How has Mindful Meditation Practice helped you lower pain levels?

Hello @skier. I'd like to invite graduates of the Pain Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic to share their experiences with you – members like @rwinney @medic7054 @jefferie @dawn_giacabazi @marinelastef @kjp and others.

Do you currently practice mindful meditation or have you been exploring its benefits?

I have been practicing guided mindful meditation for the past 6 months to help calm my chronic pain of lower back and sciatica. I listen to Headspace and Healthy Minds apps daily. So far, no change in pain level.

Thanks for recruiting PRP grads to share their experiences with meditation. @skier

@skier, thank you for telling us about your meditation practice. Note that it is called a practice.....meaning of course that we must keep at it. I belong to a sangha that practices mindful meditation every week throughout the year. We have 3 and 4 days retreats also and our next one is in August. I think that mindfulness actually changes the thoughts in our brains. In particular, a guided body meditation lets us evaluate the condition of our bodies just so we are aware of areas where we can make a difference in pain levels.

Recently, I was in the hospital for a few days and found that my mind was able to make positive adjustments to the situation. I was surprised at how calm I was even with pain and discomfort. I also practiced my mindful speech. Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary? These three questions are the guides for mindful thoughts and spoken words.

May you be free of suffering and the causes if suffering.
Chris

Chris, you are a remarkable woman. I'm constantly impressed with your depth or feeling and thinking You've helped me so very much since meeting, several months ago. God gave you to me as a true gift, my friend. Thank you for all you do for others and what you've given me that has helped so much. Thank you. Bless you. May you feel well, be well and prosper. Elizabeth

Chris, do you have any websites or meditation online sites that you suggest we ck out that may serve us well? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, elizabeth

@ess77 Sorry for butting in but I use u tube they have lots of different meditations on there I like and also the re balance your chakra,s

@skier Just read your post I just finished P T for sciatica pain and lower back pain Therapist gave me 3back exercises to do my pain is gone as long as I do those exercises daily .Have you gone to therapy for it? If you like zI can give you the exercises but you should talk to your Dr first

@lioness, i appreciate your interest in reading my latest post. Yes, I've been to nearly 50 sessions of PT for lower back and sciatica pain. Nothing sees to work, but I still perform a daily strength and stretching routine. Thanks for listening and offering suggestions. @skier

I'm doing Physical Therapy again, to strengthen the muscles that hold up the bones in my neck (the bones are weak with arthritis, they are compressing, pinching nerves, and radiating pain into my whole shoulder and upper back). It is helping. I did PT for sciatica last year - the pain went away and they taught me how to hold my posture so that it doesn't return. I also do deep knee bends every night to keep quadracepts strong so I can drop down instead of bending over - my sciatica was caused by bending over with legs straight. When my orthopedist used his plastic model of a spine and showed me what was happening to my back and my neck it made logical sense. Peggy

Try to find classes in MBSR, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. You can actually find out a lot about it by looking up Mindfulness on Wikipedia. It is a practice and once you learn it, you can use mindfulness techniques to keep you in touch with the present. I began working with Patsy 5 years ago and have attended all of her mindfulness retreats. There is one August 5-8 at St. Johns University. She has been my spiritual guide a relationship I treasure.

There are mindfulness classes and workshops almost everywhere. What part of the world are you in these days? If you want to see a bit more, look at Minnesota Mindfulness on Facebook. These practices are based on Eastern Philosophies....if that is important to you.

May you have joy tomorrow. G'night.
Chris