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Unscrupulous
interrogators use pain and the threat of it because
they know that it breaks down resistance. Sufferers
from both chronic and acute pain sometimes feel like
the victims of torture. The unpredictable nature of
much chronic pain wears down even the bravest; a brief
experience of severe pain is enough to turn some of
us into gibbering wrecks.
Pain
of course is a signal. Once the reason for a signal
has been heeded, there is (theoretically at least)
. no need for further signals. Once a condition has
been recognized by sufferers, diagnosed by medical
practitioners and treated appropriately, pain should
cease. However, some pain signals gets stuck in the
‘on position’, some pain signals appear
to have no clear source, whilst some pain ‘cures’
treat everything – except the pain.
It’s
here that informed therapy geared to suit the individual
can help both in managing unavoidable pain and turning
down unnecessary pain signals.
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Intelligent therapy for pain |
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•
Will not begin before proper diagnosis of sources
of pain by a qualified medical practitioner has
been made
• Will teach ways of minimizing the effects
of pain using conscious (or cognitive) strategies,
including relaxation, reframing and guided imagery.
• Will also teach ways of minimizing the
effects of pain using unconscious suggestions
• Will take into account life circumstance
and the ways in which human needs are met
• Will encourage understanding of how pain
works and will encourage clients to recognize
degrees to which they can make informed choices
• Will develop increased control of pain
• Will enable clients to deal with any unavoidable
pain and minimize its effects.
• Will show clients undergoing treatment
how to participate fully in healing processes
and improve outcomes
• Will deal with any troubling past experiences
quickly and effectively |
There is no
set number of sessions for pain since there is no
one source of pain and individuals vary enormously
in their needs. Two to three sessions will introduce
and practise immediate pain relief strategies adequately.
Clients can then choose (in consultation with the
therapist) whether to take further regular sessions
or to have occasional coaching, for example when different
stages of a treatment are reached or as particular
times in the calendar that have proved difficult in
the past approach. Clients will be encouraged to notice
improvements in their ability to handle and control
pain from the first session onwards.
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