Chronic pain can be relentless and millions of people around the world are experiencing it. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain continues to exist after its initial cause has had time to heal. This discomfort can create not only physical, but also emotional and social discomfort.
So what is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that persists for more than three months (or beyond the typical healing time for the injury). Chronic pain can be neuropathic, musculoskeletal, visceral, and even psychogenic. Chronic pain is dangerous as it can reduce an individual’s ability to move through their daily activities and tasks, disrupt their sleep, and lead to further physical decline. Chronic pain is not just physically harmful, many individuals dealing with continuous physical pain see a decline in their mental health as well. Chronic pain can even lead to addiction for those who turn to opioids or other substances to manage the pain.
Why Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy may not be the first professional that comes to mind for someone experiencing chronic pain, but here are some of the reasons you might choose to work with a yoga therapist.
Yoga Therapists do NOT work with acute pain. If someone comes to me a week after hurting their shoulder I will gently invite them to visit a doctor, a physical therapist, a massage therapist, or explore holistic remedies. They are more than welcome to reconnect with me if the pain persists as yoga therapists specialize in chronic pain! A Yoga Therapist will create a routine to support you in accepting and navigating the different lifestyle chronic pain may have created and in some cases support individuals in experiencing less pain. Clients have found yoga therapy can
- Support a reframe in mindset:
Though we may not always like or want to accept it, pain is normal! When we experience physical pain our body is trying to inform us something is not right or causing discomfort. It is our job to slow down and check in. Is this something we can change?
- Resilience
Resilience is our ability to adapt. When experiencing chronic pain our brain becomes really familiar with what pain feels like and may pick up on pain easier than someone who isn’t as familiar with pain indicators. Through practices like meditation and breath we can shift our awareness and adapt in moments of discomfort. If our brain is really good at noticing and picking up pain- what other pleasant or neutral sensations can we learn to notice?
- Increasing pain free range of motion
Through movement a yoga therapist can support clients in localizing the pain, identify weak and/or tight muscles, promote parasympathetic nervous system support, supporting clients in finding ease and comfort in the physical body.
If you are experiencing chronic pain- book a free consultation!