or someone you know. More information about this pain control program is available at the “articles” page of the Stress Education Center’s website at www.dstress.com. Contact us with any questions and please take good care of yourself.