Training the mind to ease the pain

For the past year, Redwood Reider has been practising craniosacral therapy from a small space located behind Detour Studio in Tākaka. Synching in with that practice, they now offer brain retraining therapy for chronic pain sufferers.

According to Redwood, chronic pain is one of the biggest causes of sick days in our society, and many sufferers are falling through the cracks of the medical system. “And I was one of those people,” says Redwood.

As a dual citizen of New Zealand and the USA, Redwood consulted more than 20 doctors from a variety of specialities. No-one was able to diagnose their condition. Finally, they attended a three-week intensive course at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and learned about the neuroscience around chronic pain.

“Basically, chronic pain can take on a life of its own. Like when pain persists, often the original injury is healed, but pain persists in the nervous system.”

Redwood says studies have shown there are actual changes in the brains of long-term chronic pain sufferers. Apparently chronic pain can affect 16 different parts of the brain.

“The brain is changing all the time, and if we understand how it all works, we can change the equation.”

Cognitive behavioural therapy, the biopsychosocial model that Redwood works with, looks at thoughts, emotional responses, and behaviours.

“My health recovery accelerated when I finally studied the neuroscience behind chronic pain and got the training to apply it to my own situation. Through an intensive programme of brain retraining, working with my thoughts, emotional responses, and behaviours, my nervous system’s patterning began to change… and I am living proof of that.”

It took them a year to heal after 11 years of suffering chronic pain. Biodynamic craniosacral therapy (BCST) was also an intervention that helped, which is why Redwood became a practitioner. “BCST enables the nervous system and tissues to unwind into states where deep healing can occur – releasing tension and trauma,” they said.

Now able to enjoy dancing and tramping again, Redwood is equipped with a toolkit to help others.

Part of that toolkit includes teaching meditation. Redwood is introducing a three-week course specifically for chronic pain sufferers, with a free talk on Thursday 1 June, 5.30pm at the Community Centre. For more information, visit www. redwoodhealth.net, or ph 027 359 4522.

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