Spiritual Tools for Pain Management

[Fluttering]

10 Spiritual Tools for Coping with Chronic Pain
By Maureen Pratt

Chronic pain can make us feel isolated and helpless, especially if its cause is an illness or physical condition for which there's no cure or effective medical treatment. At times of deepest despair, finding ways to nurture our spirits can help us not only cope with the pain, but also discover nuggets of grace, comfort, and productivity that can move us through and beyond the helplessness and hopelessness we feel. Here are ten spiritual tools that can help you get started toward peace in spite of and in the midst of pain.

Find Quiet

When we are in great pain, finding true peace and comfort is not easy. But it is possible, if we first try to still our worries and fears, both external and internal. Finding a place where there are no noisy distractions is a great start. Enjoying the outward quiet, we can then calm our inner selves and nurture peace within.

Just Breathe
The act of breathing is not only a physical process, but it can also be a tool to move our pain, negative thoughts, and worry out of our bodies and hearts, replacing these with a better sense of self. In a quiet place, breathe in slowly and deeply, then let the breath out, expelling stress and pain with it. Feel the sharpness of pain subside as relaxation and calm take its place.

Listen to Music
A beautiful piece of music can inspire our spirits and soothe our pain like no other sound. It can also help us get in touch with the absolute joy of living, even if we live with severe pain. Put on your favorite piece of music - instrumental or vocal - sit back, and close your eyes. Let the music carry you away from your immediate pain to a place of calm.

Lose Yourself in Prayer

So often when we pray, we ask for relief from our pain and leave it at that. Perhaps more effective when pain is oppressive is lifting up our pain and then resting quietly with the comfort that our concerns are being tended to by One greater that ourselves - and we do not have to take them back again.

Reflect in Nature

Pain can isolate us and make us feel very much alone. But in reality, we are part of an amazing world. A walk in the outdoors, a glance outside at a garden, a quiet moment with a beloved pet - each of these things can renew our sense of belonging to the world, help us to feel less alone in our pain, and make us grateful for our lives among such wonder.

Laugh More

Pain itself is no laughing matter, but the act of laughing can be physically and spiritually healing. It helps us breathe deeply, cleanses tense pain from our bodies, gives key muscles beneficial exercise, and lets us travel to an uplifting place of joy. Whether it's a joke, a cartoon, or the antics of a pet, find laughter and enjoy it often.

Reach Out to Others

When we are in pain, it can be easy to feel as if no one cares. But there are many in the world who feel the same thing - and we can make a difference in our lives and in others' lives by reaching out in comfort and care. A phone call to a hurting friend, a visit to someone in need, even an email to an online support group - all of these can help us become less isolated, and help others in the process.

Live in the Light

It's easy for our souls to be flooded with darkness when pain is sharp and overwhelming. We can combat this darkness by bringing on light. The flicker of a candle, the warm glow of one small lamp illuminating a dark room - light can help focus thoughts and bring comfort. Even in the darkness, be conscious of the light all around, and let it guide you to greater calm.

Take Care of Yourself

Often, there is no cure for what causes our pain. This can make us feel as if our lives are out of control. But the better we take care of ourselves, the more we will feel at least a little control over our circumstances - and our attitude toward pain. Taking time to follow a healthful regimen reflects on our spiritual health, too, and gives us a chance to rise above our pain and feel better - inside and out.

Never Lose Hope

Each day, there are new developments in medicine and in therapies to ease pain, inside and out. Hope is not just a feeling that things will be better - it is a tangible tool to motivate and guide us through the frustrations that accompany pain into positive actions that can make our lives better now and in the future. Without hope, our spirits wither. With hope, as with the Creator, all things are possible!

Maureen Pratt is a speaker and author who focuses on spirituality, faith and wellness. Her most recent book is "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" (Doubleday Religion). Her website is Maureen Pratt, Author and Speaker - Home.

[lizw]

This is great. Thanks.

[DesertEyes]

oooh I love these, thank you so much for posting them. I've put some of these in practice.... kinda sorta.... with yoga. Not that I'm any good at it but it does help me control my mind and it's reaction to the pain.

Mike

[jazpoppy]

Hello Fluttering;

Thanks for this wonderful post on the spiritual tools for coping with chronic pain. Every one of these 10 tools is VERY USEFUL! If we put each of these tools into play in our everyday lives, we would feel a huge difference. I have practiced meditation and noticed a positive change in my night pain and sleeping patterns (it does help). I am going to print these out and hang them next to my bed and every morning I will make sure I incorporate all 10 tools into my life. Thanks again.

Sincerely;

Jaz

[barb dwyer]

I had to quit my job to be able to do these things - but it does work.

problem is - no one pays your rent to do these things. LOL

boy if only I could find that job!

[Latte]

Thank you. I have to admit, your advice did help me get through my first few months dealing with pain and addiction. I have to say that I take one medication today and that is for mental health. It does help with the pain but all of the other advice I've gotten from you and other chronic pain sufferers has kept me going.

[shockozulu]

Originally Posted by jazpoppy

Hello Fluttering;

Thanks for this wonderful post on the spiritual tools for coping with chronic pain. Every one of these 10 tools is VERY USEFUL! If we put each of these tools into play in our everyday lives, we would feel a huge difference. I have practiced meditation and noticed a positive change in my night pain and sleeping patterns (it does help). I am going to print these out and hang them next to my bed and every morning I will make sure I incorporate all 10 tools into my life. Thanks again.

Sincerely;

Jaz

I did the same last night. I have them by my bed and am now working on incorporating them one by one into my life. I have always noticed the power of music in my life, but never thought about actually using it in helping me deal with pain (duh) but now will work on that one first.

For those who work a secular recovery, I learned a wonderful substitute for the Prayer tool from a dear spiritual friend of mine. She suffered from chronic pain and would lay down and imagine sending "white light" to her friends in need. She'd also send them positive messages. She would do this through closing her eyes and imagining her friends in positive situations. For example, if a friend was having a stressful time at work, she would imagine him at his desk, taking a deep breath while he ate a nice slow lunch enjoying his day. This was a great way for her to have calming time for herself yet also helping her friends.

[Samurai]

I am new to the forum and read that yesterday and it really helped me out! I have been struggling with a lot of pain recently. Just what I needed.

Thanks so much.

[barb dwyer]

Recently, I've come to accept one more basic rule -

"Go at your own pace".

When I try to 'hurry along' like everyone around me,
my pain increases.
When I'm allowed to take my own time
and honor my own threshold -

I am better mentally, emotionally, and physically.