Sewing Needles and Pain Relief
For people experiencing chronic pain and/or illness, managing the daily symptoms and searching for treatments that bring wellness or relief can be relentless and exhausting. Many times I have felt desperate for a reprieve from chronic daily migraine and frustrated when I have come up short.
During one of my cycles of more intense migraine, I began to fantasize about putting sewing needles into my forehead at the location of throbbing pain. Although the image may be disturbing, I felt a strong desire to jab something into my forehead to match and distract from the pain. I began tearing through my closet of home supplies until I found my small sewing kit. I sterilized the needles, sat down on the floor, and punctured my skin with 3 sewing needles (note: do not try this at home, this is not a remedy for migraine). My roommate came home and found me sitting among piles of stuff from my closet, smiling, with sewing needles stuck in my forehead. She looked concerned and asked if I was ok, to which I responded with pleasure, “Yes, thank god for these sewing needles, I feel a little better.”
Later I found more evidence-based pain management strategies including acupuncture and the Cefely device for migraine shown in the picture. At times I would do anything to escape the present moment with the nagging pain and my body altogether as the source of this suffering. Anywhere but here would be nice.
My studies in Somatics and Pain Reprocessing Therapy have taught me that bringing attention to the body in the present moment can be a gateway to peace and some relief from pain.
For people with chronic illness and pain symptoms, focusing on the body may feel scary or activating. Instead, we can bring attention to the present moment by focusing on something other than the symptoms in the body. For example, try noticing the sounds around you. Find something you can see in front of you and notice colors, textures, and shapes with the curiosity and awe of a child. Maybe even notice a place in your body that feels neutral or pleasant, even if it’s your left pinky toe, tip of your nose, or your elbow. These exercises, among other somatic practices, have actually given me a temporary reduction in pain or at minimum, greater peace.
My attempts to escape these symptoms and my quest for relief ultimately led me back to my body and this present moment. I still have pain but I also have more peace and ease. If you are curious about how somatic coaching can help you navigate illness, pain, or even stress in your life, please be in touch.
Here are my upcoming offerings:
Somatic Transformation Group for People With Chronic Illness and/or Pain
Thursdays, Sept 5- Nov 14, 5-6:30pm PT
Weekly 10 session group covers topics including our relationship with the body, moving from isolation to connection, finding aliveness in midst of illness, grief and despair, resilience, and compassion.
Nervous System Regulation for Healing: A Somatic Practice Group
Wednesdays, Sept 11 - Nov 20, 5:30-7pm PT
Weekly 10 session group covers topics including building awareness of Fight/Flight/Freeze/Appease/Dissociate states, practices for regulating your nervous system, building safety and connection in the body, co-regulation, resilience, etc
To sign up or get more information about my groups or coaching, book a free consult with me today.
