We can’t live completely pain-free. But what if the pain is chronic?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a life without pain. In case of tissue damage or illness, pain is even useful, because it ensures that you spare or treat the painful area. Often the pain goes away at some point. But sometimes it becomes chronic and it is unclear why. If your pain does not go away, you may suffer a lot from it.
There are several therapies to do something about it. Clinical hypnotherapy is used to influence the interaction between mind and body. EMDR is helpful when traumatic memories play a role. Craniosacral therapy is a body-oriented therapy that aims to ‘unwind’ tensions in the fascia tissue.
If you are hindered in your daily life activities, or even avoid some activities altogether, then therapy aimed at pain management is recommended.
Therapy for pain
You may already be following or have been following physical therapy, occupational therapy, or similar, making you to do physical exercises or activities appropriately. This is certainly important.
Still, you may need extra support emotionally, cognitively, or psychosocially. In that case, we can make a plan where we work with one or more complementary therapies.
To give you an idea of what to expect, below is a brief description of how each method works for chronic pain.
Being in hypnosis means that you have entered a special state of consciousness. Following the hypnotic suggestions changes the activity of and between brain areas responsible for experiencing pain. This has a positive influence on your thoughts and emotions and enables you to deal better with pain and reduce pain symptoms.
Hypnotic pain management suggestions may focus on: reducing pain intensity and discomfort of pain; replacing pain with other sensations; inducing hypnotic pain relief (analgesia); create deep relaxation and deal with shooting pains. Other hypnotic suggestions may be aimed at improving the way you deal with your pain.
The craniosacral system consists of the skull, the cerebral and spinal membranes (‘dura’) and the sacrum. The dura is part of the connective tissue system, or ‘fascia’, that forms an elastic network throughout the body. Our body consists of 25% connective tissue. It covers, supports and connects all structures in our body – skull, spinal cord, organs, bones, muscles, joints, blood vessels and nerves.
It is essential that the fascia moves smoothly with all our movements. However, tensions and blockages may have arisen as a result of, for example, illness or trauma. This can manifest itself in chronic pain symptoms.
With a gentle hands-on treatment, disturbances and tension in the craniosacral and fascial system can be noticed and treated. Research (2019) shows that a clear reduction in pain and improved function can be achieved.
If no medical cause has been found or a medical treatment has insufficient effect, EMDR can be considered. EMDR shows favorable results in some specific types of pain. These include chronic whiplash, migraines and various pains after an accident.
Chronic pain is often associated with post-traumatic stress. Pain and stress can be mutually reinforcing. Stress can exacerbate the pain and continue to evoke the memory of a traumatic memory. EMDR therapy can focus on the trauma or trauma-related memory, on a pain-related memory and/or on the current pain.
In people with chronic pain, we often see that breathing pattern is disturbed. Breathing is usually heavier than necessary, often through the mouth with many sighs and in the upper chest. This kind of chronic hyperventilation unbalances various processes in the body.
The Buteyko method aims to restore nasal breathing and a healthy functional breathing pattern. With a program of daily exercises, the ratio of oxygen and CO2 in the blood comes back into balance. The result is that the acidity of the blood, the water balance in the cells and the removal of waste products are restored. The nervous system also becomes less irritable and the pain sensation decreases.
Procedure
During the intake consultation we will assess your problem situation and issues, and the goal you wish to achieve. At home, you have already filled in the intake form, so you are well prepared for the interview. Together we come to a preliminary conclusion about the causes of the problem and what the best approach is. We may need a second session to clarify this.
Depending on your situation, what you have experienced and the changes that lie ahead, I can work with you with specific methods such as EMDR, cognitive hypnotherapy, breathing therapy or cranialsacral therapy. We discuss this in the course of the therapy or coaching programme, and together we decide about the excercises or treatment during sessions. Often you get some homework.
Rates and registration
- For private clients, see the different rates on this page. A partial reimbursement from the healthcare insurance is often possible.
- Different rates apply for coaching programs for business purposes, or paid for by the employer.
Do you want to cope better with pain issues and improve your vitality? Via the button you can immediately make an appointment for a free telephone call or an intake session.