Symptoms are the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. Medications such as Xanex, Valium, other benzodiazepines and muscle relaxers treat the symptom of discomfort not the cause of the pain. Often, the underlying causes are not treated because the symptoms are temporarily relieved. The attitude seems to be that symptoms are inconvenient; therefore it should be avoided whenever possible. This attitude disregards a very strong message the body is sending that something is not healthy. Therefore ignoring signs that something is dysregulated, inevitably causes more deregulation down the road because the symptom is not the problem, the cause of the symptom is the problem. In fact just this week, medical reports were reviewed stated that people (two thirds) with chronic headaches are very likely suffering from “rebound headaches.” Their propensity to treat their symptoms prophylactically causes an overuse of headache medicine, which ironically results in more headaches.
There are methods for treating pain that do not result in these side effects and can be a great complementary skill in addition to a medical intervention. For example, diet and stress reduction techniques can be of great use.
In my professional opinion, the best technique that has been well researched and many of my patients find helpful, encompasses a way of approaching your existence. It is a way of treating your body by first focusing on what is right with it, without denying what is wrong so that you can experience the wholeness of who you are in this moment and by understanding that you are not your pain, your illness or diagnosis. It is just a part of your experience in some moments but certainly not present in every moment, all the time. When you experience pain or some other symptoms, try to give attention to it without criticizing the symptom or your body. This is difficult, as it is in our nature to give a report of our pains and aliments in a bath of discontent however it is not cathartic.
Most people who use this technique notice the judgments that enter their mind. Fighting the judgments only make them stronger. In these instances, exploring the judgments with curiosity and with wise attention often lessens their intensity. Wise attention is a way of investigating something without reacting or taking action. It is a stance of wonderment and just noticing. Remember that when you notice something you do not become all consumed by it. It is in the exploring of the symptom that we notice our thoughts, various muscles may tense up, our breathing changes and the pain may intensify and then suddenly diminish. Whatever happens when you bring this type of attention to your experience, remain calm remembering that you are not the pain. It’s a PART of your experience and just like your breath, it will come in and go out and come in again. You can fight the wave or you can ride it.
Often when someone is diagnosed with an illness or experiencing a lot of pain, the mind drifts into various patterns of thinking and feeling. Fear, anxiousness, worry about how it will affect the future and one’s identity. These reflexes, although natural are often not healing. They create more pain and become a narrative for suffering. The opposite of these thoughts would be wise attention. In moments like this, using this type of thinking would invoke questions like “what are these symptoms saying, what is it telling me about my body, as I’m feeling this, I notice…”
Patients have become aware of very deep feelings such as despair, anger and hopelessness when they bring attention to what is actually happening in the moment. Prior to this type of awareness they were reactive to themselves and others. When working with feelings, we explore them again with curiosity as to not judge or react to the feelings. We bring a level of attention to them as they are. Not to run away, react or change them but to know them as a part of the experience now. To experience our aliveness, one must start with the moment they are in now, not where you would like to be or where you have been. Why, but if for no other reason than because it is what’s here now.
Obviously this is not easy and by no means am I suggesting that your experience is minimal and can be cured by these questions. However, many studies have shown that by having compassion for your body, your experience and bringing your attention to the present moment in these ways, you can find more peace with the pain and that pain will not become “suffering.” It takes a lot of courage and practice. Prophylactically try a dose of compassion for your pain.
Written by: Julie Barbour, LCSW owner and founder of Clinical Hour, LLC
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