What can I do for Chronic Pain?
March 2, 2008 by Liz Harper
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Question - Hi Liz, I’m just wondering if you can help me out with a question about “Chronic Pain”? I’m a 46 year old female with chronic pain in my right shoulder. I’ve tried both Physio and chiro, but nothing seems to work…Is there anything I can do myself to help? Are there any exercises or stretches?
Answer - To help answer this question I have called upon the expertise of my colleague Madeleine Edgar, Physiotherapist & Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner MAFG
This was Madeleine’s reply - You should consider the Use of the Feldenkrais Method®
There are three types of pain.
- Muscle pain (85%)
- Nerve pain (10%)
- Bone pain (5%)
Muscle pain is usually dull achy pain. It comes from the muscles being tight or contracted all the time. The muscle cuts off its’ own blood supply & develops scar tissue. This is called ischaemic pain (no oxygen)
Nerve pain is usually sharp, stabbing pain & can be local or referred down an arm or leg (as in sciatica)
Bone pain feels like bone on bone (as when there is no cartilage left in a knee joint)
Most people can distinguish these types of pain & may have a combination of them, (joint pain is a combination). I subdivide pain into good pain (it hurts but feels like it needs to be done) or bad pain ( ouch, don’t touch me!)
Learning to use the Feldenkrais Method® means that you give your nervous system (which controls your muscles) the opportunity to move in some non-habitual ways. The two things that get us into trouble are protective movement patterns & habits. We need habits, we couldn’t exist without them, but as we get older they get stronger & pull us more & more out of alignment, then we do a simple movement & hurt ourselves (the last straw!)
Our nervous systems remember every injury we have had, both physical & mental, & are always subtly protecting that part of us, but this is below our awareness so we can’t consciously change it. The Feldenkrais Method® is a very gentle & safe way to allow the nervous system to feel easier, non habitual ways of moving that can release us from those patterns & free us to move in a more natural way again. This often results in pain relief by freeing the muscles, opening up the joints & getting pressure off the nerves.
If you have a specific problem, Functional Integration® (private lessons) are a good way to start as the Practitioner can sense where there are muscles protecting or overworking. Awareness through Movement® classes are also available to help you become more resourceful in solving your own problems.
For further information www.marvellousmovement.com
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That’s no good. Have you had an MRI?
Hi Buck. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I guess we should have been more specific with the details, but didn’t want to give too much away about the person.
In answer to your question, Yes, the person in question has been through the normal avenues (ie doctor etc) and is searching for exercise/movements etc that she can do herself to ease the discomfort.
I can also personally testify to the benefits of Feldenkrais Movement as have had issues with my own shoulder due to winged scapulae and previous infraspinatus damage and have found that the Feldenkrais method has eased my pain considerably when used in conjunction with my strengthening program.
However, I recommend that anyone with chronic pain should seek their own independent medical advice.
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