We are all familiar with classic jokes told about women that continue to function with horrible back pains while their knight and champion checks himself into bed because of a similar pain. Not only does the way pain is conceived by people seem to be very important – it had also been shown that if the pain lingers it is probably because of mental problems.
Psychiatric studies conducted in Pain Treatment Centers, have shown that education for pain acceptance and living with pain as normally as possible, would do wonders and will reduce both physical and psychological pressure. From a state of "The Poor Victim" the patient reaches a state where his body is capable of recruiting its oppressed endorphins, prolonging the time between bouts of pain and even eliminate pain entirely.
Doctors should find through psychological therapy, what indeed makes it for some patients difficult to separate from their pain. A passive attitude, loneliness, lack of emotional intimacy, depression and anger can aggravate a patient's situation. On the other side we know of stories about soldiers who did not feel their injury in the harsh heat of battle and underwent painful surgery without anesthesia. We also know of athletes who get addicted to their profession and to the endorphins released in their brain during exercise.
In light of all that, doctors now recommend that patients start in a variety of sportive activity: Rehabilitation wards are recently teaching patients Tai Chi techniques, Paula method and Feldenkrais Method to improve body maneuverability and to encourage introspection and control.
Other clinics teach meditation, giving patients the ability to mentally overcome the daily tensions - they learn how to breathe correctly and how to find the signs of strain resulting in pain and control them. Another method recently applied is the - Biofeedback. By attaching electrodes to the patient's head and some body and brain signal can be monitored, and thus the patient is taught to control his brain waves and calm the pain.
Using medical hypnosis to block pain can reduce its intensity or change their properties and characteristics, while developing the internal ability of the patient to control and manage pain.
Methods from the field of what we call "Alternative Medicine" can also be used for similar effect. Methods such as Acupuncture which is based on Chinese Medicine, where thin needles are inserted in various areas and points in the body to stimulate secrete of endorphins and prevent the passage of pain to the brain.
Reflexology, based on similar principals as Acupuncture is a method by which certain points in the feet corresponding to internal organs are massaged, can also be very effective for pain relief.
Well, if you have now have a bad headache from all those possibilities - you can always use the my grandmother's remedy: headaches can be overcome using a potato: Cut it across and make round slices. Bind them on your head and wait for half an hour. Good luck and good and stable health.
