Pain Management (cancer and others) Q: "What do you have for patients who are experiencing a lot of pain?"
By award-winning author and stress-relief expert Susie Mantell
The pain associated with many long-term illnesses and recuperations, and cancer in particular, is such a pervasive problem today. The frustration is that while there are many techniques and practices for pain & palliative care, the approaches are at once wide-ranging, yet also limited. And while one works one day, on another day it is not as effective. So we need choices. As I'm sure you know, in addition to allopathic (traditional western) medications, which in many cases are exactly the right thing to manage extreme pain, many mind-body techniques including the use of multi-sensory imagery is now used even in the most "traditional" of institutions. Let's see what I can offer for some of those "choices".
While I am not a physician, I have had considerable experience with pain management over the years so I will share a number of non-medical observations and hope that some of them might be helpful. Acute and chronic pain as you know, are discouraging and frustrating and often depressing to the patient... and to loved ones and cargivers too. Pain may be episodic in nature, diffuse and migratory, or intense and unrelenting.
If your doctor feels it is okay to make a couple of changes,the following may ease symptoms and eventually maybe even improve one's spirits and quality of life over time. My own thinking (Remember: non-medical---only observational) is that for some, there may be a digestive relationship that can in some cases exaccerbate discomfort in seemingly unrelated places. Some people may experience more low back pain for example, after eating large meals, or foods that do not digest easily for them. But in any event, some have found extraordinary relief by changing the following things.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THESE:
-Eliminate sugar, caffeine and alcohol entirely or reduce as much as possible.
-Drink at least 8 glasses of bottled water daily
-If you have no dietary resprictions, eat fiber, green leafy vegetables and generally keep bowels moving regularly. ( Many doctors of oriental medicine and other alternative physicians will tell you that there may be a relationship between healthy digestive system and sinuses, as well. READ ABOUT: "Leaky Gut Syndrome" vis-a-vis joint pain, and see if anything about it makes sense to you--maybe/maybe not.)
-Have massage as often as possible. Soothing music or a guided imagery audio narration playing in the background can help distract one from pain and refocus attention.
-Breathe mindfully, as deeply and slowly as is comfortable and pleasurable. Watching the in-breath and the out-breath...inhaling comfort and peace, exhaling tension and pain... There are some great books and tapes on healthy breathwork, which can be a powerful release for pain, and stress in general.
-Listen to you body--Rest when you BEGIN to get tired. Rest every hour if you must...or once a day. Your body will tell you. (But it may also say, "OKay...get up again now and do one thing. Then rest again.") You will know. But being productive even in a small way often lifts our spirits. People in bed can be called upon to toss the salad or sort socks, for example...and feel more a part of things.
-Get good, restful sleep in which growth hormone is secreted, muscle tears repaired, etc.
-If you are able to get around, exercise lightly with supervision if your health care practitioners feel that is advisable,to release endorphins to counter pain. And stretch gently (in the water if you can), as close to daily as possible. There is a very fine line and too much can lead to a pain flare, but too little allows stiffness and acheyness.
-See a licensed health care professional who understands chronic pain and ask about nutritional/herbal supplements as well as medications that may be appropriate.
-Perhaps try psychotherapy with someone you truly like and trust and who "gets it". There are extraordinary oncology social workers and others out there who offer local resources, support that can be a great comfort.
-Look into working with a physiatrist and /or physical therapist for cranio-sacral work, myofascial release, ultrasound, electical stimulation--maybe a "TENS" unit for home is an option.
-Share with a few good friends how you are "really" doing, so they can support, or distract you...or remind you of what might be helpful.
-As able, pursue interests that are fun..and completely unrelated to your health!
-Daily meditation--(I actually listen to my own "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace" audio when I need to relax, can't sleep, and when I am achey. It has been used in many oncology departments, and during chemotherapy sessions and at home by people living with cancer, and their caregivers too.)
-Clear out unhealthy thoughts, behaviors and people-----reduce stress in any way you can.
-Replace those things with dreams, plans, activities and people who nourish your spirit.
-Explore movement as you are able, painting, music, yoga, body work, meditative practices, art, etc.
*****Think positive! And hang around with others who do!*****
Many people who known the agony of chronic pain are able to find and create simple, manageable ways to avoid, cope with and move through some very difficult days!
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Award-winning stress-relief expert Susie Mantell ...is the author of the deeply soothing relaxation CD, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace,” clinically approved for symptoms associated with stress and sleeplessness, depression and grief, anxiety, P.T.S.D., Fibromyalgia, caregiver stress, cancer, pain, divorce and addiction recovery. Featured in The Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS-TV, Town & Country, The American Pain Society, Hazelden and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, listeners include The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Betty Ford Center, V.A. Hospitals,and Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa.) Customizing stress-reduction for Fortune 500 companies, distinguished hospitals and spas, Mantell has facilitated thousands in relieving health-related, work-related, chronic or traumatic stress. Her multi-sensory, mind-body techniques appear in national media, medical and corporate publications. Susie Mantell's Stress-Relief & Wellness Tips are intended as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, professional health care. Order “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” and find more of Mantell’s stress-relief tips at www.relaxintuit.com