‘When I feel pain, I pause to ask my body what the root is and will often get a sense of what it is. Sometimes I will need to forgive others or myself, or I will need to consume or abstain from various foods,’ says Hannah Wickens, as she looks into the issue of women’s pain.
On reading Nurofen’s report on the purported minimisation of women’s pain, stating that women are twice as likely to experience prejudice from doctors when they present with pain, my first instinct was to applaud a clever marketing strategy to flog more pills. However, regardless of their motive, I sought to establish if truth dwelt within their claim, and what a faith-filled response could be.
A global awakening to the plight of women suffering in silence has occurred.
A global awakening to the plight of women suffering in silence has occurred. Candid descriptions of the crippling impact of pain, from celebrities such as Miranda Hart, have raised awareness of the impact of long-term illness.
I believe counties throughout England should have a pain management proposal that doctors can access. My county offers insight on how to live well with pain, signposting to pain-reducing practices such as mindfulness. These resources may provide a glimmer of hope for some or increase anxiety for others who believe they are destined for a lifetime of pain.
There may be accuracy in the contention that men are more reluctant to seek help for pain
Either way, pain is far too ubiquitous and the pathway out of pain is fraught with trip hazards and especially so if misdiagnosis occurs. There may be accuracy in the contention that men are more reluctant to seek help for pain, but on discussing the gender divide with doctor friends, the consensus was that women tend to have more complications due to female anatomical intricacies! Consider the feat of growing a baby - it is mind-blowing how the body contorts and contracts and whilst some bounce back, others may struggle with residual pain.
If pain is inevitable for us, how do we respond without reaching for a daily dose of Nurofen? Having lived with consistent pain for many years, I respond as a non-user (Nurofen agitates my stomach). I’ve had a range of diagnoses from fibromyalgia to potential MS. Having been scared witless by the thought of an autoimmune disease wrecking my body, without consent and without any ability to prevent it, I cried out to God in desperation and there I believe I found answers far beyond the reach of any painkiller. (I’m not a puritan, however, as I do take paracetamol for pesky hormonal headaches and the like).
Contrary to the testimonies of women quoted within the Nurofen article, I believe emotions can induce physical pain and, when envisaging a pyramid, the foundation layer would be thoughts. The mind gives birth to emotion and from that the body takes its course of action. I’m not negating the fact that unresolved physical pain can result in depression; it’s also true that unprocessed trauma expresses itself physiologically and predominantly as some form of pain.
On a recent excursion to the library with my girls, a children’s book on loving your body caught my attention. It’s written for girls and describes ways to love our bodies and be thankful for them. Humanly speaking it is crucial to love and accept our bodies and this book champions every shape and size with plenty of guidance and practical tips.
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I spent many years rejecting my body and living with eating disorders as my inner turmoil spilled outwards and this experience has led me to believe that self-hatred can be a root cause of autoimmune disease – the body attacking itself as the mind has taught it to. Not to attribute blame or shame, but merely to raise the profile of the mind/body dilemma so that we can change our trajectory and seek help.
The body sends us signals to alert us when something is amiss. When I feel pain, I pause to ask my body what the root is and will often get a sense of what it is. Sometimes I will need to forgive others or myself, or I will need to consume or abstain from various foods.
Doctors practice medicine, but God is medicine – the one who created us and knows us better than we even know ourselves: his love heals. When we truly know the depths of his love, I believe pain can disappear. I have experienced this myself. For fear often drives pain but perfect love drives out fear. A core proponent of healing is a conviction that God is love, he is good, and he wants us well and whole.
Please do your own research and consult with your medical professionals before making any changes to your medication.
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