United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi folks, have another weird experience to share and get a few comments about. Have noticed over the past few weeks when I get pain, I tend to tense up because I know its going to hurt and have found that when I do tense up it seems to numb the pain slightly and on minor pain it seems to gets rids of it quicker. But have found that when I do tense up over a longer period of time during a pain bout, the pain then comes back worse. Has anybody else found this to happen or is it only me, trying to get around the pain. Yes, guys I know it's a weird one, but hey you all said post anything......cheers Michael

Hi Michael,
I have found that when a really strong pain is on it's way I have to tense up and hang my head right down. It is almost to the point that I can't stop my head from bowing down with the pain, but if I try to not tense up and not hang my head the pain is worse.
Somehow it helps.

Yep, I'm a head bower too.

Sometimes, when I'm driving, it takes all my will not to bow my head during a spasm.

But yeah, the tense thing is true. A minor pain can be pushed back but when a doozie rolls in I just let it go and breathe my way though it.

Good observation.

Hi all,

This is very interesting to me as I have watched my son do this. But I haven't ever seen anyone else do it.

I can always tell when he is in pain. Now I know he isn't the only one.

Best to you all,

Karen, Ryan's mom

Michael,
About a year or so ago there was a post regarding tucking your chin to your chest when a wave of pain hits you. It helps for some reason, nobody seems to know why. So I do it any time I feel the pain starting. Henry's right about the deep breating. I can't wait for all this rain and cold to go away. Cheers....Karl...

yes really true sir,It looks odd when we are out in a public place or with many people around,but i really have to bend my head down to the maximum.also my head looks bent towards my left shoulder as I have to bend my heal downwards and t wards my left shoulder as my right hand is constantly on pain

Yes,I too nod to the grand diety on a nearly constant basis. The problem is to keep this from becoming a continual pose. I've gotten to the point after hunching around for three years that when I pick my head up, and assume my full former height of 6'4", that I feel that I'm in the rarified air of the himylas.
It's true though, the bow and tense thing does work, and is pretty much unavoidable for me. You guys discribed the whole businiess very well. It's too bad, but I'm glad it's not just me.
Onepaw

This is my first visit to this site and must report in a strange way it is comforting to hear others discuss and explain what I have been going through fot the past 8 years.
So is this pain in our heads?? The nerves to my left arm have been pulled from the spine, absolutely zero connection with out exposed nerves from the spine to allow reconnection. With no connection, why the pain?
Relaxing through pain seems to work for me, also the busier I keep the less prone to pain attacks. I find keeping occupied helps the most, I can function normally as long as I do not stop to think about my injury.
Having said that, when severe pain occurs, the head bowing,tensing and expecially the breathing help the ride seem little more comfortable.
8 years ago after my motor cycle accident, I remember lying in hospital with the oxygen mask always at my face as it seemed to control the pain. After hospital I would cup my right hand over face as if it were a mask and breath, this also helped.......
At this point I am lost for pain relief, I am currently on a short break from work and find the pain is far more intense, probably because I have time to think about.
So, is it in my head? Can we control it with positive thought?
Any ideas?

Dom.