THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF MEDITATIVE PRINCIPLES TO TREATMENT REFRACTORY PAIN CONDITIONS

Daniel M. Rockers, Ph.D. University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA The potential psychological mechanisms mediating physically expressed pain are investigated through separate yet related means in case studies. In case 1, pt BI suffered from RSD/CRPS I and was treated with GSR and thermal, while in case 2 TT experienced a number of difficult conditions including biofeedback sciatica, acid reflux, breast soreness, anxiety and headaches and was treated with hypnotically induced meditation and self‐induced meditation. At three months into treatment, BI had reduced pain ratings by 40%, increased sleep time by a factor of two. At four months into treatment, TT had decreased pain ratings by 40% and decreased pain medications intake by 50%. Although the treatment modalities themselves appear disparate, they both involve the common underlying theme of regulating attentional thought processes from an intentional and conscious perspective. As applied to pain states this is useful because each thought, feeling, idea or perception involves some type of physical or physiological response. Uncontrolled and unregulated thought process of the mind can create (and through habituation maintain) offensive physiological conditions. Extant examples include angina, hypertension, and tension headache. Specific methodology applied to the above cases involved training in elements of Hinduist 1 , Buddhist 2 and Taoist 3 meditative principles with the goal being the increase in and volitional directing of attention. This involved quieting the thought processes of the mind and was accomplished in a variety of ways, including the utilization of external devices such as biofeedback instruments, through breathing exercises 4 , and examination of thought processes. 1 Easwaran, Eknath. (1987). The Upanishads. Tomales, California: Nilgiri Press 1 Easwaran, Eknath. (1985). The Dhammapada. Tomales, California: Nilgiri Press 1 Evans‐Wentz, W.Y. (2000). The Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation: The method of knowing nirvana through knowing the mind. New York: Oxford University Press. 1 Lamrimpa, G. (1995). Calming the Mind: Tibetan Buddhist Teachings on Cultivating Meditative Quiescence. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Press 1 Walker, B. (1992). Hua Hu Ching: The Teachings of Lao Tzu. Clark City Press. 1 Rama, S., Ballentine, R., & Hymes, A. (1998). The Science of Breath.