Mindfulness and Pain: Just Say Ouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What's
best way to handle pain? Just say ouch. That's a simplified description of role of mindfulness in reducing experience of pain. The secret isn't in focusing on painful sensation itself. No, power is in recognizing our tendency to say way more than ouch.
Here's basic math: Suffering = Pain + Resistance. Can mindfulness reduce sensation of pain? Not exactly, but it can markedly reduce total suffering we experience by illuminating--and even eliminating--our resistance.
Pain is a warning. It informs and motivates us. If you're resting your hand on a hot stovetop, it's important to feel that pain in order to remove your hand quickly and avoid burns. We need sensation of pain to protect our bodies from further injury.
Pain also teaches us new ways to move. If you are consistently hurting your back on weekend, your pain is letting you know that 1) you need to rest and 2) you need to learn a healthier way to work or play.
Chronic pain is more difficult. It is hard to find any redeeming value in long-term pain. We've learned our lessons already, but it persists, and there's not much that can be done about it.
Mindfulness is extremely valuable in alleviating experience of all kinds of pain but it is especially effective for those likely to hurt on a daily basis.
