Mindfulness Matters

Trauma informed care for pain

Why is it important for all clinicians working with people with pain?

Mindfulness for Self Care

Experiment with a range of short practices to build attentional capacity, emotional regulation and self compassion.

A fresh look at pain education from a clinical perspective. What works? What doesn’t? WHY?

The session will include a 30 minute webinar and a 30 minute practice and discussion.

This month we will take time for ourselves to participate in a number of mindfulness practices. We will discuss the intention of each, normal responses, and the potential value of regular practice for ourselves as caregivers and our clients.

A patient’s story: fact vs fiction?
How does a patient’s story impact treatment adherence and the long term outcome?
We will discuss 
 3 questions 
2 observations
1 treatment approach
to help a patient reframe their story so that it activates the bodies healing capacity. 

The session is informed by mindfulness and the work of Brene Brown. 

Brene Brown Rising Strong

Last week I attended an amazing Rising Strong retreat reflecting on the research work of Brene Brown, run by the highly skilled mindfulness and self compassion teacher, Maggie OShae. I hope that one day you’ll all have the opportunity to attend a nourishing week like this. Wednesday will be a mini version! I’m really interested in opening up a discussion about Brene Brown’s research work on vulnerability and the relevance to health professionals. It’s a delicate play for us between being knowledgable, professional AND human. 

Mindful Movement for back pain – Part 2

Our focus for this session is on avoidance. With the example of lumbar flexion we explore why people avoid this movement sometimes for years after an injury. Mindful movement can help reset new patterns that include flexion in a range of postures and activities. 

Mindful Movement for back pain

In this session we will practice and discuss the rational behind bringing more mindful attention to movement to help acute and chronic back pain. Movement to not only increase mobility and strength, but also to reduce protective patterns, enhance immune and inflammatory balance and reframe beliefs.

The role of Mindfulness in psychologically informed care

Bring along your curiosity as we practice mindfulness together and discuss the integration of mindful moments into the work day. We will discuss how mindfulness allows us to explore the connection between the body, thoughts and emotions which is fundamental to a psychologically informed approach. There will also be plenty of time for discussion, and questions about training options for 2022.

Weaving your parachute

Bring along your curiosity as we practice mindfulness together and discuss the integration of mindful moments into the day. With the Christmas season approaching these pause moments provide a way to help manage stressful situations, support meaningful communications and bring a greater sense of appreciation to each day. Ultimately these moments weave our parachute so that when we encounter tough times, we have the inner resources to support ourselves and be there for others. I hadn’t fully appreciated the value of my parachute until this past month.

The POWER of SELF REGULATION and the WINDOW of TOLERANCE 

As human beings we have this amazing system that helps to protect us from danger. Commonly, especially if we have experienced difficult situations in our lives, the system can be overloaded which contributes to heightened stress, anxiety, depression, chronic health issues and more intense pain states. In this session we will explore self regulation – what it is, how to explain it to others and how to provide an exercise to train self regulation as a life skill. 

This topic is relevant for our own wellbeing as therapists and to the long term clinical outcomes of the people we work with.

Mindful inquiry of the body.

Be present – Turn in – Be curious – Feel, listen, see – Respond in new ways

Mindful inquiry of the body is a gentle questioning style that encourages curiosity to cast light on unconscious patterns in the body: the stress response, holding, posture, protective movements and associated thoughts and emotions. With growing awareness come insights, a shift in view and new ways of responding.

See information in blog post.

Georgie talks with experienced physiotherapist and amateur musician Michael Madigan about mindfulness for pain. We discuss group mindfulness programs for pain and implication for clinical interventions.