Pain Mgmt. Strategy: Relax

The first technique is simply to breathe deep.  Fear and anxiety can make your breath-rate speed up until you’re panting.  When this happens you don’t get enough oxygen and that makes you breathe even harder and faster, which in turn may make your heart beat harder and faster.  This cycle leads to both physical and emotional distress – the last thing you need when you’re anticipating exposure to pain.  To break this oxygen-deprivation cycle breathe slower and deeper, not harder and faster, to slow everything down again.  An added benefit to this tactic is that placing your focus strongly on one thing, reduces it on another.  You’ll probably find that time seems to pass faster when you’re concentrating intently on something.

Exercise is another good relaxation technique.  Like breathing deeply, it promotes oxygen intake, which can short-circuit an anxiety attack.  It also has the added benefit of tiring your muscles, which results in a secondary form of relaxation.  While this technique may not work as well for anxiety just prior to a test, it can be great if you’re having trouble sleeping after a stressful day and don’t wish to take a sleeping pill.

Medication also provides an obvious way to relax.  While you’re in the hospital sleeping pills and pain medication will always be available to you.  Many patients don’t like the idea of taking these drugs for fear of addiction, but generally this is a misplaced fear.  Your medication use will be strictly monitored and controlled by your nursing staff – you won’t be able to take more than you should.  Just knowing this option is available can help relieve anxiety.

Some medication may be available for certain out-patient tests as well.  I always get a sedative for my PET scans, because I’m somewhat claustrophobic and they take a little over an hour to complete.  I’ve done them without the sedative, but now I always choose to have it.  It reduces my anxiety significantly, and I’ve never become addicted to them.  Use the tools you have!

Another form of stress reduction and relaxation is the Reiki technique.  It was available to me at least once or twice a week while I was in the hospital.  Two trained volunteers work together, and the technique involves a light, gentle, non-invasive touch on head, shoulders, arms, hands, feet and calves that is quite different from massage therapy.  A session generally lasts no more than 10-15 minutes and can leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.  To learn more about this organization, go to www.HospitalReiki.com or www.ReikiInfoLine.com.