Comments on: Do Your Values Help You Accept Pain? http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: How to Cope with Pain http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17935 How to Cope with Pain Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:46:11 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17935 Dot, that's an excellent example of combining <em>visualization</em> with the <em>values</em> component. Thanks for sharing! Dot, that’s an excellent example of combining visualization with the values component. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Dot http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17934 Dot Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:28:50 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17934 Dear HtCwP, Thank you so much this post! After I read it, I applied the "value principle" to my chronic pain condition yesterday. I was feeling overwhelmed with pain and discomfort b/c of a sudden flare up in my ear. The acute throbbing pain, on top of my daily chronic pain, pushed me pretty much to my limit. So I used imagery suggested in the study. For about 20 mins, I mentally pictured myself swimming in frigid waters towards an iceberg to rescue my mother, who means the most to me. After a few mins of visualization, my ear pain became manageable. Surprisingly, my body began to feel the cold from the icy water. This, in turn, caused an actual REDUCTION in my neck and shoulder pain where I always have burning muscle pain. I've used visualization before for relaxation and preparing for sports competitions - but I was always focusing only on myself. Thinking of someone else (esp a loved one) really made a difference in increasing my pain threshold. I plan to keep experimenting with lifesaving scenarios! Dear HtCwP,

Thank you so much this post! After I read it, I applied the “value principle” to my chronic pain condition yesterday. I was feeling overwhelmed with pain and discomfort b/c of a sudden flare up in my ear. The acute throbbing pain, on top of my daily chronic pain, pushed me pretty much to my limit.

So I used imagery suggested in the study. For about 20 mins, I mentally pictured myself swimming in frigid waters towards an iceberg to rescue my mother, who means the most to me.

After a few mins of visualization, my ear pain became manageable. Surprisingly, my body began to feel the cold from the icy water. This, in turn, caused an actual REDUCTION in my neck and shoulder pain where I always have burning muscle pain.

I’ve used visualization before for relaxation and preparing for sports competitions – but I was always focusing only on myself. Thinking of someone else (esp a loved one) really made a difference in increasing my pain threshold. I plan to keep experimenting with lifesaving scenarios!

]]> By: kaylynn http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17916 kaylynn Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:29:26 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17916 So far in my 17 years of life, I have had the misfortune of experiencing a lot of pain. People ask me how I continue to go to school, race bikes and, hold one of the highest school leadership positions. My answer is: "I just do." I know that someday, the pain has to get better and I know that if I just continue on with my life and pour my energy into doing what I love and doing good in the world then the pain can't stop me. It is just pain, it is just searing, burning, and shocking pain that makes very movement torturous, but it just pain...not life. I have learned to just live my life, and pain happens to be part of it, but not all of it. So far in my 17 years of life, I have had the misfortune of experiencing a lot of pain. People ask me how I continue to go to school, race bikes and, hold one of the highest school leadership positions. My answer is: “I just do.” I know that someday, the pain has to get better and I know that if I just continue on with my life and pour my energy into doing what I love and doing good in the world then the pain can’t stop me. It is just pain, it is just searing, burning, and shocking pain that makes very movement torturous, but it just pain…not life. I have learned to just live my life, and pain happens to be part of it, but not all of it.

]]> By: Becca http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17760 Becca Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:33:50 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17760 It is so nice to read all of these comments, I am encouraged to know that you all are finding ways to deal with your pain. I have a hard time with "acceptance" because I, too, think that is linked to "liking". But the comment (Dorian's) about the pain not being a friend, but my body is my friend does help. Still, acceptance after 5 yrs of dealing with this, is still a long ways off. But I think acceptance is a journey, too. And sometimes I say to my ankle, "Okay, ankle, I hear you. I know you hurt. I am paying attention to you." That, I think, is a step towards acceptance without judgement. It is so nice to read all of these comments, I am encouraged to know that you all are finding ways to deal with your pain. I have a hard time with “acceptance” because I, too, think that is linked to “liking”. But the comment (Dorian’s) about the pain not being a friend, but my body is my friend does help. Still, acceptance after 5 yrs of dealing with this, is still a long ways off. But I think acceptance is a journey, too. And sometimes I say to my ankle, “Okay, ankle, I hear you. I know you hurt. I am paying attention to you.” That, I think, is a step towards acceptance without judgement.

]]> By: flamingorosy http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17738 flamingorosy Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:49:02 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17738 And about the chronic pain- we do need to learn to accept it and live a full life in SPITE of pain. If everything I do hurts- and the endurance I have is limited- then I must decide what is most important and do that. I am trying to appreciate the gift I have been given- NOT the pain- but the ability to grow in unforeseen directions, and appreciate the good things in life. This is a constant process for me- one step forward and 2 back- but it is the process that will help me grow and one day use this affliction in a positive manner to help someone else. And believe me- some of my days are dark indeed... And about the chronic pain- we do need to learn to accept it and live a full life in SPITE of pain. If everything I do hurts- and the endurance I have is limited- then I must decide what is most important and do that. I am trying to appreciate the gift I have been given- NOT the pain- but the ability to grow in unforeseen directions, and appreciate the good things in life.
This is a constant process for me- one step forward and 2 back- but it is the process that will help me grow and one day use this affliction in a positive manner to help someone else.
And believe me- some of my days are dark indeed…

]]> By: flamingorosy http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17737 flamingorosy Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:37:45 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17737 A couple of comments here- I have RSD or CRPS type1- whatever you call it the result is the same. chronic, unending pain. After a year of this I am redefining and reinventing myself. Teresa-I think we all struggle from day to day. My full time job with great benefits is part time with no benefits- but I am glad to be here at all. You need a support group- and there is help there- local churches are 1 option- and there is an organization here called Meals on Wheels that will bring a meal (hot, nutritious and free) to those in need. Look for something like that in your area. Angel ministries will help. Most hospitals have "reach out" programs. Google help. call your friends. and no, the state doesn't care- but individuals do. Really. If I did not live in Virginia I would roll over and give you a hug. And a large meatloaf... Make the calls, please. A couple of comments here- I have RSD or CRPS type1- whatever you call it the result is the same. chronic, unending pain. After a year of this I am redefining and reinventing myself.

Teresa-I think we all struggle from day to day. My full time job with great benefits is part time with no benefits- but I am glad to be here at all. You need a support group- and there is help there- local churches are 1 option- and there is an organization here called Meals on Wheels that will bring a meal (hot, nutritious and free) to those in need. Look for something like that in your area. Angel ministries will help. Most hospitals have “reach out” programs. Google help. call your friends. and no, the state doesn’t care- but individuals do. Really. If I did not live in Virginia I would roll over and give you a hug. And a large meatloaf… Make the calls, please.

]]> By: Dorian aka coffeesister |_|) http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17668 Dorian aka coffeesister |_|) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:25:04 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17668 Thanx for the advocacy w/needed realism. I consider myself a <a href="http://coffeesister.net/belief-in-hope/" rel="nofollow">realistic optimist</a> for, tho' I know a positive attitude helps, that optimism isn't sustainable w/out honesty. Chronic pain (as opposed to how pain was designed to work) isn't my friend but my body is & we need to fight this affliction together. Diet & psychology are both contributing factors to pain levels yet, for many of us, the pain is more far-reaching than anything we may or may not be doing. Thus, <em>whether</em> we're in pain canNOT be the focus (too many of us always have been & don't know anything else); instead, it really is a question of whether we'll be defined by it or – worse yet – give in to it. That's what IS in our control. I may <strong>>_<</strong> but will still <strong>^_^</strong>! <strong>(|_|*ch33rs*|_|)</strong> "It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. " -Julius Caesar Thanx for the advocacy w/needed realism. I consider myself a realistic optimist for, tho’ I know a positive attitude helps, that optimism isn’t sustainable w/out honesty. Chronic pain (as opposed to how pain was designed to work) isn’t my friend but my body is & we need to fight this affliction together. Diet & psychology are both contributing factors to pain levels yet, for many of us, the pain is more far-reaching than anything we may or may not be doing. Thus, whether we’re in pain canNOT be the focus (too many of us always have been & don’t know anything else); instead, it really is a question of whether we’ll be defined by it or – worse yet – give in to it. That’s what IS in our control. I may >_< but will still ^_^!

(|_|*ch33rs*|_|)
“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. ” -Julius Caesar

]]> By: How to Cope with Pain http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17655 How to Cope with Pain Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:35:11 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17655 Rick, I certainly agree that when pain can be decreased, by all means, we try to do that first. Unfortunately, for many of the patients I work with, who truly have <strong><em>chronic</em></strong> pain, finding ways to cope with and accept pain is crucial to living a full, happy life despite pain. Rick, I certainly agree that when pain can be decreased, by all means, we try to do that first. Unfortunately, for many of the patients I work with, who truly have chronic pain, finding ways to cope with and accept pain is crucial to living a full, happy life despite pain.

]]> By: Rick http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17654 Rick Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:51:49 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17654 I must say this is a strange approach for me to accept being a physical therapist. I believe our bodies are not designed to be in pain and that we need only discover the reasons for our pain to then unlock them. I find that the body heals very quickly given this understanding. That's not to say that I don't understand people's need to cope. I work with these people and understand their desperation. I'm fortunate to be able to make a big difference in people's lives by unlocking the secrets to their pain. I think this site is a great resource to that end. Bravo. I must say this is a strange approach for me to accept being a physical therapist. I believe our bodies are not designed to be in pain and that we need only discover the reasons for our pain to then unlock them. I find that the body heals very quickly given this understanding.

That’s not to say that I don’t understand people’s need to cope. I work with these people and understand their desperation. I’m fortunate to be able to make a big difference in people’s lives by unlocking the secrets to their pain.

I think this site is a great resource to that end. Bravo.

]]> By: Teresa http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/1635/values-and-acceptance-to-cope-with-pain/comment-page-1/#comment-17649 Teresa Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:08:34 +0000 http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/?p=1635#comment-17649 No I still stuggle with day to day, The more I try the worst it gets, Thank to the FIA of Michigan I go without food and the medication eats my stomach with no food. Consumer's Energy shut off notices and added late fees for what I can pay adds to the stress. I am the only one that can deal with this, when I dont no one can help I have tried for 3 years to get help, guidence, and the pressures of living get worse. They say have faith, I am as low as I can go before hitting the streets of Michigan in a snow storm. And yet the state of Michigan could care less. I ddnt ask to get run over, I didnt ask to live in pain, I didnt ask to be without 3 jobs, I didnt ask to live on welfare. While the mn that did this to me is warm, and free without a care eating and traveling to warm states. No I still stuggle with day to day, The more I try the worst it gets, Thank to the FIA of Michigan I go without food and the medication eats my stomach with no food. Consumer’s Energy shut off notices and added late fees for what I can pay adds to the stress. I am the only one that can deal with this, when I dont no one can help I have tried for 3 years to get help, guidence, and the pressures of living get worse. They say have faith, I am as low as I can go before hitting the streets of Michigan in a snow storm. And yet the state of Michigan could care less.
I ddnt ask to get run over, I didnt ask to live in pain, I didnt ask to be without 3 jobs, I didnt ask to live on welfare. While the mn that did this to me is warm, and free without a care eating and traveling to warm states.

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