Managing Pain: Focusing On What Feels Good

Physical pain can consume our days and nights if not managed well. Based on my own experience with a recent back surgery I found a few ways to find momentary peace during difficult times. By focusing on areas of the body that aren't currently in pain we can be reminded that our bodies do remember how to relax and feel pain-free. Let me share a technique with you.

Transcript

Hello, My name is Hilary Lafon. I'm so grateful that you've joined me today to explore the topic of pain management, Focusing on what feels good. I know it's hard to imagine that anything can feel good when you're in pain. And I'm coming from a place where I recently had back surgery. And the time before the surgery was so painful, After the surgery had its own struggles as well. And so I've learned many techniques to manage the pain, And I'd love to share it with you today. So make yourself comfortable as only you know how. For some it might be sitting in a chair, Others lying down, And maybe even walking is the only thing that can help you stay in the present moment and not get lost in the pain. There is no right or wrong, No one formula that works for everyone. So I'm here to offer you just a resource to help you find what works for yourself. If you are sitting or laying, Feel free to close your eyes if that feels okay. And let's focus on our breath for a moment. Exhaling all your breath out. Inhaling deeply and completely. Exhaling and exhaling. A couple more times. Inhale deeply, Feeling your chest rise, Stomach expand. And exhale, Letting it go. One more time. Inhale and exhale. Allow for a moment. Just the realization of your body. Noticing where you find pain, Where it resides. Just spending a moment to hover over that place. Because if we see the pain as an observer, We're able to handle it a little bit better. So there's feeling the pain and being lost in the pain. And then there's stepping outside of yourself and noticing the pain. Where is it coming from? Where is it? How does it feel? And for a moment, Just feel the pain. We won't be here long. Just notice it. Allow a breath to come in and out, Letting go any need or desire to change the pain or to fix it. Just letting go, Accepting. And now notice that there's an area in your body where there is no pain. It could be on the other side of the body. Could be in a toe or a finger. And just let your awareness sit on that area for a moment. I know it's easier said than done. But retraining our mind to focus on the areas where we don't feel pain can sometimes help us not feel the pain so excruciatingly. So let's explore that. Notice if there's any tension in your neck, Shoulders or back. And breathing in and out, Letting a wave of relaxation wash down your spine, Over your shoulders, Cradling you, Hugging you, Letting you know it is okay. And find a spot on your body that does not have any pain. Maybe your left cheek and your face or an earlobe, A finger or your palm. So much sensation in the hands and if your pain is not coming from your hands, Then focus on this area just to feel a moment of relief. Noticing the tingling, The vibration, The swirling or maybe no sensation at all. All of this is a welcome relief to the pain in the area that you most feel. Maybe for you, The area of no pain is in your feet. Notice any coolness, Heat. Maybe a limb has no pain. So if your pain is in your right hip, Maybe you move your awareness to your left hip. Just notice the area around your seat, Your thigh, Your hamstrings, Your side body. Just allow this to wash over you. And for a moment, Feel grateful, Feel gratitude that there are places in your body that is not stricken with pain. And if you are suffering pain all over, Every nerve ending, Everything and there is no area on your body that does not hurt. There is a time in your life where you were pain free. And this may be years ago. Allow yourself the gift of going back in time to a moment where you were healthy, Pain free and filled with hope. Allow this hope to permeate your heart, Your mind. Allow this hope energy to start at the bottom of your feet and like a tub filling up as you inhale and exhale, Hope fills up your feet, Your legs, Your stomach, Your back. Inhaling and exhaling as this hope fills up your chest area, Your neck, Your face, Your arms and hands. The hope and the knowledge that this too will pass. You will be able to get through this moment. If your mind has wandered off, Come back to the breath. Exhaling slowly and deeply, Big belly breaths, Reminding your body that it does know how to rest. It does know how to relax. Ending our time together with three deep breaths. Inhale all your breath out, Inhaling deeply through the nose, The biggest breath yet. Feeling your body expand and then as you exhale, Letting some of the discomfort go, Sighing it out, Letting it leave your body. Two more times, Inhale through the nose, Exhale through the nose or the mouth, Letting some heat go, Some energy. This last inhale, Breathing deeply, Completely and exhale. Getting here for one more moment, Say something nice to yourself. It's okay sweetheart, You'll get through this darling. You are safe with me. Be the peace and the comfort that you need. When you're ready, Open your eyes, Come back to the here and the now and thank yourself for practicing just a little exercise to help be a little bit more comfortable in your physical body. Thank you so much for allowing me the precious gift of your time. Until next time.

Reviews

Great techniques, and an ideal, gentle voice for delivering them.

Thank you I really liked focusing on my pain-free parts

Just had surgery. Very helpful. Thank you and blessings. 🙏🙏

Lovely exercise, thank you!