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There are some meditative practices that can help deal with intense physical pain. There is also a healing meditation you can do for yourself (and others!) I'll see if I can find more information for you.
One thing you notice when you meditate for a while (and this can be helpful to focus your observation on) is that pain is not a constant, finite presence. It waxes and wanes, changes intensity, shape and color. Sometimes concentrating on the nature of pain can help make it easier to manage or bear up under. You learn to approach and "befriend" it rather than it being something you are always subjected to.
Yogic breathwork (pranayama) as part of a meditative practice helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier for your body to relax and replenish itself, which is important when people are dealing with chronic illnesses. Our bodies are depleted of good prana (energy or "chi") because of these illnesses and pranayama helps restore that balance to our bodies. Truly the breath of life! It's very easy to do also. Here's some good instruction on how to do the dirga (3 part) breath:
http://www.yogabasics.com/pranayama/DirgaPranayama.html
I am planning on learning how to do Reiki and related forms of energy (pranic) healing. I had an amazing experience with an energy healer recently and know from my experiences (as well as other people I've spoken with) that they do much to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Tonglen meditation is a way to connect with suffering (ours and others) and do a practice that both gives and receives. Pema Chodron is one of the best teachers of this method: http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php
She is a Buddhist nun and her books on dealing with difficult times, loss, pain and fear are wonderful, warm and insightful -- definitely worth reading.
Kara, coloring mandalas sounds really cool! Thanks for sharing that info!
One thing you notice when you meditate for a while (and this can be helpful to focus your observation on) is that pain is not a constant, finite presence. It waxes and wanes, changes intensity, shape and color. Sometimes concentrating on the nature of pain can help make it easier to manage or bear up under. You learn to approach and "befriend" it rather than it being something you are always subjected to.
Yogic breathwork (pranayama) as part of a meditative practice helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier for your body to relax and replenish itself, which is important when people are dealing with chronic illnesses. Our bodies are depleted of good prana (energy or "chi") because of these illnesses and pranayama helps restore that balance to our bodies. Truly the breath of life! It's very easy to do also. Here's some good instruction on how to do the dirga (3 part) breath:
http://www.yogabasics.com/pranayama/DirgaPranayama.html
I am planning on learning how to do Reiki and related forms of energy (pranic) healing. I had an amazing experience with an energy healer recently and know from my experiences (as well as other people I've spoken with) that they do much to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Tonglen meditation is a way to connect with suffering (ours and others) and do a practice that both gives and receives. Pema Chodron is one of the best teachers of this method: http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php
She is a Buddhist nun and her books on dealing with difficult times, loss, pain and fear are wonderful, warm and insightful -- definitely worth reading.
Kara, coloring mandalas sounds really cool! Thanks for sharing that info!
Namaste 
On the Beach with IC 
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