In our group sessions we practice various forms of exercise ranging from holding postures to slow, gentle movements and walking. Most people who attend the program, especially newer participants, want to do well and try hard to do the exercises well. Yet, we keep telling everyone not to try too hard … [Read more...]
Lessons from our Sessions
Here are some discussions and lessons taken directly from our pain management sessions. These will provide a good idea of the kinds of things that are discussed and you will see how we apply some of our concepts to questions from participants in the program.
A Different Take on Meditation
March 7, 2013 by 1 Comment
We do not teach meditation as a spiritual practice and there are no spiritual teachings as part of our pain group sessions. However, meditation and spiritual practice have long been intertwined in many belief systems. It may be useful to look at some of the things said about meditation from a … [Read more...]
Getting Good at Meditation
February 20, 2013 by 1 Comment
We spend a lot of time on meditation in our chronic pain group sessions and often talk about the importance of regular practice. It is a core element of our program and we feel it is an essential part of developing skill in the self-management of pain. Most of us find meditation a difficult … [Read more...]
Is Pain Management a Skill?
February 4, 2013 by 2 Comments
On the home page of this website we say pain management is a skill. It’s a strong statement. Following such a remark a couple of obvious questions include: what do we really mean and how can one acquire this skill? Our pain group sessions are fairly simple. We talk a bit about pain, practice … [Read more...]
Good Times, Bad Times, Pain Times
January 23, 2013 by 2 Comments
A while ago, in one of our sessions, I pointed out that no matter what, we all have good days and bad. Some days the pain is so bad that getting out of bed is the biggest challenge you may want to face. No matter what you do, take extra medications or meditate, nothing seems to help. Does this … [Read more...]
Mind or Body – What’s the Difference?
January 9, 2013 by 1 Comment
In the research literature on pain and online forums devoted to pain research and treatment, questions about the relationship between mind and body are often raised. Universities offer degrees in cognitive neurosciences and courses in psychophysiology, underlining our increasing understanding of … [Read more...]
“They Did a Study” – Research and Pain Treatment
December 19, 2012 by 6 Comments
If I try a form of treatment and my pain gets better I’ll probably believe the treatment worked. But if I tell you the treatment worked you have only my word for it. Neither of us know for certain if I got better because of the treatment or if I got better because of other factors that could have … [Read more...]
A Fresh Look at Chronic Pain
December 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
In my last post I suggested patients might benefit from new ways of studying chronic pain. When I look at what is available in the popular press as well as the scientific literature, it feels like we are caught in a morass of conflicting opinions and research results. Sometimes when trying to make … [Read more...]
What Pain Isn’t
November 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Pain is not a thing. It is a feeling. Feelings are the result of something. We feel pain when complex processes involving the nervous system, endocrine system and other biological systems are stimulated by trauma and disease. Nevertheless we often talk about pain as a cause even though it is … [Read more...]
Chronic Pain is Still a Mystery
November 7, 2012 by 2 Comments
If pain is not a mystery, why are you reading this? I know we live in an age of medical wonders. We transplant organs and make artificial joints. Technology allows us see inside the body with MRI, CT and other forms of scanning. We can make drugs that can keep people alive and well for years longer … [Read more...]
