finding acceptance in our lives
To be healed does not equal to be cured when you have chronic pain because the chronic pain is persistent, incurable, and permanent.
But who doesn’t want to be free of all symptoms of a disease or a condition?
How much has it cost you physically and emotionally to NOT be healed?
If you are not cured of your chronic pain symptoms, does it mean you will never feel well?
Can you live a full and effective life knowing that this is permanent?
These are tough questions that you must go through on your way to being healed.
After I was diagnosed with Trigeminal and Occipital Neuralgia, I sought out cures from acupuncture to energy healing to osteopathic manipulation. You see, I thought to be healed, I had to be cured, so I kept researching, studying, trying procedures, and treatment protocols, yet I still had chronic pain.
As I woke up after weeks of struggling with being told there was no cure, I knew I needed to see a therapist who specialized in acceptance of what is. I asked her, “How can I live with this? Will I ever engage in the activities I loved before the chronic pain set in? When will I be well enough to help my family and friends with their needs? And especially, how do I feel whole despite this?”
By making time to answer these questions, I began to understand that “Healing and curing are inherently different. Curing means ‘eliminating all evidence of disease,’ while healing means becoming whole.” Lissa Rankin, MD.
I found myself dropping cured out of my vocabulary as I understood more about what it means to be whole. “Not broken, damaged, or impaired….” Dictionary.com
How can you head towards wholeness? Take some time to journal about how you want to live your life WITH chronic pain. Ask what does “to be healed and not equal cured” mean to you? Know that this is the beginning of understanding that you can feel whole, and still have daily pain. Become complete in a way that you never knew before since this all began.
Taking the time to journal your thoughts and feelings about your discomfort is an excellent way to reduce pain. Here’s a list of more pain management tools.
Healing requires harmony within your body. Not trying to escape it. Not making it separate from you and your thoughts. Feel delighted in all that it does for you and give gratitude for what you are able to do each day. Treat yourself well.
Acceptance of your condition allows you to head towards wholeness and expanded life. May each day bring you closer!
Pop over to the Pain Management Tools and Resources page.
Hugs!
Gail Sinclair, MHt, CNC is a hypnotherapist who helps those living with chronic pain go from discomfort to thriving by using hypnosis, pain management tools and resources.
She is a Master Hypnotherapist, Nutritional Consultant, and a Reiki Master Teacher. She has over 20 years in healing work and is an international award-winning speaker.
Gail lives in Portland, OR with her delightful husband, son, and cat. She can be found cooking, knitting, writing, and figuring out new ways to thrive with Trigeminal, and Occipital Neuralgia.
You can reach her at gailthriveswithchronicpain@gmail.com.