Portraits in Tension-Based Pain

A. B. Frost - Published in Harper's Magazine 372, vol. 62

As I've traveled along this pain 'journey' I have gained some perspective about people who experience pain. I see certain patterns emerge, and it is quite simple to see these 'archetypes of agony' repeating over and over in the population. Spend a little time doing some people watching, and you will start to spot them too.
This is a short list of the types of people with pain that I've come to I recognize:

• Athletes
• Perfect Girl/Woman
• Super Mom/Dad
• Child Prodigy
• Caregivers
• Parents of a Troubled Child
• People Pleasers
• People that are unemployed
• Creative People
• Long Suffering Spouse/Partner
• People with Mental or Physical Issues
• Highly Successful Businessman or woman/Entrepreneur
• People under financial duress

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the types of people who suffer pain, but what do they all have in common?
                                      STRESS, of course!
The stress may be coming from an external source, family, friends or society, or it may be internally driven. Regardless of the source, it is our perception of the stress that causes the ensuing muscular rigidity, and triggers our Tension-Based pain. As our tension persists; the muscle blood supply is continually decreased; the diminished supply of oxygen will cause muscles to spasm, and eventually fail.
Do you see yourself or someone you care about in this list? If so, what can be done?

1. Use stress reduction therapies, such as yoga, exercise, walking, breathing exercises, or reflexology.
2. Change your perception of the stress you experience.
3. Make changes to your life to remove those stressors.

Pain is is NOT normal, and when you experience it, your body is telling you something is wrong. It's asking you for help. Keep looking until you find the answer.
***Peace to you all***