Manage your chronic pain like a FilmDirector:
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How a balanced approach can help you deal with the symptoms of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
A healthy way out of lockdown for people living with chronic pain.
Winter workouts can ease your chronic pain.
There is no point in pretending. This is not a good time for anyone who suffers from chronic pain. Perhaps you will be feeling a bit anxious or depressed because of the seemingly never-ending lockdown. Then the weather is bad, indeed if it is snowing or icy you may feel it is dangerous to go out at all. Stuck in the house, feeling a bit worried and a bit bored is common for so many people at the moment. Doesn’t sound great, does it? The truth is this can often be the time you least want to do any exercise. Yet it is even more important than in summer, I’ll explain why in a bit. But it might be that just reading that is…
The importance of touch for overcoming and managing chronic pain.
In the Coronavirus pandemic the things many of us have missed most is touch, Not being able to hug our grandparents or cuddle our nieces and nephews has, for many people, been the very worst part of a very difficult situation. Many of my clients and friends have told me that they didn’t realise how important touch was until it was taken out of their lives. We know, at some very deep and instinctual level, that touch is very important for our human connection and our wellbeing. This is true through our lives, from when we are babies in the cradle to when we are older. We all need to give and receive touch regularly in a loving and caring way. In the First…
Chronic Pain, holidays, virtual holidays, and our wellbeing.
Earlier in the year I ran an online event which I have called ‘take your head on holiday’, which many people with chronic pain joined. It offered you the opportunity of a hypnosis session which took you on the most wonderful holiday experience in your imagination. My aim is to allow you to use your subconscious to improve your mental health, to raise positive emotions, to help you relax and generally make you feel better. Lots of people have already told me they love this idea, and those that attended found it extremely enjoyable and beneficial. We have all been missing holidays because of the pandemic. This is a shame as holidays are so good for our mental and physical health. The ‘take your head…
OVERCOMING NEEDLE PHOBIA
With the good news, that the corona virus vaccine will be rolled out shortly, it seemed timely to write about overcoming fear of needles. Needle phobia is extremely common affecting at least one in 10 people. Often people who have needle phobia have had many blood tests or procedures as a child, so a fear of needles and injections sometimes, but not always results from bad memories of this in earlier life. Many people do not confront their fears because they are embarrassed. Often people do not faint or feel faint but do feel panicky when their fear is triggered. Having a vaccination can help protect you against serious diseases, so it is important to get vaccinated. Having needle phobia is nothing to be…
Osteoporosis and chronic pain: how non-medical intervention can help
Over 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis and one in six of these will find themselves in hospital suffering from a broken bone. It is a serious issue which can have a devasting effect on the everyday lives of many, many people. And it can cause pain, but this does not need to be the end of an active happy life. What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density. It is sometimes seen as a natural part of ageing and it does particularly affect post-menopausal women. But it can affect anyone, men and children included, so the advice I am giving can apply to anyone who gets the unwelcome news that they are losing bone density. The causes are complex,…
OVERCOMING FEAR OF WEARING FACE MASKS
As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, for some people, having to wear a face mask, has seen their anxiety risen to new heights and my office phone is constantly ringing with people wishing to address this issue. Knowing the health benefits doesn’t necessarily make us feel more comfortable about wearing face masks, as the reasons behind our anxiety can vary greatly. Some of these reasons can include feelings of claustrophobia, a gagging sensation, often our health anxiety kicks in because it’s a visual reminder of the pandemic, many people have fears around their oxygen levels and not being able to breathe. During our lifetime, phobias can be developed at any time and can be triggered by a wide variety of factors. For…
How does eco-therapy help people with chronic pain?
I am always encouraging my clients to get out into nature any time they can. I know it helps them. This is true both when I see people suffering from anxiety, especially as the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic hits us all, and also with my clients who come to me for psychology/hypnotherapy for chronic pain. The idea that nature is our natural cure is becoming more popular. It has a name – eco therapy – which is being widely talked about at the moment. What is eco-therapy? Lately a couple of my own clients have asked about eco-therapy and how they can participate. I was a bit worried that they seemed to think it would be difficult to access or to do. In fact,…