Chronic Pain
If you are looking for relief and support in dealing with your chronic pain, you have landed on the right page. Here we will take a look at definitions of pain, causes of pain and how pain affects the whole body, and how Bowenwork may be able to help you. Acute pain is loosely defined as pain that lasts anywhere between 30 days to 6 months since the onset of the pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for 6 months or more. There is an "alternative" definition that I happen to like a lot better…Chronic Pain is any pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. These people (maybe even you) are in pain as a result of an accident, injury, surgery, disease, or disorder. The most common types of pain are back pain, bone and joint pain, muscle pain, and headaches. The side effects of chronic pain can be just as devastating as the pain itself. Side effects of chronic pain can include: anxiety, depression, seclusion, sedentary lifestyle, and even addiction to pain killers. Bowenwork addresses the body as a whole: physically, chemically, emotional/mentally, and energetically. Let's take a look at how these factors play a role in chronic pain. Physical: Our physical body sure can take a beating! Poor posture, lack of exercise, over exercise, incorrect alignment, sleeping postures, too much computer work, too much driving, too much sitting…I could go on and on…but the end result will be increased muscle tension, then…pain. Pain showing up as Headaches, Migraines, back pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, frozen shoulder, and leg pain. Just to name a few! Chemical: We are exposed to myriad chemicals on a daily basis from the cleaners we use in our homes, shampoos, deodorants, and perfumes, to other environmental toxins like fertilizers, car exhaust, paint, etc… When we are exposed to these and other environmental chemicals, the body responds to the toxins most commonly in the form of a headache. Other pain responses to chemical exposure include neck tension and pain, and eye strain leading to tension headaches. Emotional and Mental: Our body mind connection is SO strong, it's amazing. Do you remember the last time your were startled by a loud noise? Do you remember your body's physical response to that noise? Most likely, every muscle in your body tightened, your shoulders leaped up to your ears, you probably furrowed your eyebrows, and you may have even crouched down or ducked. This response is your Sympathetic Nervous System protecting you with a fight or flight response to a threat, a perceived threat, or a stressful situation. Our nervous system remembers these stressful emotional and mental events and these memories live in our muscles. Over time, continued emotional and mental stress can present itself physically in the form of unexplained body aches and pains, sleeplessness, anxiety and depression. Energetic: Being in constant pain is exhausting. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. People who live with chronic pain are tired. But here is the catch…they can't sleep because their pain keeps them awake. Their sympathetic nervous system is on high alert to either fight the pain or run away from it. This lack of energy, lack of quality sleep, and increased stress is a viscous cycle that can lead to even more physical and emotional pain. How can Bowenwork help with Chronic Pain? The use of Bowenwork as a modality to help manage chronic pain has been found to be quite effective and profound by many people seeking relief. The most profound aspect of Bowenwork is its ability to facilitate the rebalancing of the autonomic nervous system from a "fight or flight" sympathetic response to a "rest, digest, and heal" parasympathetic response. In addition to this, the "moves" of Bowenwork also help to: *break the pain/muscle spasm loop by effecting the stretch reflex in the muscle tissue. *stimulate the joint proprioceptors in the joint capsules and ligaments which help to normalize joint function. *activate the lymphatic system to facilitate detoxification and stimulates the immune system *set up vibrational patterns which bring the body back into balance and harmony Neck and Shoulder Pain |
