Pain and Trauma – 3 hour ZOOM interactive class
Course Description: People can be traumatized by any event (internal or external) that they perceive (consciously or unconsciously) to be life-threatening. Pain can affect Trauma in a causative or correlative way. Pain can cause trauma or Trauma can cause Pain, or they can co-exist and intermingle. Perception of trauma and pain vary with age, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status and culture and life experience.
Among the less obvious causes of trauma are:
- Pain, especially extreme pain or pain that is not resolving
- Pain brought on by Minor MVA’s (even fender benders), especially those that create whiplash
- Pain following Invasive medical and dental procedures (some procedures, e.g., pelvic exams, can be experienced as an attack, even if they make rational sense for preventive care)
- Injuries due to Falls
- Illness (especially when there is high fever)
- Prolonged immobilization (e.g., casting, splinting, even braces)
- Being left alone for long periods (especially in young children)
- Unexpected exposure to loud noises, bright lights, or extremes of heat and cold
Trauma has its own unique physiology and symptom picture. Polyvagal and stress theories inform patient-centered treatment for trauma and pain. Massage therapists who complete this class will be better able to demonstrate good boundaries and empathy in therapeutic relationships and provide additional support for patients with a history of trauma while maintaining LMT scope of practice. To purchase this class for a group of 4 or more students, have each participant contact me to sign up for this class and CLICK HERE.