Are pain medications the ONLY way to "cure" pain?

Question

Can prayer ACTUALLY cure pain?
Is there such a thing as "thinking" pain away?
Do YOU have the ability to think YOUR pain away, or does your pain need to be managed by a judicious use of pain medications, mixed with prayer?
I live in constant pain & accept it, but it doesn't go away. I have just learned not to make a big deal out of it in my daily life.
But sometimes the pain gets bad and no amount of acceptance is going to make it easier to live with, so I take pain meds and I pray for relief.
Does this make me weak, or a "bad" person? There are so many "gurus" out there spouting off the wall philosophies about how we should live our lives. California seems to be bad for this. Can we believe ANYTHING they say?

Answer 1

I am so sensitive to medications I cant take anything other than an over the counter muscle relaxer and anacin. When I have surgery they give me demerol and I am really stoned and flying on it - cant drive because I am legally and functionally impaired.

I learned bio feedback, I have been to a Pain Management Clinic, however most of their program is aimed at people addicted to pain medications and street drugs, so it wasnt really relevant to my situation.

I meditate, I use prayer, hot baths, a heating pad, I talk to God, I distract myself as much as possible, try to keep busy, I work out doing stretching exercises everyday.

I am able to block a lot of the pain by using the bio feedback but far too often it breaks through and it cant be managed. I have to manage my life by not overdoing or doing things that increase the pain.

Often the pain is so bad I am nauseated, unable to eat, it even hurts to breathe, then I do just give in and cry -

Positive thinking be damned, people have called me "Polly Anna" my whole life and I am sorry BUT positive thinking does not HEAL legitimate physical injuries and problems.

The person who says that is just being insulting, maybe HER problems are all in HER head -- but when you have xrays and MRI's and other proof that you have a serious PHYSICAL INJURY she can go chase herself around her pulpit IMO.

Self righteous sanctimonious old biddy - yah Polly Anna is po'd right now

Answer 2

You are absolutely not a bad person for taking pain medication. Sometimes it's really necessary.

Have I actually had something other than medication heal the pain? Yes. Just last week I had a bad migraine brewing as our community choir practice started. As I sang the beautiful, complex music of the Messiah and the baroque song in German we were working on, the pain totally went away and stayed away. Whether it was the diversion or the music itself I don't know for certain. I just know it worked.

I am able to "think away" some pain as well, usually more minor pain. I've found that pressure point massage therapy has healed much muscle pain I've had. I've also had amazing experiences with prayer healing the pain - and the illness or injury that caused the pain. For some types heat takes it away while for other kinds ice packs work better.

I have also had many times when the only thing that would take care of it was medication. Do what works for you, and what you feel comfortable using and don't worry about what anyone else says. That's between you and your doctor.

Answer 3

If this were in fact a "Perfect World" there wouldn't be any pain.
I believe that the ingredients that go into medications are here for a reason.
I believe that we are given the knowledge to put them together, for every type of pain whether it be back pain, arthritis,mental disorders and many others, to help us cope.
A good attitude helps, a heating pad is nice, an ice pack works for short periods of time.
I don't believe that taking medication makes a person bad or weak. A person has to make up their own mind, that they need help. Prayer, in my opinion, gives us the inner strength to carry on.

Answer 4

I am not a "guru" but I have been an LPN for the past 35 years and I have a clinical mind. Take whatever medicine you need for physical pain. That and a hot bath and go to bed.

Had migraines since I was a small child and have suffered tremendously until I finally met a doctor that would give me the meds I needed and send me home. After the menopause I no longer had the headaches and rarely if ever have need for pain meds.


Pain can be treated but we can only be proactive in pain management or we will keep that pain and continue to suffer.

Answer 5

I do believe in the power of prayer in addition to doing all we can to be healthy. I think there are certain conditions that require medication. When this is the case one should talk with their doctor about the options for which meds would be best and what the possible side effects are. We need to be involved as much as possible in our treatment.

I also think there are things we can do to improve our health and help with pain. The right type of exercise and eating healthy can improve our over all health and have positive benefits. I think some natural or homeopathic meds can be useful, if you do your homework on taking them.

I'm sorry for anyone who is in constant pain and can't get the relief they want and need. One is not a 'bad' person if they just can't think pain away. Each of us are different and the treatment that works for us varies. We need to deal with our pain in the way that will most benefit us, no matter what someone else thinks or says.

Answer 6

Well, those gurus aren't walking in my shoes, so I deal with pain in my own way. Between OA and Fibro', my pain swings high and low....the worst part is never knowing when it's going to happen, what kicks it in and how long it will last. I've gotten off the anti-depressants recommended for pain management, but do take Celebrex every day. Sometimes I get relief with cortisone shots...other times not so much. When the pain is at its worst, I'll get right to the orthopedic dr. and go on heavy duty pain pills...and most likely end up in therapy or seeing a chiropractor 2 to 3 times a week. Moist heat, massage, deep breathing techniques, leaning emotionally on my husband and/or friends, taking down time (and no longer feeling guilty about it)....all these things help. Mind over matter doesn't work for me and I stopped trying to do it on my own a long time ago. Refuse to look at it as being "weak or bad"....just taking matters into my own hands.

Answer 7

No this does not make you weak. I too live with pain everyday
and have for 16 years...I'm just 53. I have learned to do relaxation meditation where I get comfortable and tell my body relax toes...then feet...and on up slowly to my head and with practice I can get the pain to go very mild for a little while. Also I have found that mild yoga stretching and breathing exercise from a Fibromyalgia CD works great for relaxing and for pain.
I think the brain is capable of reducing pain but not taking it completely away. As for California, you will find those kinds all over the place. I say find what works best for you and don't let anyone tell you how to live your life...Thats me.

Answer 8

I never worry about what others think. They are not living my life. I don't pray. But I do meditate and or practice visualization/relaxation techniques. I know for a fact that relaxation techniques can control pain. It takes practice and concentration though. Meditation can also help tremendously. It also takes practice. I also live with pain everyday. I have fibromyalgia. I have not had to take prescription pain meds for the last 5 yrs. At one time in my life I took them every day every 6- 8 hrs. Back then I would take the pain med and then practice meditation and/or relaxation. I often have to take Ibuprophen for pain if I am having a bad day. If for some reason I find that I need pain meds again I will not hesitate to use them. Life is short and we should not allow ourselves to suffer needlessly.
I would suggest that you see about getting some relaxation CD's. Take your pain meds and at the same time learn to relax your body and mind. When we are in pain our muscles naturally constrict and try to shut the pain off. This only makes it worse. We have to learn to relax these constricted muscles even when they hurt. Believe it or not it can help the pain to ''melt'' away.
I used to suffer from Migraine headaches several times a month and would have to take Demerol and nausea medicine to get through it. After menapause I had not had one in several yrs. About 4 months ago I had one and of course had no pain meds to take. Because I had learned how to relax even when hurting I was able to get through this without pain meds. Anyone who has migraines knows that this is a monumental task.
Forget what the ''gurus'' say..it's your body and your life.

Answer 9

My mom is a Christian Scientist and only believes in healing through prayer. I have watched her suffer for many years because she was too stubborn to take advantage of the wisdom that God gave doctors. Now she is laying in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and no medicine for her pain or anything else.

Do you remember when we were young and pregnant? Did you take a Lamaze class, like almost everyone did in those days? I still use the breathing techniques to relax and un-knot the pain. It's like meditation or acupuncture, but a lot easier.

Relax, close your eyes, run your hands around your stomach in clockwise and counter clockwise directions. Think about what you are doing. Open your eyes and focus on an object in front of you. Breathe in and out slowly while lightly going in circles with your hands on your stomach and focusing on that object. Soon the pain that is all knotted up in one spot, will be released. If you stay relaxed and focused, your pain will be tolerable. I still do that when I can't take the pain. It really helps. Be at peace and relax.

If that doesn't work I take a Darvacet and go to bed. No guilt, no pain!

Answer 10

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