7 responses so far ↓

• jeisea // Jun 2, 2007 at 9:43 pm

  You made some interesting points in your interview in particular the validation and understanding of pain and the practical steps that can help you go beyond pain. I can understand some people’s desire to revisit your group, attending another session. Sometimes it’s helpful to refresh your memory. When you face pain on a day to day basis it’s easy to forget the simple, practical coping strategies that were learned in a support group. I hope you don’t mind I posted a link to this page on my blog and on the links’ page of my google group. Thank you
  jeisea

• HtCwP // Jun 3, 2007 at 10:24 am

  Your site, with periodic updates of what works for you, is very helpful, too. You’re right - refreshing our memories of what works is good.

  Happy to have a link - sharing all this info is good!
  HtCwP

• Ed // Jun 3, 2007 at 11:12 am

  In case anyone (especially any professional or student) has an interest in the much neglected area of mutual help groups, there are two published studies that support HtCwP’s points regarding the value of these groups:

  Subramaniam, V. Stewart, M.W., Smith, J.F., 1999. “The Development and Impact of a Chronic Pain Support Group: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study.” Journal of Pain & Sympton Management, 17, 376-383.

  and

  Lorig, K.R. et al. 2002. “Can a Back Pain E-mail Discussion Group Improve Health Status and Lower Health Care Costs?” Archives of Internal Medicine, 162, 792-796.

  Thanks so very much, HtCwP!

  - Ed Madara, M.S.
  Saint Clare’s Hospital, NJ

• Sara // Jun 16, 2007 at 3:00 pm

  I am a 26 year old mother w/rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. This article, like many others I’ve read on non-medicinal methods of living with pain, leaves a big gaping hole in the question of “What if those alternative techniques cause a moral issue for you”.

  Most of the techniques mentioned in your article are taken from Eastern Spirituality. As a Catholic, I wouldn’t even feel comfortable attending a meeting where that is going on. Every religion has some form of meditation- that is true, but having been on “both sides of the fence” so to speak, there is a HUGE difference in the type and quality of meditation of Catholicism then in Hinduism or Wicca or Buddhism.

  People who do not want to take pain medicine are looked at with sympathy, but if you do not want to “just try” some of these other areas, it’s almost as if you just are a druggie who doesn’t want to get well.

• HtCwP // Jun 17, 2007 at 7:11 pm

  Sara, I’m interested in what you mean that the techniques are taken from Eastern religions. Do you mean breathing, guided imagery, etc? I use these in my support groups from a non-religious perspective. Other suggestions, for example, support groups, doing as much as you can, etc, I think would be acceptable for anyone.

  You’re right that some types of breathing can be part of more formal meditation. But from a non-religious perspective, we know that slowing down breathing is one of your own body’s ways of calming down - it’s more from my medical or psychiatric training, than from anything religious.

  I agree that people need to incorporate what they feel comfortable doing. And also that sometimes when you’re suffering, expanding your ideas about what might help can be good.

  Thoughts?

• jabbwolf // Sep 29, 2007 at 9:16 pm

  I think support groups are wonderful. They are there as a sort of family of people who know what it is like to live your life. That is usually what friends are, things that have things in common. Share ideas and help, and also good things. In some cases that is really important, the good things! The average person doesn’t understand us, as I like to think that we “aren’t normal”, but above average!

• jeisea // Dec 1, 2007 at 7:29 pm

  I am sorry for taking so long to get back to reading this post. I understand your concern. Personally I think if you look at the techniques eg controlled breathing, as just techniques you will see there are a variety of purely practical methods of managing pain. The bottom line is to find something that helps you. Other techniques such as self hypnosis, visualization and mirror therapy have no historically religious connection. Sometimes we can throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak and in so doing deprive ourselves of a valuable a pain management tool.

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