I tend to be ultra conservative when it comes to pain management. The fewer side-effects I suffer from something, the better. Meditation seems to take me away from the pain and get my mind focused elsewhere.
Stress and pain are closely entertwined. When your body is tense and stressed, the key to getting relaxed and releasing the tension is meditation. There are two types of meditation that I was advised by my doctor to avoid since I was the victim of domestic abuse. Hypnosis and transcendental meditation. Both of these require that you clear your mind, basically giving another person control. In hypnosis you are trusting another person and in TM you are just clearing your mind completely. I'm not comfortable with that.
The Buddist's "mindfulness meditation" requires that you focus as opposed to "emptying" your mind. Because I am not Buddist, I am a Christian, I choose to focus on God's Word and in particular, the Psalms. There I find strength and joy and peace. I also find that quiet time and prayer are beneficial for me. If I can get in a proper frame of mind, it helps me have a better attitude even when my pain level is quite high. I also find that a cup of hot green tea and some Green Hill music playing softly in the background during meditation time helps.
Remember, we are talking about chronic pain which means the pain never subsides, but is continuous. If there is something that can break up or interrupt the pain with even a little bit of relief, that is welcome! If you can find something to make you feel even a little better, it is worth doing. Nothing will ever take the pain away completely, but meditation can help. Choose your meditation wisely. Make sure you trust the one you give your mind to.
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