How to Train the Brain to Block Pain

Using meditation, guided imagery, and hypnosis can reduce stress and focus your mind away from discomfort. These alternative methods have crossed into mainstream medicine as effective ways to manage chronic pain without medication. The techniques are simple to explain but may seem difficult to perform at first. In meditation, for instance, concentrating on just one sound or thought while blocking out all others is harder than it sounds.

Things You'll Need

• Meditation instructions
• Guided imagery scenario
• Hypnosis affirmations

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Instructions

• 1

  In meditation, breathe slowly and deeply and focus on only one action.

  Meditation is used to quiet the mind by eliminating a rush of thoughts and focusing instead on one thing: the breath in and out; a sound, such as "om"; a short wish for blessings for the world; or numbers 1-9 timed to breathing. Sit in a quiet, comfortable place with no distractions. Close your eyes. Pick a focal point and think only of that. Breathe slowly and deeply. As other thoughts pop up, notice them but return to your focus. The longer a meditation the better, but 5 minutes is fine for a beginner. Meditation should be done every day, and each time will make it easier to block out the world, reduce pain and stress, and gain a sense of well-being.

• 2

  Choose a place that makes you peaceful and happy.

  Guided imagery uses imagination to transport the mind to a place of peace and happiness. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly, and visit a place of your own creation. The scene is wherever you feel most content: on a beach, in the woods, on the top of a mountain. Visualize the scene. If everyday thoughts intrude, notice them and set them aside. In your scene, start to feel sensations such as the sun's warmth, a cool breeze, sand in your toes. Use the same scene each time so eventually you can easily slip into the image.

• 3

  Choose positive words for affirmations and think of the statements often.

  Hypnosis is generally practiced to a spoken-word recording. The speaker offers directions to help a person relax, to block intrusive thoughts, and then to change behavior. Self-hypnosis can be done by choosing affirmations (positive statements) that address such issues as chronic pain. Affirmations should be phrased in the positive: "My body is getting stronger and feels more comfortable each day."