Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group distraction for pain relief

What's you favorite way to distract yourself from the pain? I walk around outside a lot while listening to books on tape, but you can't walk forever. I'm new on the NSD.

Marty

Hello Marty!

I find eating something sweet and tasty like chelsea's NSD coconut and chocolate cookies (see recipe section) a pretty good distraction...
It's a bit of a pleasure and pain thing I suppose!

Stretching out (although painful sometimes) is helpful too. It helps your posture soooo much.

When I'm in pain I tend to hunch more and more into myself to sort of brace myself against it.

Stretching and swimming are so good. Even if you can only float about a bit to start with the water (provided it's warm!!!!) supports and relaxes you somewhat.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck with the diet.

Be sure to go in the diet section to post any questions you might have or to read through some tips in there.

Take care

Hi Marty, distraction is actually an awesome technique to distract our brains from pain.

There's passive distraction, such as walking outside listening to books on tape.

But there's also active, mindful distraction that you can use to help you get through daily activities on the short term (i.e. walking up stairs when your knees are bad, or opening a jar when your hands are bad). My favourite for this one is to count backwards from 100 by 3s. My brain is so busy trying to do the math that I hardly notice any pain. I've also used this technique to bring a friend out of a panic attack.

Other distraction games you can play would things like naming all the cities in Europe, listing all the boys names that start with J (or whichever letter you choose), and composing limericks.

Great post, Marty!

Hugs,

Marty,
You have gotten some good tips already.
Make it fun if you can, life is a gift and we can enjoy somuch if we stop looik and listena nd then get into action.
I have found people who are in much bertter health than us with AS, can often feel much mor esorry for themselves than we do. So get invovled in the lives of other people for a good cause. Giving away life, love and energy will cause you to get tired, but measure yourself, stay in control and you will become stronger.
Keep us osted.

Marty,
Werlcome.
What a good question. Right now I can not walk too far. So I have a chair that supports my back very well and I have been scrapbooking family photos. I am so far behind it is ridiculous but the memories that come flooding back when doing each page is great.
Good luck.

Well, this may not be the healthiest option. But I like to have a couple cold beers to relax and then play video games for a few hours. Sometimes I'm pretty stiff when I get done, but it's definitely a distraction that works for me.
Cooking is another good distraction. Pick a recipe, make a list, go to store, prepare, eat, cleanup.
Also, having lunch or dinner with friends always seems to get my mind off of the pain.

depends on the degree of pain. but here are a few things:

music, tv, movies, sudoku, the internet, work, walking, communing with nature, taking photos (outdoors), a hot bath, talking and laughing with friends and family, hanging out with my bird.....

My goodness Kat,

How I could have done with your huge array of games and activites for the past two weeks of half term with my three daughters!!!

We went through kids charades (it's got pictures not words so my 4 year old and 6 year old can play without help!) so many times we knew them all by heart and were guessing before the miming even started!! It was very funny!! LOL!

I know what you mean - I love coming on here - but it doesn't half give me back ache sitting on the computer and it's impossible to get good posture on my husband's huge "Man Chair!"

I'm not complaining though - it's well worth it!

You're right about puzzles, Sue
I get lost on my DS brain training some evenings!
I have yet to check out your links for games.
I shall get onto it now kids are back at school... if my baby lets me!!