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Changing Pain
By Daniel F. Cleary, C.Ht.
When we encounter the opportunity to assist in the reduction, or elimination of discomfort on any level it is essential to keep in mind the basic understanding that these symptoms have purpose. Refer client to a qualified practitioner to assure proper diagnosis. Then offer assistance in cooperation with the prescribed treatment process. Masking the impact of a symptom may delay timely treatment of injury or illness.
Nature of Pain
Acute: This is usually of short duration, often associated with accident or injury. The cause of this pain is usually understandable and reflects normal functioning of the nervous system.
Chronic: When pain is ongoing, either as a result of ongoing dis-ease, or due to other factors we may consider it to be chronic. Certainly, after a period of six months the discomfort begins to impact life in a manner, which may be considered chronic.
Types of Pain
Psychogenic: This is pain without pathology. Regardless of recognizable physiological cause all pain is real: If it is PERCEIVED it is REAL!
Physiological: This pain is the result of an identified injury or a disease process. We may effectively reduce the interference of this discomfort in our lives while remaining aware of the message to protect the area of discomfort. Body, Mind and Spirit are connected; all that occurs on any level, affects all levels.
Pain and Suffering
Pain is the perception of a signal from the body. This signal is a notification of injury or illness. Pain, in this context, is a good thing. Without this warning system we would notvsurvive. When we begin to react emotionally to the pain we may begin to suffer. Suffering includes anxiety, frustration, even guilt, and the fear that the pain will continue. Suffering is reflected in the relationship struggles common with chronic pain conditions. Suffering is found in the helplessness and depression that often follows seemingly endless doctor visits with no improvement.
Emotional Impact
Illness or injury may limit ability to work or participate in the activities of everyday life.
This may cause frustration, reducing our ability to deal effectively with stresses, resulting in a cycle of distress. Distress causes tension which blocks healing energy. When healing energy is restricted or blocked, healing takes longer.
How Emotions Feed Back Pain
When the symptoms of disease or injury continue beyond what we consider to be a normal healing period, our energy depletion may cause us to become more sensitive to the discomforts of the process. The pain seems to increase as our energy to resist decreases. We may awaken with the certainty that we face another day of pain. We may begin to fear sleep: as when we quiet ourselves, we become more aware of discomfort. Loss of sleep reduces our level of energy yet again. These cycles are typical of chronic conditions and are more suspicious in their absence than their presence.
Chronic Identity
We are manifestations of our experiences, beliefs, and perceptions. When our life is impacted by chronic conditions we begin to adapt to the circumstance. Chronic Identity is the self-image we become as a result of living in chronic circumstance. Remember: we do everything for a reason, even if it is inappropriate. Even if we find the cause and cure of a chronic condition, the client has lived with this condition for years. The issue has influenced every perception, action and reaction. With our assistance, the client now has expanded opportunity to learn more effective methods to continue to adapt. We may encounter patterns, which resist change defensively. As we rediscover methods of dealing with the different aspects, we effect change on many levels.
Habit/Expectation
Part of the adaptation to chronic pain includes the habit of being in pain. The person expects to awaken to pain, decides how long he/she can endure the discomfort in a social or work situation. The pain IS a part of life and as such is considered in all planning.
Secondary Gain
Adaptation occurs as we begin to take advantage of our situation. This may mean that we accept sympathy or assistance from friends. Conversely, we may resent those same friends for their sympathy. If an injury prevents us from working, do we collect insurance money? If we were able to return to work would we lose this income?
Self Image
Do we see ourselves as survivors, or victims? At what point do we begin to see ourselves with this chronic condition as a permanent aspect of who we are and how does that shape that we become?
Anger, Fear, Frustration
These are aspects, which need to be addressed in order to facilitate long-term relief. The fear of our pain and the frustration of dealing with the stresses and the inconveniences resultant to the condition often seem overwhelming. This offers the opportunity to facilitate change through PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT.
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