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Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (56)Comment receiving replies
Thank u very much for sharing your story . Hearing your journey of woe and thinking about mine .. it strikes me to think of all the time wasted in all that suffering , treatments , preparing for treatments and programs, Waiting rooms and then just all the time doing exercises both physical and mental… And all the time that that it took up, it could’ve been spent making the world a better place either just around our local group of family and friends or further abroad, it still makes me angry and bitter to think about it. This is because I was so focused on those things before my injury as most of us with chronic pain are . I’ll take your advice and look into one of these clinics more thoroughly. The thing that strikes me however is that I have a very peripheral pain process that can be completely treated with a few cc of local . Three weeks in a pain centre working on centralized imagery and distraction techniques I doubt is going to make a lasting change to my life when I get home to the same four walls and this is very visceral pain problem. I’m not sure how I could change things up so much that I could come back and not relapse … I guess it’s similar to a IV drug abuser who goes to a wonderful program for a month and then comes back To the same temptations. Anyway I’ve got some thinking to do and I thank you for your input. Any progress I make ill post here so you might see it
Replies to "Thank u very much for sharing your story . Hearing your journey of woe and thinking..."
I just re read this and realize that the auto correct demon has bitten it. I apologize for the F bomb near the end.…..although it is quite amusing considering the context …might actually be an effective therapy !! LOL.
Moderator, I’m surprised there isn’t a filter to pick up mistakes like this . I hope it didn’t offend anyone ..it sure made me chuckle !
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Changing patterns of thinking can be challenging! For me, like the principles practiced in AA and NA, I got sick and tired of my focus on being sick and tired! With any habit, the way I think included, can be changed if replaced with something else. In my case it was about wanting to get my thinking changed from regret and my focus on pain, to what I want for my life. I want to spend my days in a more positive mindset and facilitate healing! I knew I wasn’t doing that and couldn’t do that if I continued with the attitude I had.
I started in small steps to replace negative thoughts. When I caught myself beating myself up or thinking about something unproductive, I would replace it with something positive. I wrote a list of things that I enjoy thinking about or that interest me. I kept it close by and would read my list when I needed to change my thinking. I had a therapist treat me using Biofeedback. It helped me learn how something as simple as breathing can lower anxiety and change my thinking. I’ve learned meditation since, which is similar and it continues to help with positive thinking. It has helped me to use an app on my phone for guided meditation. Even if my thoughts stray to other things, I’m continually brought back to focus on my breath which calms my mind and body.
It’s an individual thing! What works for one may not for another. For me, it’s about the effort I apply. I know my unproductive thoughts won’t change unless I do something to change them! It’s worth it to me to practice the tools I’ve developed and learned because I don’t want to spend my days living with regret and negativity. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’m better equipped now to change negative thoughts and my outlook about physical pain has changed for the better as well!
All my best to you in finding ways to help your physical and mental health!