Other Mind-Focused Treatment Options
There are a few other mind-focused options that some patients have used to help control their functional abdominal pain.
Guided imagery teaches patients to imagine themselves in peaceful situations in order to reduce pain and increase calmness. Benefits to guided imagery include that it is easy do anywhere, it is free and there are apps to help get you started. There are limited studies that show guided imagery can improve abdominal pain if used consistently over several months.
Deep breathing can increase feelings of calmness and relaxation for teens with functional abdominal pain. Stress and chronic pain can cause rapid, shallow breathing so focusing on deep breathing may be helpful for some patients. There is limited evidence to show it is an effective tool for teens with functional abdominal pain, but it may be helpful for some patients.
Distraction and diversion can also be used which is basically just focusing your mind on something besides the pain. Watching TV, playing a video game, doing mental math or even going for a walk are all distraction options. Mindfulness can also be helpful as it assists patients in making connections between how emotions can affect their functional abdominal pain. Mindfulness is just maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your feelings, thoughts and body processes. It entails focusing on the present vs. rehashing the past or imagining the future. There are some studies that suggest long-term benefits of distraction, diversion and mindfulness on functional abdominal pain.
