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Palm Trees

Nice to Meet You, Warrior

 

Hi friends, my name is Kayla and thanks so much for checking out Mind the Pain Endometriosis Meditations.

 

I'm a behavioural research scientist and policy writer, with a background in psychology and public policy. Originally from Canada, I now live in Australia with my husband and cat.

 

I developed Mind the Pain following my endometriosis surgery. Failing to find relief, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by an amazing medical team that provided me with various tools to help overcome my brain's near-constant pain associations. This was due largely to central sensitisation — an issue for many endo warriors, resulting from the chronic nature of this unforgiving illness. 

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Although it took time, learning the science of pain and the power of mindfulness meditations for modulating the brain's pain response changed everything for me. My experience isn't unique, research even shows just simply learning about our pain (and the biopsychosocial factors that influence it) can help reduce it. 

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After discovering my ability to manage my own pain (beyond medicinal interventions), I really wanted to share these wonderful resources to help fellow endo warriors find relief — and unpack their own mindfulness powers. 

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Having loved meditation for almost two decades, I became a certified meditation practitioner, specialising in science-based tools for pain and stress relief. 

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I believe so much in the power of mindfulness and meditation for endometriosis pain relief — from both an evidence-based perspective and anecdotally, as someone who has personally benefited hugely from it.

 

I can say without hesitation that pain-focused mindfulness tools and meditations truly redefined my relationship with my endometriosis: turning it from something that made me fear going into public because of unexpected flare-ups, to a small shadow that I can finally face without fear.

 

I know it can be this way for you too, warrior. It's science :)

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You can start your mindfulness journey by listening here:

Meet Your Teacher

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Leaf Pattern Design

The Science Behind
Mind the Pain's
Endometriosis Meditations

Pain research shows that there are several key psychological tools required to help manage pain and provide relief, particularly for individuals with chronic, debilitating pain — like endometriosis. These tools include:
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  • Self-Compassion and Validation — Recognising the immense unfairness of living with this illness, on top of everything else life is throwing at you.
     

  • Empowerment — Seeing your incredible strength and resilience, despite the many hardships of living with endometriosis.
     

  • Attentional Control — Tuning out of the pain and distracting the brain elsewhere (in your body or environment).
     

  • Non-Judgemental Awareness — Tuning into the pain with a neutral curiosity for the sensations, recognising their impermanence and how they change moment to moment.
     

  • Breath Work — Breathing into pain and tension, thereby releasing muscle tension and stress in the pelvic floor and affected areas.
     

  • Visualisation — Since our brain requires so much effort to process visual stimuli, visualisation not only distracts from the discomfort, but also forces the brain to process imagery instead of pain. Over time, this neuroplasticity can transform the neurons that cause chronic pain so they're used for other things, which greatly decreases the feeling of pain.
     

  • Stress Management — Knowing your pain triggers and subsequent safety mechanisms (i.e., recognising your 'Danger in Me' and 'Safety in Me' triggers aka DIMs and SIMs).

     

Much of our pain comes not just from the endometriosis tissue itself, but also from the intense psychological hardship of dealing with this illness. Pain is our brain's response to threats, and unfortunately 'threats' can take many forms, beyond the inflamed tissue.

 

Managing endometriosis pain requires a tailored intervention to encompass each of the above psychological tools, in addition to recognising the grief this illness creates, well beyond the physical pain. 

 

Mind the Pain Endometriosis Meditations incorporate each of the above tools, while utilising some bits of lightness — making them perfect for both experienced and brand new meditators. 

 

While it can take practise, these methods can have real impacts on how your brain responds with pain. It's not always perfect, but it can feel empowering knowing you've got the tools within you to help manage this condition, even a small bit (thankfully, even small steps can be massive for us endo warriors — especially on the really bad days). 

 

They're the perfect way to manage your pain, while enjoying some incredibly well-deserved 'you time'.

 

Really hope they help, warrior.

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