Mindfulness’ ability to reduce pain levels has been documented through published research for over thirty years. I’ve lost track of how many actual studies there are because research is coming out fast and furious. As of February 2014 there are over 40 mindfulness studies being published each week. Although pain is not the only application observed, it is interesting to note the abundance of attention being given to mindfulness.
Pain comes in various forms. Physical pain receives the most attention but not far behind is emotional, mental and spiritual pain. The reality is that physical, mental, emotional and spiritual pain are interconnected and if you address one, you are addressing all four. In the “old days” we were taught to block out the pain by somehow disconnecting to what was being experienced in the moment. We were given drugs and various strategies to accomplish this erroneous approach. It wasn’t until mindfulness started teaching the opposite that we began to notice a shift in the paradigm of how we address pain. The epiphany that the willingness and ability to be present with pain could reduce pain levels was revolutionary. Imagine….an approach that was the exact opposite to what we had been taught for years!
We all know that stress plays a role in creating and sustaining pain. The physical contraction of the body for long periods of time creates and wreaks havoc on pain issues. The corresponding contraction of emotional, mental and spiritual experience through stress and fear mirrors what is happening on the physical level. Suffering increases and sustains the pain levels. What I mean by suffering is the mental/emotional catastrophizing of the pain situation. The compulsive looking back and forward as to the worst possible scenario and outcome of the situation.
The willingness and ability to fully experience pain on every level is part of the practice of mindfulness. It releases the contraction caused by stress and fear and allows the system to return to normal. The nervous system is able to come out of fight or flight and then the inner healing faculties that we all have are able to assert themselves in a positive way thus laying the foundation for reduced pain levels. I’m not suggesting that every pain situation can be fully experienced easily. It takes practice and everyone needs to find their own way in, but the journey of many miles begins with the first step and that first step is transformational.