hypnosis

[MakinIT]

I've been going to a counselor for the past 5 weeks. Not sure if you all knew when I got out of touch for a while there I was touch and go suicidal so I am seeing a shrink who specializes in chronic pain. He sounds like Mr. Rogers on the phone but looks like Mr. Clean.
Anyway, being the skeptic I am, he waited for a while to get to know me, then today did hypnosis with me, only called it 'relaxation"...and he was sneaky about it too. started out by just asking me describe the pain, where it was and what color it would look like. (I said redhot with shades of purple) so he said he wanted to see how well I could visulaize and began asking me to describe everything I could about a rose, then he started describing a dewdrop on the rose and summer sun glinting off the rose and warmth from the summer sun...all in his deep Mr. Roger's voice. Soon, I was in the summer sun, relaxing, turning the color in my from red to yellow. (or so he said, I don't remember...I know I was awake because I can remember him talking, I just don't remember all the details.) anyway, when he brought me back, he said my body was very relaxed....Usually I sit very tight.....My feet even stopped wiggling which they never do. Anyway, as far as pain, it helped some. moved from a 6 to a 3 for a while. (They are upping my morphine in the next few days. I'm having to argue for it) ....

Just wanted to let you know...you obviously have to have a connection with the person...I wouldn't just go to a freak on the street.

Good luck

[vm]

I am glad you have found something that is helping. I have done self guided meditation that sounds very similar to what he is doing. It does help me relax and I am so glad to hear it is helping you.

Good to see you again! hi

[Cali girl]

I do relaxation exercises and meditation too. And I have found that it does help with the pain. I am glad that you also have found that it does help you.

Cali

[Iris]

That sounds so interesting, and relaxing. I know at times, I do deep breathing exercises, almost like meditation, and it does help to calm me down, if I am getting stressed out about something. Glad that you are getting help, hugs Iris.

[MakinIT]

Do you folks do hyponosis alone (self relaxation) or does someone walk you through it? He says he'll eventually figure out the best way to work with me and make me a tape to listen to when the pain is awful.

busy, busy, busy, I'm more busy now than I was when I was working because of doctor's, PT, counselors, disabililty, appointments, etc..

Tracey

[lotsofgirls]

hi Tracey,
I used self hypnosis for childbirth and found it very effective. It basically requires practice and then you can get very good at it. I always used a tape, and that helps because you condition yourself to relax. It is helpful with pain as tensing does make it worse (although its impossible not to tense against severe pain, my pain doc calls it "guarding").
Cath

[ICsunshine 4/12]

In my quest to deal with my pain ,I located a psychoterapist.. certified in hypnosis. He taught me to go a calming place in my mind and use nature's sounds to accomplish this. When DH comes in to the bedroom and hears the surf tape he leaves me to my self healing.

Em

[Dixiefireball]

that is great you have found something that helps some. please keep us updated on how you are doing.

[ICNJess]

I also do self-hypnosis. My pain management therapist taught me how to do it and once a week for now we are practicing in his office. He makes a tape, I bring it home, and work on the concentration technique. It certainly makes me calmer, as for pain control, we have yet to see results.

Good luck.

[MakinIT]

Sometimes I think the calmer does help with the pain...the more wound up I get up, the more anxious I get, as I've said before, our pelvic flooors are the first to tighten when we are upset or anxious.So...there you are...all we all need to do is think about waterfalls...err, well maybe not that, howaabout the Rose my counselor used?

seriously, Iknow it won't fix me, but I am looking for "tools" to put in my "toolbox". If I can use these to keep the pain at a 5-6, then I don't need to worry too much aboout more meds. I would expect to be throwing a tantrum much higher than that...(and I have done) I just don't want to up my morphine any further.

Tracey

[Cali girl]

I have been doing self-relaxation/meditation on my own. That is generally how I get rid of my headaches and other body aches. I have my husband doing it now to help with his migraines. He was actually surprised at how well it has helped him.

Cali