Hi Team Auti Peri,
Welcome to the third video in the series with Amanda Hanna from SomaPsych.
In this episode we explore how to:
* identify our individual patterns of current or recurrent pain flares
* be present at times of reduced pain or “good moments”
* encourage the nervous system to imprint soothing and regulating patterns in our bodies.
How does the nervous system get to know what is painful?
What is uncomfortable? What’s tension versus tightness?
Please share in the poll which techniques discussed in this video that you have tried. I suspect this work needs to be done consistently and regularly to see longer term benefits.
The poll has been set to stay open “Forever” (which feels like more time than we need), so feel free to come back to this episode in the future and let us know in the poll and the comments what benefits you have noticed over time.
In case you missed the previous videos, the first offers techniques to use in the margins of our day to regulate our nervous systems and feel rested. And in the second video Amanda suggests how to stop anxiety spiralling at night and (hopefully!) get back to sleep.
Amanda discusses the work of Addie deHilster (she/her), Founder of Moved To Meditate. Addie is a Mindful Movement specialist who offers “Mindfulness practices for all the moving parts of your life”.
To explore her work into meditating and moving with pain, you may like to listen to these podcast episodes:
We'll cover:
* the discomfort that is a normal part of the meditation process
* meditating when the pain is more serious or ongoing
* what the research says about mindfulness and pain
* how the practice might need to be adjusted to accomodate pain
What you’ll hear about chronic pain and yoga:
* defining chronic pain and what makes it so complex
* how Yin Yoga practice can help you unwire habits and beliefs that perpetuate pain
* using Somatic exercises and Yin poses to build back confidence in movement, and decrease fear
* how Yin Yoga contributes to restoring your body image if it has been distorted by prolonged pain experiences.
You’ll hear about:
* addressing social anxiety and sensory issues that can come up for neurodiverse meditation students in a class setting
* the importance of offering multiple ways to practice a technique like Mindfulness of Breathing or Loving-Kindness Meditation
* stacking anchors to help students connect with the kinesthetic, visual, or auditory aspects of meditation, on their own terms
* being aware of how different verbal instructions may (or may not) work for everyone
* how Sue and Jan approach mindful movement or walking meditation for neurodiverse groups.
In this video we are lucky enough to have a star cameo from Amanda’s puppy, Layla! ⭐️ 🎥 🐕🦺
Zoom AI has provided the following summary of the conversation:
Conversational Discussion on Puppy Fascination
Sam and Amanda engaged in a casual conversation, discussing a puppy named Layla who was under the desk and seemed fascinated by a light. They briefly talked about taking notes and the appearance of a quill, before Sam prepared to record a video.
Chronic Pain Management Strategies
Sam and Amanda discussed strategies for managing chronic pain flares and reducing recovery times, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. Amanda shared insights from Addie deHilster's work on chronic pain management, including the concept of pendulating between neutral and painful sensations to help the nervous system reframe pain experiences. They explored techniques such as using opposite sensations (e.g., cold for hot pain) and planning ahead to mitigate predictable pain triggers. Sam emphasised the importance of explicit instruction for neurodivergent individuals, who may not naturally associate physical sensations with emotions.
Shoulder Pain and Hypermobility Journey
Sam discussed her experience with shoulder pain and her journey to understand its root cause, which she suspects may be related to hypermobility and potentially Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She explained that traditional medical approaches, like physiotherapy, might not address the underlying issue and highlighted her self-discovery process about "coat hanger pain," a term she learned that describes a specific pain region.
Chronic Pain Management Strategies
Sam and Amanda discussed strategies for managing chronic pain, focusing on balancing periods of pain and wellness. Amanda emphasised the importance of being present during "good" moments to help the nervous system better process and remember these feelings, which can help reduce the perception of pain over time. They also touched on how certain hormones and neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, play a role in regulating pain and mood.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and the series so far. The next episode concludes this mini series on nervous system regulation.
Wishing you a regulated week!
Cheers,
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