As a Consultant Health Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with chronic / persistent pain patients, I've observed how perfectionism can be a significant obstacle to managing long-term health conditions effectively. Let's explore why perfectionism can be detrimental and how we can cultivate a healthier mindset. The Pitfalls of Perfectionism in Chronic Pain Management Perfectionism often acts as a barrier to progress and well-being for those living with chronic pain or other long-term health conditions. Here's why: Unrealistic Expectations Perfectionists tend to set impossibly high standards for themselves, which are especially challenging when dealing with health limitations. For instance, a chronic pain patient might push themselves to maintain the same level of productivity they had before their condition, leading to frustration and disappointment....
If you’ve been living with chronic pain, you may have tried countless treatments, medications, and therapies, all in search of relief. Yet, the pain persists. For many, this journey can feel frustrating and isolating. But what if I told you that your mind could play a significant role in your experience of pain? Dr. John Sarno’s mind-body approach suggests just that—a perspective that has helped many people reclaim control over their bodies and their lives. Let’s explore this fascinating connection and how you can start applying it to manage your pain. The Mind-Body Connection: What is it? The mind-body approach is based on the idea that our emotions, particularly those we may not even be aware of, can manifest physically in the body as pain....
People with Chronic / Persistent Pain, Lets Ride the Waves of Wellness: Uncovering the Benefits of Beach Life Some of my clients/patients at my pain psychology and hypnotherapy clinics online or in face to face in Milton Keynes have either come back from their holidays or are about to go. We often chat about their favourite beach, and I will use it in their relaxation or hypnotherapy sessions to help turn down the volume of their chronic /persistent pain. But what is it about beaches that we find so relaxing, this blog post looks at several factors contribute to this sense of tranquillity: 1. Sound of Waves: The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore creates a natural white noise that can be incredibly...
Unlock your Olympic Mindset: Shared Mental Strategies of Elite Athletes and People Living with Chronic/Persistent Pain Introduction Over the past few weeks, many of us have enjoyed the Olympics. Chatting to my clients/patients during the Olympics and afterwards, in my psychology and hypnotherapy clinic in both Milton Keynes and on-line; I shared the fact that some of the skills I was teaching them, to their surprise are also taught to elite athletes. Whilst the worlds of Olympic athletes and individuals living with chronic pain might seem vastly different at first glance. One group is celebrated for their physical prowess and endurance, while the other is often overlooked despite their daily struggles. However, a common thread links these two groups: the use of psychological techniques to...
Quite often at this time of year, I’m discussing travelling with my patients at my chronic pain clinics both online and in-person at Milton Keynes. Living with chronic pain can be challenging, and the thought of travelling might seem overwhelming. Yet, with some careful planning and practical strategies, you can still enjoy your trips while keeping your pain under control. Let’s go through some of the strategies you can use when travelling with chronic pain to help you stay comfortable and avoid flare-ups. 1. Plan Ahead Research Your Destination: Choosing the right destination is crucial. Consider selecting places that are accessible and have amenities to support your needs. Look into the availability of medical facilities and pharmacies. The more you know about your destination, the...
Although the weather in the UK, isn’t always so hot, when it is, we often find it more difficult to sleep. As we know lack of sleep affects our chronic/persistent pain, I often asked about this, in both my face-to-face pain psychology clinic and my on-line clinic, so this article is going to talk about how to sleep better in hot weather. Firstly, it is important to recognize that the human body has an important regulatory mechanism known as thermoregulation. This system strives to maintain a stable internal body temperature, which is vital for the various bodily processes to work at their best. During hot weather, the external environment becomes warmer, which challenges this delicate balance. When we sleep, our bodies typically undergo a natural...
As a hypnotherapist, you are dedicated to helping others heal and grow. However, to sustain this important work, it’s imperative to prioritize your own self-care. By taking deliberate steps to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health, you not only enhance your quality of life but also become a more effective and resilient practitioner. Remember, self-care is not selfish—it's a vital component of being a compassionate and competent hypnotherapist. Invest in yourself so you can continue to invest in others. If you would like more information about self-care, view my video below.
I have often posted about how eating the right foods can help with chronic pain. So I will start with a quick recap. If you know the science behind your food choices it is much easier to make good choices. It is all about inflammation, which lies behind or worsens much chronic pain. Your immune system works largely through your digestive system. The microbiome, in your large intestine, contains beneficial organisms which control inflammation. If you eat the wrong foods you can become inflamed. This can send pain messages to your central nervous system and you feel awful. Later I will share with you a list of some of the foods you should eat and some you should avoid. You may already know this, and...
We know that anxiety can increase pain and our perception of pain. At the moment we are living in a world situation that feels very unstable, uncertain and indeed dangerous in places, and it makes most of us more anxious than we would usually be. For some of you, this may be leading to a spike in chronic pain. It seems a good time then to go through some ABCs about anxiety. If you can control your anxiety, then you may find it is easier to work to lessen your pain. There are some very basic things you can do which might just get that anxiety down a little bit. There are some common triggers to anxiety. You will not have all of these but...
When I wrote my book on Long Covid (with Shelia Granger) I dealt with fatigue at some length. I know it is one of the major problems people who are dealing with Long Covid have to face. This week I am going to run through one of the main issues which people have to cope with and I hope to give some tips to lessen the symptoms. Long Covid brings a special sort of fatigue Fatigue is a symptom of modern life. It is estimated about 10 percent of people are experiencing some degree of fatigue at any time. But the fatigue which Long Covid brings does seem to have some unique symptoms. It is severe exhaustion not just tiredness. It is not relieved by...
