How to stop pain naturally: cure chronic pain—from back pain to headaches—with this simple plan that targets both your body and your mind

Natural Health, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Henry Dreher

Start by thinking of yourself as a hospitable host, inviting a guest (your pain) in for tea. After you make your pain feel as welcome as possible, ask it the following questions. You do not need to write any of this down (although writing in a journal helps some people). Simply talk, either aloud or to yourself.

1. Ask your pain: "How did you get here?" Invite your pain to answer. The response may come in any form--as a voice, a shape, an image, a memory. It may be concrete or intuitive. Open your senses and feelings to whatever answers your pain gives.

2. Ask: "Did something emotionally upsetting happen just before you first affected me?" Listen to the answer.

3. Finally, ask: "Is there something you need from me so I can make peace with you?" Listen to the answer.

Calm Your Nervous System

Craniosacral therapy releases restrictions in the bones, tissues, and fluid that surround and protect your brain and spinal cord, together known as the craniosacral system. Structural misalignments and energy imbalances in this system can contribute to chronic pain, say Gatanis and Frey, and craniosacral therapy can help by calming your central nervous system and relaxing muscular tensions. Gatanis and Frey studied the meningeal approach to craniosacral therapy, which osteopathic physician John Upledger developed following studies he conducted from 1975 to 1982 as a researcher and professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

To strengthen your craniosacral system, Gatanis and Frey recommend using a still-point inducer, a small rubber device developed by Upledger. It costs about $15, and you can order it by contacting the International Alliance of Healthcare Educators (800-311-9204; www.iahe.com). Do not use this device if you have or have had an acute stroke, cerebral aneurysm, brain tumor, recent skull fracture, or any other condition in which fluid pressure changes within the skull. Practice the following once a day:

1. Lie on your back on the floor, either on a rug or on a mat.

2. Place the still-point inducer under your head, in line with your ears, 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the junction of your neck and skull.

3. Allow your head to rest on the still-point inducer. Close your eyes and relax.

4. Remain in this position for 10 to 15 minutes, using the time to breathe deeply or to practice whichever form of relaxation (like meditation or guided imagery) works best for you.

RELATED ARTICLE: How one woman overcame pain.

SUCCESS STORY

Betsy Smith, 55 New York City

When Smith (name changed upon request) got off the bus on September 11, 2001, she looked up and saw what everyone was screaming about: a huge gash spewing smoke and flames from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. She ran into her office at a firm across the street from what is now Ground Zero and joined her co-workers in front of the television. But after the second plane hit the South Tower, she fled on foot to her apartment. On her way she kept turning to look back. She saw people jumping from the buildings and watched both buildings collapse.