May 2012 
The Pain Center |  Live More Comfortably  |  eNewsletter Header
We hope this note finds you continuing to do well and living your valued life. The article below by Dr. Eddie O'Connor, one of our psychologists at the Pain Center, can help you maximize your ability to function.
  

Maybe it has been a while since you've been to the Pain Center or your life has changed and you are challenged by new stressors. Below you will find the questions and answers you need to get yourself back to living your values.

 
 Pain Psychology in 60 Seconds

 

  • What do you value? If you could have a truly wonderful experience in your most valued area of living - what would it look like. What behaviors would you engage in every day?
  • If you are not engaging this value daily, why not? What feeling or experience are you trying to avoid by stopping these behaviors?
    • Are you trying to control this experience?
    • Is this experience controllable?
    • Have your efforts to control these negative or frightening feelings worked?
    • Who would be wronged if you allowed these feelings?
    • Who is hurt by trying to control these feelings?
  • Are you stuck ruminating about the past or afraid of the future? Use mindfulness and relaxation to live life in the present moment.
  • Are your thoughts tearing you down, scaring you, discouraging you? Remember, your mind is not your friend. It's job is to worry to protect you from harm ... it works great for survival, but not for higher levels of happiness that require a willingness to experience pain in the pursuit of happiness.
  • What one small thing will you do today to make your behavior more consistent with your value by one point? (0 = Not living value at all, 10 = living my value exactly as I described)
    • What are you willing to bring along with you & experience so that you can live a more valued life?
    • For example, if your pain is typically 4-5/10 and you avoid sitting in bleachers to not aggravate your back, you may say "I will watch my son's little league game for the first time this season, change positions if my pain goes to 6/10 and be willing to feel pain 7/10 before I have to leave so that my relationship with him improves. I miss him."

 

 

News & Updates

 

discussing the importance of focusing on valued living while in pain and one of our graduate successes (from the WGVU Morning Show with Shelly Irwin).

 

 

More than the programs ...
At The Pain Center, all of our doctor's and therapists see patients outside of the programs. If you have a new injury, significant stressor, severe pain flare-up or need to adjust your home exercise program - come back to the team that you trust. We're happy to help.

 

Have a question about a flare up?
You are still a part of The Pain Center family. If you ever have a question, please give us a call at 616.233.3480 and we'd be happy to answer it.

 

 
Sincerely,

Nicole DeHaan, PT
Physical Therapist 
The Pain Center at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
In This Issue
Pain Psychology in 60 Seconds
News & Upates
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