Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Saturday Gig

This is what I get to do on Saturday's now. I've been working at one of the local flower shops for a few weeks - just five hours on Saturday. But this week the owner is on vacation so I'm
working Wed/Thur/Fri from 9-5:30, then Sat. 10-3, then Mon/Tue/Wed 9-5:30.

I believe that being on my feet for five hours straight is what set off the pain syndrome I went into, which has blessedly been much better in the past week. But I have to admit to being a little nervous about this much work, this much standing time so many days in a row and still only four months after surgery.

I've been doing massage on Saturday immediately following work and that seems to be making a big difference so I'll continue with that. Also, the strain/counterstrain technique worked very well for me so I have another appointment for that.

I've been interested in the mind/body connection for a long time and what I've been doing along with the physical therapy is releasing the emotions behind the pain. I believe that until I do that, I may be looking at being in some considerable pain the rest of my life. Fortunately, it's working. My massage therapist is helping me with it and I'm using the technique Eckhart Tolle describes of bringing presence to the pain and the emotions behind it, many of which are very old. It seems I have a very heavy pain-body, which is not a good or bad thing, just a thing. I also think the same technique is helping me with other issues I've discussed in the past - maybe more about that later. :)

What do you think about emotions causing physical pain?

6 comments:

thailandchani said...

I absolutely believe emotions have an impact on our health. I just got over a case of shingles.. and finally realized, even looking at the rash, that it was old toxic stuff "bubbling to the surface" which is quite literally what shingles do.

So.. yeah. Absolutely.

Olivia said...

Angela,
I too believe that emotions affect our physical health--dramatically. In my particular case, I am a somaticizer--turn emotions into physical reactions in my body. In fact, I tend to become aware of my feelings for the first time via a bodily symptom. I am trying to change this by learning to feel my feelings and to deal with them, so that they don't have to manifest as physical problems.

Good for you for doing emotional work with your pain-body. I hope you feel better,

Love, O

Jane said...

This is a great post! I think we all tend to rail against pain. It's really helped me, when I get sick, to turn it around and embrace it and ride it through. I seem to heal much faster.

R.L. Bourges said...

emotions causing pain: definitely. your body is a bunch of memory traces and believe me, as you get older, some of those memories come back to haunt you. what you're doing massage wise and so on sounds like a very smart idea, Angela
best to you

Anybeth said...

I grind my teeth so badly in my sleep I've had 3 crowns, one root canal, I'm headed for another root canal, and I DO wear my nightguard...every..single..night.

I gues if I spread it around I'd just have minor aches and pains, but localize my stresses so badly my teeth are in jepoardy.

Unknown said...

Not only do I believe it, I've seen it with my own eyes. And hope I never have to again.