Tapping into the Mind-Body Connection
Numerous studies have shown that meditation, relaxation, positive thoughts, and other techniques that incorporate the mind-body connection can reduce the need for pain medications in some situations.
Analgesic medications are very effective at reducing or even eliminating pain, but sometimes those drugs bring unpleasant or dangerous side effects, especially with prolonged use. Many times after a car accident or other traumatic event, a person is left with chronic back and/or neck pain that could be lessened with centuries-old techniques such as meditation or gentle yoga. The reduction in pain is often significant enough to reduce the person’s pain medication requirements.
Why Accessing the Mind-Body Connection May Help
Pain has both physical and mental elements. As such, incorporating therapies that work with the mind-body connection may be able to relieve pain by changing the perception of it. Everyone perceives pain differently – that may be part of the reason why we hear about people having a high or low pain tolerance. Perception of pain may also be influenced by one’s emotions, genetics, lifestyle, past experiences, and personality.
Techniques to Try
There are several techniques used by mind-body practitioners to try to disrupt pain signals. We will go over a few below.
- Deep breathing. This is the first step to learn since it is a key part of all the other techniques. Inhale deeply to a count of four, hold for the same amount of time and exhale to four. As you practice this exercise, you may want to increase the count to 5, or whatever amount of time personally works to calm you.
- Meditation with guided imagery. While listening to calm music, or calling up an image of a peaceful environment, begin your box breathing exercise. If your mind begins to wander to stressful things, use a word such as “peace” to call your mind back to the relaxing mental image.
- Mindfulness. Become fully immersed in any activity that you thoroughly enjoy. This could be gardening, walking in nature, cooking, or coloring. Pay attention to every detail of your surroundings and your activity. Be aware of how your emotions are responding. As you get more skilled at this practice, try to bring mindfulness to everything you do.
- Yoga or Tai Chi. These ancient practices incorporate meditation, controlled breathing, and movements that stretch muscles. There are many apps and YouTube videos with instructions. If you are under a physician’s care for your back or neck pain, make sure you have clearance to begin an exercise program. There are plenty of classes and online tutorials that offer gentle movements.
- Practice positive thinking. When we don’t feel well, it is easy to focus on all the things we cannot do. Reframing our thoughts to be thankful for all that we are able to still enjoy can be helpful. Many pain patients find it beneficial to keep a gratitude journal to start each day.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a simple instruction video for box breathing.
Sacramento Injury Lawyers
Hello, and thanks for reading our discussion of the mind-body connection and its relationship to pain perception. My name is Ed Smith, and I have been a practicing Sacramento injury lawyer for close to four decades. The highways around Northern California are full of distracted, careless drivers. If you have been unfortunate enough to suffer injuries as a result of someone else’s poor driving, please do not hesitate to call my office. We are always happy to offer free, friendly, and compassionate advice. Our telephone number is (916) 921-6400. We also have a toll-free line for those calling from outside the area: (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, you may submit your questions online.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/meditation-calm-above-the-city-1287207/
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