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Mindfulness And Post-operative Pain Relief

Monday, September 19, 2016 20:06

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Mindfulness and other forms of meditation can assist in the relief and management of post-operative pain.

In a study at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, a neurosurgeon has teamed up with a geriatrician who leads meditation classes to test whether the technique can lessen pain in spine-surgery patients and reduce the need for painkillers. The randomized trial trains patients in a simple form of meditation and asks them to practise it starting two weeks before their surgery and for six weeks after, using audiotapes to guide them. Dr David Langer [pictured right], chairman of neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, says meditation can help reduce anxiety and stress, which can make pain worse. In other words, meditation helps to break the pain-tension cycle.

Meditation has previously been found to benefit patients with a host of medical and psychological issues. The study, published in 2011 in the Journal of Neuroscience, involved 15 people who were subjected to pain using heated probes. The researchers used an MRI to scan the brains of the volunteers and found that pain intensity was 40 per cent less when they practised meditation than when they didn’t. This 2011 study helped inspire the current study at Mount Sinai on postsurgical pain in spine patients. Since the 2011 study there has been more research carried out by the same team of researchers, including a 2015 study that found benefits from mindfulness meditation.

We know that meditation actually changes the way the mind perceives pain so that it becomes more bearable. Mindfulness works by helping the patient to regulate their response to pain; the patient learns to acknowledge and accept the pain as opposed to trying to fight it. It’s the old story: what we resist, persists. It’s all about practising the art of non-resistance.

THE PAIN-TENSION CYCLE
Image source: Physiopedia

For those suffering from chronic pain, here is a technique I and others have found helpful:

ONE. When you first feel a sensation of pain, avoid the temptation to react to it by resisting it.

TWO. Observe the pain. Notice it. Turn your attention to the pain you feel.

THREE. Visualise the pain. Is it ‘large’, ‘medium’ or ‘small’? What is its ‘length’, ‘width’ and ‘shape’? What is its ‘colour’?

FOUR. Note the intensity of the pain. Is the pain ‘very hot’, ‘hot’ or ‘look warm’?

FIVE. Having observed and noted the pain, let your pain be there. Do not hold on to it nor try to push it away. Say to yourself, interiorly and slowly, ‘It is what it is.’

SIX. Then gently bring the focus of your attention to your breathing. Observe your in-breath and out-breath. Take several deep but slow cleansing breaths. Turn your mind inwardly and silently.

SEVEN. Now proceed to let go of thoughts, feelings, images and sensations. Be fully engaged in the present moment, from one moment to the next. Focus your awareness only on your in-breath and out-breath. Let everything else drop away.

EIGHT. Relax.

The Indian spiritual teacher J. Krishnamurti would say, ‘On the acknowledgement of what is there is the cessation of all conflict.’ Yes, it is simply amazing – well, not that amazing, really – how simply acknowledging what is can and will result in the cessation of conflict, that is, struggle, resistance … and even the experience of pain itself.

Acceptance is not about giving up or giving in. It’s about acknowledging what is and not fighting or resisting it. When you start practising the art of non-resistance, you begin to break the pain cycle.

‘OH, MY ACHING BACK!’—WELL, HAVE YOU TRIED MINDFULNESS?

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION CAN REDUCE THE SENSATION OF PAIN

IRISH STUDY SUPPORTS THE USE OF MINDFULNESS FOR CHRONIC PAIN

MINDFUL STRETCHING FOR NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN AND ASSOCIATED HEADACHES

NEW STUDY FINDS MINDFULNESS EASES EMOTIONAL PAIN BY 44 PER CENT

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blog. In Australia, for immediate advice or support call Lifeline on 13 1 1 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and for information, advice and referral on mental illness contact the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or go online via sane.org. In other countries, call the relevant mental health care emergency hotline or simply dial your emergency assistance telephone number and ask for help.

Source: http://ianellis-jones.blogspot.com/2016/09/mindfulness-and-post-operative-pain.html

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