Chronic Pain Relief Through Breathing Exercises

I experienced severe pain when I had a cyst on my ovary the size of a newborn baby’s head. The cyst required surgery, which revealed severe endometriosis. My pain did not subside after surgery. The pain was so sharp, so debilitating, and I was helpless and desperate.

First, I tried mind-over-matter. For example, I pictured my favorite serene place where I spent a lot of time as a child. I would sit on a wet rock at the oceanside, explore tide pools, and gaze into the distance and into the waves. But through my pain, I couldn’t get there–the suffering  wasn’t permitting imagination.

Then, I tried relaxation recordings. But listening to soothing recordings of environmental sounds or classical music didn’t help me either. My pain wouldn’t let me get outside of my body to meld with the sounds and relax.

I discovered that trying to escape my pain with my mind didn’t help me, that what I needed to do was go deeper inside my mind, to concentrate on the pain, to let it happen, and to not be afraid of it.

I was not able to exercise, but I listened to my yoga videos often.  What I learned from them was to be ultra-cognizant of my body.  I paid excruciating attention to every breath I took in, how it felt entering my nose and mouth, my lungs, and circulating through my body.  I concentrated on my diaphragm expanding and compressing, on my blood being cleansed and oxygenated with every breath.  I listened to my being. 

Doing yoga breathing taught me to surrender.  I don’t mean I gave up and remained helpless in my pain, but I was able to control it.  I do not mean I had the power to lessen my pain, but I did have the power to accept what was happening to me, to mourn my lost time, and most importantly, to not be afraid of my pain.  I did not understand what was happening to me, but I did know that it could get worse, that I was mortal, and that I couldn’t fight it.

I learned that writhing, struggling, moaning, and rapid breathing were symptoms of fear.  Do not fight your pain.  Don’t be afraid of it.   Start by slowly breathing in and out, in and out.  Go inside the pain.  If you have a spiritual belief system, rely on  your higher power. 

Visit beliefnet for some additional strategies on dealing with chronic pain.  But always remember that you have the power to cope with chronic pain within yourself.

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