Usually, it is described as an unending process that does not allow a patient to live a fulfilling life. Although the importance of physiotherapy in the approach to chronic pain is recognized, more focus is shifting to how mindfulness and meditation can be used as effective pain relief. Meditation combined with physiotherapy is a great combination (this approach will be discussed in this blog post) to deal with chronic pain.

Chronic Pain and Its Challenges

Chronic pain management is not just about a physical sensation but a lot more. It influences mood stability, sleep, and early locomotor patterns. Chronic pain differs from acute pain, which occurs as an injury signal and lasts roughly the expected time for tissues to heal. Because of this, managing the condition is difficult due to its complicated nature.

Sufferers benefit from physiotherapy in regaining movement, muscle strength, and ability to perform daily activities, but the balancing of the natural mind-body system is impotent within physiotherapy. It is precisely here that meditation enters as the instrument capable of changing pain perception.

Why is Meditation Effective in This Case of Chronic Pain?

Meditation is not an attempt to turn off an uncomfortable feeling; it is just a way to deal with a feeling without acting on it. Mindfulness meditation, for example, involves positioning the patient’s mind to downplay the emotional factor of the pain felt. 

Here’s how meditation can benefit physiotherapy patients:

Rewiring Pain Perception

Research has found that individuals with a history of daily meditation alter how the brain deals with pain. Energizing the parts that respond to automated systems and neglecting the pain-sensitive fields changes the feeling of pain.

Stress Reduction

This is so because chronic pain usually results in stress, and stress is known to exacerbate the symptoms. Prayer works on the nervous system: cortisol, as well as adrenaline, lowers, and the person relaxes.

Improved Emotional Resilience

Sometimes, pain can be frustrating, depressing you or causing anxiety. Emotions can be mentally tiring. Meditation seems to improve the patient’s general well-being; thus, they are better placed to cope with such problems.

Improved Attention during physiotherapy

The present study explored how using mindfulness techniques can help make physiotherapy exercises more beneficial. By focusing on movements, the patient attains a better understanding and control of movements, enhancing results.

Different Classifications of Meditation for Patients with Chronic Pain

To be very clear, meditation is not as complicated as it seems, especially if it’s your first time practising it. Here are some beginner-friendly techniques ideal for managing pain:

• Mindfulness Meditation: Tend to conscious, deliberate breathing; do not judge or become attached to thoughts or feelings.
• Body Scan Meditation: Gradually focus on other body parts; mention the uncomfortable areas, such as aching.
• Loving-Kindness Meditation: Teach attitudes of kindness to yourself, particularly to your aching parts.
• Guided Meditation: Watch and listen to a recorded session that aims to make you calm and distract you from pain.

Ways in Which Meditation Can be Incorporated into Your Physiotherapy Practice

People do not understand that it is unnecessary to spend hours doing meditations to make it work for you. Advice: use 5 to 10 minutes for the first session and gradually increase the time as you become more confident. Other people, like physiotherapists, often advise meditating since it complements physiotherapy, so talk to your physiotherapist and devise a plan.

For guided sessions specifically for pain, one can use apps such as Calm, Headspace or Insight Timer. One can also get into a meditation group to be fully motivated.