Cincinnati VA Medical Center

Mindfulness for Chronic Pain

Research has shown that the practice of mindfulness is an effective way to manage chronic physical and emotional pain. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what is happening in our minds and bodies in a compassionate, curious way. While it may seem counterproductive to attend to our pain, this type of observation can actually change the relationship we have with pain. This does not mean that the pain is not real, or is “all in your head!” It is well-established, though, that the way that we think about our pain actually affects the experience of it. Mindfulness teaches the skill of separating our experience of pain from our judgements/responses to it. This separation allows many people to reclaim control of their lives and pursue the things that make life meaningful, even with pain.

1. Awareness of Breath: The podcast below is Awareness of Breath

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2. Affectionate Body Scan: The podcast below is the Affectionate Body Scan.

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3. Mindful Body Scan: The podcast below is Body Scan.

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4. Leaves on a Stream: The podcast below is Leaves on a Stream

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5. Loving Kindness: The podcast below is Loving Kindness

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6. Mindfulness of Sound: The podcast below is Mindfulness of Sound

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7. Physicalizing: The podcast below is Physicalizing

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