EMDR
for Pain Management
written by Sean Downes
We’ve all experienced physical or
emotional pain, discomfort, and
suff ering. Pain aff ects more Americans
than diabetes, heart disease, and
cancer combined. Pain is categorized
as acute, short term or chronic,
ongoing. Chronic pain is the most
common cause of long-term disability,
it can occur with depression, anxiety,
and post-traumatic stress disorder.
I’ve worked in pain management with
physicians who understood psychotherapy as an essential component to treat pain. A therapeutic process proven
to be eff ective in pain relief: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is a natural, mind-body
therapy that treats your nervous system, the whole condition, not just one part. It’s an integrative approach, enabling
relief from pain, emotional distress, trauma and other experiences that may hinder comfort and happiness. We all have
experiences we’d like to forget. EMDR is a process that facilitates neutralization of experiences that aff ect us. People
with a compromised nervous system from traumatic events, tend to be more sensitized to pain. People with chronic
pain may have an adversarial relationship to their pain. EMDR from a qualifi ed psychotherapist is clinically proven to
work through issues to change your relationship to and experience of pain.
Sean Downes is a Licensed Psychotherapist, trained in EMDR. Sean uses an integrative approach; combining talk
therapy and mind-body awareness.
Plant Medicine
for Pain
To learn more about the powerful world of plant medicine
and aromatics contact Elyse for personal consultation or
try her classes @ www.bendbotanica.com.
written by Elyse Williams MS, CNS, RH
In an age of opioid crisis, herbal remedies off er pain
management. As an intimate part of our planet, we can use
medicines growing in our backyard or found in our kitchen
spice cabinet. Healing begins with our relationship to our
own bodies. Pain networks in the body tell us to: STOP, slow
down, breathe, listen to what your body is telling you. Pain
may originate in the mind with trauma or emotional blocks,
nervous system receives cues from the body. By listening to
our body’s communication of pain response, we can ease our
pain using our natural biochemical allies, plants!
Excess heat and infl ammation: Use warming herbs, spices to
assist your immune system’s infl ammation response: cayenne
pepper, ginger, and mustard seed (crushed up in packs on
arthritic knees…with caution, can burn if left on too long!): acts
as anti-infl ammatories and anodynes (relieve pain).
Constricting spasm/pain of digestive tract: Use digestive
stimulants, smooth muscle relaxants like teas of cinnamon,
peppermint, and orange rind to bring circulation and ease to
painful bellies.
SAD (seasonal aff ective disorder): Warming relaxant herbs like
rosemary, marjoram, and thyme can be added to soothing
teas, warm baths, steam inhalations (put head covered by
towel over boiling pot of herbs to catch aromatic steam,
inhale) eye pillows for rest and restoration during darkening
days. My favorite: rosemary essential oil drops on far side of
shower to diff use as steam inhalation.
16 || BEND HEALTH GUIDE || WINTER 2017
“Blending Healing Tradition with Modern Science to Make You Whole”
GET $20 OFF
your first visit!
Elyse is a Registered Herbalist, Certified Nutrition Specialist
Certified Reflexologist & Reiki Master/Teacher
“A Tune-Up for the Soul”
• Reflexology
• Acupressure
• Essential Oils
• Reiki / Tarot
• Herbal Medicine
• Nutrition
Learn more at: bendbotanica.com
(607) 262-0269