5 Different Kinds Of Meditation For Pain Relief

Whether you are suffering from arthritis or other pain-related diseases, pain meditation may help provide you with relief. To understand the concept of pain meditation, it’s best to get to the bottom of the term 'meditation.' What is it? For a lot of people, it’s about focusing on breathing or clearing the mind. In reality, it is a general word for different techniques that train your awareness and attention. In the process, meditation can help focus your mind, relieve your anxiety, and even ease your pain. There are different kinds of meditation for pain relief that you can do. Here are 5 of them:

# Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is being aware of the moment or the present. It is about practicing attention and acknowledging thoughts without judgment.In a remarkable study, the researchers found that mindfulness can impact the same brain area targeted by opioid drugs. It may deliver a similar effect without the risk of addiction or overdose.You can also perform guided mindfulness meditation, where you listen to an expert and follow the instructions.

# Body Scan Meditation

When a person is in pain, he/she tends to pay attention to the affected area. The purpose of body scan meditation is to redirect such thoughts away from it and instead think about the wholeness of the body.

# Guided Imagery

Also known as guided visualization, guided imagery is active daydreaming. You create serene, peaceful sceneries, which may be imaginary or real.Usually, a person doing this type of meditation for pain relief relies on a recording. It can be their own, or an expert’s.If you are still mobile, you may attend a class. There, an instructor can be present to guide you, and you can do this meditation with others.

# Transcendental Meditation

Also called TM, this type of pain meditation is similar to MBSR as it is also structural. You cannot practice it without working with a teacher.It is also mantra-based meditation for chronic pain. You will receive your “word” after you go through a series of lectures and interviews with the teacher, and you cannot share it with anyone.TM shares similar aspects with meditation only that a person who practices it will eventually reach transcendence. In other words, the mind will achieve the highest level of pure awareness.

# Zen Meditation

Another term for Zen meditation is Zazen, and this one follows the principles of Buddhism. This philosophy revolves around the Four Noble Truths that talk about the origin and the end of suffering.