Relaxing through pain is a simple and highly effective coping mechanism that can pay dividends for anyone who has a chronic health issue. However, relaxing when symptomatic flare-ups occur is one of the hardest strategies to employ for most untrained people.
It does not matter what type of pain you have or what variety of health crisis you are suffering from. When you are stressed, the symptoms will always be worse. Bodily tension exacerbates all manner of discomfort and can escalate pain to torturous levels. Meanwhile, relaxation is proven to minimize stress on the body, relieve pain and improve general health. Proven research has shown tremendous benefits provided by such potent relaxation exercise as meditation, deep breathing, biofeedback and PMR.
Everyone knows that being stressed will intensify pain. However, trying to relax in the face of acute suffering is a challenge. Therefore, I always work diligently to help my clients find the ability to concentrate and relax when their worst symptoms present themselves. I find that the development of this ability is responsible for providing effectual pain management all by itself, but is even more effective when combined with other forms of constructive symptom control.
So, how does one actually relax when pain strikes? The answer is simple: Training. Just like in the martial arts, people can accustom themselves to physical discomfort and find acceptance that their suffering might not alleviate immediately. Instead, understanding that bodily tension is counterproductive and relaxation is beneficial will allow patients to progress quickly in their personal development efforts, especially when they see firsthand how much better they feel when their pain-related stress is decreased.
Relaxation and pain minimization techniques are inherently woven throughout my coaching programs. I work obviously and subtly with clients to find ways to help them to calm mind and body, especially when burdened by acute symptomology. Acceptance of the pain is the most vital aspect of the process, since once a person stops fighting the suffering and simply allows it to exist; the discomfort most often decreases steadily until the worst of the episode passes.
How effective can relaxation be? Well, statistics gathered from 8 years of my own program, as well as derived from dozens of respected medical and complementary medical studies, show that true relaxation can bring about the same level of pain relief as the most effective medical modalities, including injections and pharmaceutical pills. However, unlike these medical interventions, relaxation exercises do not demonstrate any health risks whatsoever, while drugs certainly pose significant dangers, regardless of how conservatively they are utilized. Better yet, relaxation goes beyond transcending risk; it actually provides clinically-proven benefits to overall health and wellness. In essence, learning to relax will not only help people to manage existing pain, but the skill will also help them to prevent future flare-ups and optimize overall wellness in the process, with no downside whatsoever.
Throughout my own pain story, I have suffered countless acute episodic flare-ups. When these horrors strike, I can become frightened, just like anyone else. However, I have learned from decades of living with pain that acceptance of the present moment of suffering is crucial to get that moment to pass quickly. I no longer play mind games wondering what the instigator of the flare-up might be, nor do I struggle in vain to be rid of the pain using any type of drug product. Instead, I allow the pain to reside and consciously minimize its significance.
Over several hours, I can apply the learned skill of neuroplasticity to make the pain seem worthless and out of place in my life, allowing me to function in the face of what would otherwise be completely disabling agony. Despite my many serious health issues, including some dire spinal problems, I live on my terms and enjoy life, even when pain tries to take over control of the reins.
You can live better and find ways to relax through the worst of times. Once you have mastered this skill, you will amaze yourself with the other goals that you can achieve. Want to learn how? Contact me anytime and we can work together on improving your life, not just the present moment that might be currently filled with pain or illness. Remember, I want you to learn to be self-sufficient; not rely on me, or my coaching, like a less harmful form of symptomatic treatment. Autonomy is the ultimate goal for you. By working together, I will ensure that you can find solace in your inner strength and resilience despite all future impediments. Relaxation is a great place to begin.
