Has anyone tried mindfulness ,I've asked for a doc referral to try and take more control over the pain

[JackieWann]

Like most people on this site the pain meds don't work as well after a year or so

So l read about taking your mind somewhere else when the pain is too bad a distraction if you will...who knows lm willing to try it

[Hidden]

Hello

BOB here

When I visited the pain clinic it was the Alexander Technique. Mindfulness, sounds very much the same although not the same if you can understand that, a further technique used many years ago also was the Maxwell Technique.

All are methods of relaxation to control the pain of your condition so anything that is going to help you ,cannot be bad.

Medications can only go so far as they over time can damage your body, TENS is the other method that supplements both relaxation and medications

Going to the pain clinic will associate the three systems of pain control together and will help you maximize your pain control. Whatever system you use it is a positive move and will give you confidence in the control of your condition.

Some patients are fortunate to have a spa bath, that just adds to a positive reaction to your pain. Ask if you get one fitted you at least do not pay VAT, A Occupational Therapist will look at your bathroom and house and advise on aids that will make life more easy for you, they will give prezzies

Many other people in pain say that gentle exercise or swimming may also help you in trying to control the very negative condition of chronic pain

The Pain Clinic is a very good positive way in your search for a supposed pain free existence, I would recommend it.

If you want to continue with exercise you may be entitled to vouchers to attend a gym etc. All is worth a try.

Other thing may become more evident, as I do not know your condition

Good luck with the Pain Clinic

All the best

BOB

[JackieWann in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou bob,I've looked up classes in Aberdeen scotland. X

[Hidden]

Mindfulness is quite difficult to explain. Its a bit like being in fog - everything that is immediately close to you is in focus, can be smelt, touched and heard. You can appreciate it with all your senses. Although you may know what is hidden by the fog, its unatainable and therefore not important because you focus all your attention on the moment and activity.

It takes quite a while to learn properly, so don't get disheartened, but the good thing is you can do it anywhere with any activity.

It reconnects you with the planet (something we have lost with years of civilisation) and gives you deeper meaning to life.

With pain, it works by training you to focus fully on something and shutting everything eveything else out. This in turn changes the brainwaves and your perception of the pain. You may not feel any less pain in the early stages but you will definitely be more relaxed and less anxious about it. You will also be able to differentiate between different pains ( maybe you get stiff legs after walking for half an hour - this is what happens so its ok to let it happen, but if you get something different then that is the pain to explore not the stiff legs). One by one you explore all your aches and pains and sort out what is normal for you and what is not. This understanding will help with acceptance and will reduce stress and anxiety about your pain.

Then with this information you can re-organise your life better which will reduce the pain even more. The more you do mindfulness the easier it becomes and it does need to be taught by an experience person. This is not something you can learn off the internet.

Depending on how the sessions are structured, it may open up well hidden emotions from the past, something may trigger them, this too is healing your physical pain. That's not to say that your pain is not real, its very complex when you get inside the brain.

Good luck, you'll meet some new people too and will make some strong friendships.

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to disillusion you this is not Mindfulness. You are right that Mindfulness takes a long time to learn. It is something that will take the rest of your life. There are many psychologists on the Mindfulness bandwagon. Teaching it because they think their psychology qualifications enables them to think they know what it is.

Mindfulness is observing what is happening here and now. It is observing what is happening without passing judgement on what is happening in the here and now. This is a Buddhist practice that has a history going back about 2500 years. Many Buddhist monks practice Mindfulness in its various forms 24/7 in particular those of the Buddhist Theravada Thai Forest tradition.

It is not about

“

With pain, it works by training you to focus fully on something and shutting everything everything else out. This in turn changes the brainwaves and your perception of the pain.”

That is the wrong approach and is not Mindfulness. Mindfulness when done in a particular way allows you to observe pain and not attach additional emotional levels to it. The pain is still there, but because you are no longer attached to the pain it does not cause you the grief like what it did before.

I have had much instruction from Buddhist monks during my development of the practice of Mindfulness. I do admit that my concept of what Mindfulness is has changed over the 35 years that I have practiced it.

When practicing Mindfulness it is important to practice without having a goal. This is important. The no goal approach enables you to develop experience of things you do not know exists. It is also highly important that in your practice that you have a reliable teacher who has already made the mistakes, knows what happens, and can offer you the benefit of their own life experience.

During my practice I have made many errors and I have had these errors pointed out by a teacher. It is always important to remember that it is easier to see the “spec of dust in someone else's eye than the plank in your own”. This is why Despite my experience I still need a teacher who can let me see my errors.

[JackieWann in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou zanna you explained it so well,now I'm looking forward to it .xx

[johnsmith]

Hi

You do not need a doctor's referral to learn about Mindfulness. This is a practice that many Buddhists engage in. There must be local Buddhist groups in your area that practise Mindfulness.

The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH

Tel: [phone] | Email: [e-mail]

Should be able to let you know what buddhist groups are in your local area.

[JackieWann in reply to johnsmith]

Thankyou John,x

[Hidden]

Amazon have some very good books on managing chronic pain using CBT Mindfulness and Meditation.. I think they are all aimed at accepting how you feel but trying to find ways to distract yourself. There are articles that explain all this. I have different types of pain which are difficult to deal with..there is evidence that some techniques alter your thinking and reaction to pain, which does affect how your mind perceives and processes. Its very complicated. Look for British Pain Society on Web..there are several very good articles if you google the right combo . Hope you find what you are looking for. Try local library to recommend books on chronic pain..the ones I have read gave some insight into why pain hurts. Laugh.x

[JackieWann in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou I will have a look x

[Waterlily]

pathwaythroughpain.com

A couple of years ago, when Pain Concern was still in its infancy, they generously enabled me to take part in this online programme in order that I could provide them with some feedback as to its merit in helping chronic pain. Part of the course included Mindfulness. I did find it quite difficult to get to grips with it, but once I could settle and focus, it definitely helped me cope and is a very useful tool. I had a quick look at the home page for the site just now and it looks as if some NHS trusts MAY be enabling access free, (if you are lucky to live in the right area), otherwise you would have to pay, but I felt at the time that it was worth the cost if you were able to scrape it together.