Did you know that 92% of chronic pain sufferers say "It's important to keep fighting this pain."?
That is our natural response to pain. We struggle against it and grasp for solutions far too long.
This post will introduce you to a proven method of dealing with the suffering and stresses caused by episodic or chronic pain which has shown positive results.
That is our natural response to pain. We struggle against it and grasp for solutions far too long.
This post will introduce you to a proven method of dealing with the suffering and stresses caused by episodic or chronic pain which has shown positive results.
This information is based on research carried out by Kevin Vowles, Ph.D., at the Association for Contextual Research in Bath, England, which is quoted widely in other publications.
Do you fight your pain? Dr. Vowles notes that struggling with pain is the single best predictor of more pain in the future, along with further struggles, a sense of failure, and lost freedom and opportunity. There is a definite cycle here, a downward spiral that you yourself may have encountered from time to time.
He advocates deliberately getting off this treadmill, likely with some professional assistance, and setting off in a new direction which involves
Let's examine each one of these components. Acceptance is the opposite of struggle. It means that you come to understand that the emotions that come with your migraine pain are transitory, and that you just notice them as if you were a third party. In a similar way, the thoughts that come up during an attack are merely thoughts and they will subside; they are not your direct experience of the pain. Accepting your pain also means abandoning heroic measures to control it.
Mindfulness is a way of thinking which concentrates on the here and now, not the past and future.
The final element, Values-based Action, asks you to re-direct your focus. Rather than trying to eliminate unwanted experiences as before, you ask yourself what really matters in the main areas of your life. Your future will consist of actions which contribute to priorities which are grounded in these values.
Do you fight your pain? Dr. Vowles notes that struggling with pain is the single best predictor of more pain in the future, along with further struggles, a sense of failure, and lost freedom and opportunity. There is a definite cycle here, a downward spiral that you yourself may have encountered from time to time.
He advocates deliberately getting off this treadmill, likely with some professional assistance, and setting off in a new direction which involves
- Acceptance
- Mindfulness
- Values-based Action
Let's examine each one of these components. Acceptance is the opposite of struggle. It means that you come to understand that the emotions that come with your migraine pain are transitory, and that you just notice them as if you were a third party. In a similar way, the thoughts that come up during an attack are merely thoughts and they will subside; they are not your direct experience of the pain. Accepting your pain also means abandoning heroic measures to control it.
Mindfulness is a way of thinking which concentrates on the here and now, not the past and future.
The final element, Values-based Action, asks you to re-direct your focus. Rather than trying to eliminate unwanted experiences as before, you ask yourself what really matters in the main areas of your life. Your future will consist of actions which contribute to priorities which are grounded in these values.
Does Dr. Vowles' process, also known as Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) therapy, work? 3 years after his study group began ACT, here are the outcomes
The evidence is clear. As a long term migraine sufferer, you can benefit greatly by 'giving up your struggle' and embracing the idea of accepting of your pain. Many barriers will come down for you as a result.
Let me coach you through this process and guide you towards a rich, rewarding life based on what you really want.
- almost half of the participants had achieved acceptance
- 80% were acting in accordance with their values
- 60% reported pain reductions
- 40% reported less pain-related anxiety
The evidence is clear. As a long term migraine sufferer, you can benefit greatly by 'giving up your struggle' and embracing the idea of accepting of your pain. Many barriers will come down for you as a result.
Let me coach you through this process and guide you towards a rich, rewarding life based on what you really want.
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