More Mind-Body

A British journal called the Daily Telegraph published an article titled, “Chronic Pain is Determined by Emotions.”  The scientists were trying to determine why some people heal from injuries where others have symptoms that fail to heal and potentially complicate them throughout their entire lives.  What is the common denominator to chronic pain?  In this article, as the title suggests, the scientists concluded that chronic pain can be predicted by the level of emotion associated with an injury.  More specifically, brain scans show that the more active certain parts of the brain are during and after an injury, the more likely the injured person will have chronic pain and a delayed healing response.  The lead researcher from Northwestern University concluded that it has less to do with the injury itself and more to do with the interaction between the injury and the emotional state of the brain.  The scientists even suggest that some injuries may have more excitable activity in these parts of the brain to begin with, causing their injuries to be more complicated. 

This is yet another article showing the importance of the brain-body connection.  We are much more than a bunch of accumulated parts.  Not long ago, modern medicine disregarded this more holistic outlook as a sort of new age nonsense.  Today, even the most conservative medical publications are looking at the importance of the brain and the emotions in all aspects of health and disease.  The first thing the Mayo Clinic gives you when you are seeking care for Fibromyalgia is a booklet on, believe it or not, forgiveness.  What does this mean to you?  First, recognize the importance of healthy emotions.  Secondly, if you are dealing with a chronic pain or injury, find a way to deal with the emotions related to that injury.  Forgiveness is a great place to start.  Also, make sure to look for the silver lining.  Everything life presents us with is an opportunity to grow and learn a lesson.  It may sound funny, but when you can embrace the lesson and be truly thankful for the opportunity that an injury or pain has given you to learn, then healing can begin.  I understand this may be a bit much for some people.  If nothing else, recognize the significance of the mind-body connection and use relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, prayer, or merely quiet time to reduce the excitability of the brain and minimize the stress response.