| If you're in chronic pain, you probably want 7 things. | | | | visualizations to influence the subconscious try to limit |
| If you can learn to use visualization statements to | | | | the four main chemical amplifiers of pain--glutamate, |
| program your subconscious, you may be able to | | | | substance P, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. You |
| attain most or even all of them. | | | | can also use visualizations to attempt to strengthen |
| The 7 things you probably want are to directly | | | | the four main inhibitors of pain--endorphins,GABA, |
| relieve your pain by any safe means possible, to | | | | serotonin, and dopamine. |
| indirectly relieve it using the mind-body connection, to | | | | Goal 4: Avoid Dependence on Doctors |
| avoid dependence on pain medications, to avoid | | | | If any of your doctors are providing callous |
| dependence on doctors, to avoid helplessness, to be | | | | treatment, invasive procedures, or under-medication, |
| able to function despite your pain, and to avoid more | | | | you probably want to reduce your dependence on |
| ongoing costs related to your pain. | | | | them. Through visualization statements you can try |
| Visualization statements provide a useful tool for | | | | to use the subconscious to address your pain |
| attaining many of these goals. These statements | | | | yourself. Specific visualizations can be aimed at back |
| represent the specific language that your | | | | pain and pain in the neck area and other extremities, |
| subconscious wants you to read back to it to help | | | | fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathic pain (nerve |
| ease your pain. They're simple and are targeted | | | | pain), and may possibly produce relief. |
| directly at the main factors that could bring you relief. | | | | Goal 5: Avoid Helplessness |
| You can obtain these statements by learning how to | | | | If you're feeling helpless you probably want the ability |
| communicate directly with your own subconscious | | | | to take back psychological control of your life despite |
| mind. The process is straightforward and can be | | | | your pain. You can use the subconscious to try to |
| done at home by working with a facilitator over the | | | | talk down the pain, naturally alter brain chemistry, |
| telephone. You you need no special skills and no | | | | increase self-esteem, and build expertise about your |
| previous experience in working with the subconscious. | | | | pain, all of which helps to build self-confidence. |
| Goal 1: Directly Relieve Pain | | | | Goal 6: Be Able to Function |
| You're probably most interested in anyting that may | | | | You probably want to be able to function despite |
| directly and safely relieve your pain. Through | | | | your pain. A major factor in allowing you to do this is |
| visualizations you can attempt direct relief yourself, | | | | to consistently get good sleep. You can use |
| using the subconscious to try to influence brain | | | | visualization statements to try to program the |
| chemistry in ways that may reduce the pain signal. | | | | subconscious to improve your sleep by allowing you |
| You can also use visualizations to try to minimize | | | | to find a comfortable sleeping position, stay asleep |
| body system triggers of pain such as the | | | | despite the pain, get back to sleep quickly, and |
| musculoskeletal, immune, and endocrine systems. And | | | | handle the poor sleep of fibromyalgia. |
| you can further use visualizations to try limit lifestyle | | | | Goal 7: Avoid Ongoing Costs |
| triggers of pain such as emotions, food, and lack of | | | | You no doubt want to avoid taking on yet another |
| sleep. | | | | series of ongoing costs related to your pain. Unlike |
| Goal 2: Indirectly Relieve Pain | | | | drugs or surgery, use of the subconscious is a |
| You might want to be able to use aspects of the | | | | learned skill obtained via a one-time investment, |
| mind-body connection to lessen the pain. Visualizations | | | | rather than as a consumed service that must be |
| may allow you to use the subconscious to try to | | | | repeatedly paid for. |
| access positive feelings, provide distractions, obtain | | | | Engaging the Subconscious |
| relaxation, and generate acceptance, all of which | | | | The subconscious is quite powerful. When |
| have been shown to help ease pain. | | | | programmed through the very visualizations that it |
| Goal 3: Avoid Dependence on Pain Meds | | | | suggests, it may be able to turn episodes of |
| You probably want to reduce your dependence on | | | | uncontrolled pain into events over which you have a |
| pain medications that make you groggy, make you | | | | degree of control. |
| sick, or don't work. To this end you can use | | | | |