Counting on Pain? Maybe You Should Be…
Next time you find yourself with a needle barreling toward any one of your body parts, revert back to your toddler days and begin counting out loud to anyone who will listen. And why is that? Because Japanese researchers were good enough to find that counting may effectively numb you to injection pain. (I know, I know. This is a little after-the-fact, isn’t it Mr. Clemens?)
In fact, patients who counted out loud while receiving a poke reported no discomfort, as opposed to non-counters who experienced both stinging (during) and soreness (after) the pick.
So why such an odd prescription for heading off pain? The theory here is that counting may influence the brain’s ouch-detector, thereby pretty much blocking out the pain.
Think you might still need an extra dose of boo-boo busting? Try counting and closing your eyes at the same time. Studies have shown that your pain receptors kick into high gear when you actually witness yourself getting poked. Look away and distract yourself with a little mental Sudoku and you’re bound to walk away from your visit with nothing other than a band-aid and a lollypop as a reminder.
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POSTED IN: A Mother's Wisdom, Across the Pond, Easy Health Tips, Medicine, Pain, Prevention, Your Body, Your Mind
5 opinions for Counting on Pain? Maybe You Should Be…
Paul B
Feb 23, 2008 at 8:42 am
I find that running to the nearest corner and screaming “NONONONO” repeatedly tends to reduce the pain. I’m not sure why, but after every shot as I sit with my sucker I think, hey that wasn’t so bad, and everyone agrees.
Liberty
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Yanno Paul, that same trick works pretty well for my four-year-old, too. :) Heh.
gabrielle
Feb 24, 2008 at 11:21 am
Great advice, Liberty. I’ll be sure to check it out.
Hey, where’d you get the neat “check me out” stuff on your comments?
Liberty
Feb 25, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hey Gab, you might know a thing or two about injections these days, I’ll bet. Hopefully this little tactic will work for you. :)
The “check me out” stuff is a trial on b5’s end. We’re just the guinea pigs right now. ;) You like?
gabrielle
Feb 25, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I like! I like!
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