Central sensitization is a modern syndrome and the potential antidote to an ancient practice of withdrawing the senses. Healing chronic pain:
Making Connections.
Now that we reviewed central sensitization and have a better understanding of pain misinterpretation, let's take a look at a technique and practice that has been used for centuries, ancient yet so relative to today's humans. Let's understand chronic pain and pain interpretation better.
Read about central sensitization: https://www.thevaulttraining.online/post/centralsensitization
Basic understanding of your 5 senses.
The five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch - communicate with the brain through sensory receptors located throughout the body. These receptors translate information from the external environment, such as light waves, sound waves, or chemicals, into electrical signals that the brain can understand.
Once the sensory receptors have collected this information, the electrical signals are sent along nerve fibers to the brain. These fibers pass through a series of sensory neurons, which relay the information to the brainstem and thalamus.
The thalamus is the primary relay station for sensory information within the brain. It processes incoming information and filters out irrelevant or unnecessary information before passing it along to the appropriate area of the cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain. Different areas of the cerebrum are responsible for processing different types of sensory information. For example, the occipital lobe is the main area for processing visual information, while the temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information.
Ultimately, the brain processes and integrates all of this sensory information to create our perception of the world around us.
Let's Talk about the withdrawal.
Pratyahara
The Fifth Limb
According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, pratyahara is the fifth limb of Ashtanga (eight-limbed) Yoga. It is defined in Sutra 2.54 as the "withdrawal of the senses from their objects." The text goes on to explain that the senses (such as sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell) constantly interact with external objects and draw the mind outward. However, practitioners of pratyahara seek to control the senses and prevent them from being overwhelmed by external stimuli. By doing so, the practitioner can turn the focus inward and cultivate awareness of the true nature of the Self.
Let's see what Swamiji thinks! (Best yoga resource site.)
The more confirmation we have the better!
The thalamus helps focus your attention by channeling sensory data deeper into your brain and stopping other signals from firing. Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to the thalamus. The reticular formation receives incoming stimuli and alerts the brain, so it is ready to respond. Meditating minimizes the arousal signal.
Making sense of it
I'm going to keep it simple because it's all detailed in an intricate way from both ancient and modern science; Let's pay attention here... If pain can be managed through meditation proven to be as effective as an opioid, central sensitization is a pain misinterpretation or sensitivity and pratyahara is the regulation of the senses where you can gain mastery of them; I'd say the yogis know a thing....
Let's trust our healing capacities!
It doesn't take much to practice just grab your air pods or whatever, lay down comfortably, and try this incredible meditation.
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Stay tuned for more on meditation and mindfulness.
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