Is it possible to control pain, whether chronic or intermittent, with deep breathing techniques?
Studies show that slowed breathing confirms a long-held belief that yogic breathing can alleviate pain, and in fact, those who suffer high chronic pain levels need to also practice some form of focused meditation in order for some pain relief to occur.
According to anecdotal evidence, many who suffer from migraines can also experience effective migraine pain relief by slowing down their breathing. As many migraine victims will acknowledge, the feeling of an impending migraine attack can provoke a panic response, which can make the pain even worse by increasing blood flow and increasing heart rate. The only way some sufferers can make the pain go away is by focusing intently on relaxing in a dark, quiet room. The relaxation is achieved by slowed breathing.
A person who’s experiencing a migraine is recommended to lie down in a quiet, darkened area and take a very slow, very deep breath until the lungs feel as full as they can get. The breath should then be exhaled in an equally slow manner. The next breath should be equally as long, but while inhaling, focus on how the air is entering your lungs and the sensation of the air rushing in. Exhale through the mouth, and again, it must be done slowly with a focus on the sensation of the air leaving the body.
The same procedure is repeated five or six more times; by this point migraine sufferer should feel significantly more relaxed and the pain will most likely decrease to such a point that sleep will be possible. A nap at this point will be beneficial.
Slowed breathing can bring some effective pain relief for those who suffer from chronically painful conditions such as fibromyalgia or intermittently painful conditions such as migraines. However, for those who suffer more intense pain or wish for the pain to be completely eradicated, training in mindful meditation techniques will be more effective than simple slowed breathing alone.
If you find it difficult to concentrate on your breathing while experiencing the distress of numbing pain, it may be beneficial to listen to a guided meditation that is designed to direct your focus and inhibit your mind from wandering, as the mind is so good at distraction!
Bear in mind, that if presently taking strong medication to alleviate pain symptoms, then the techniques described in this article should be slowly introduced, with the intake pf medication being reduced as needed.
Before embarking on any type of pain relief therapy, whether medicinal or complementary, talk to your primary health carer to ensure that the right kind of treatment is chosen for your particular pain management needs.
