Hand Pain Cross Your Arms

Researchers from the University College London researchers embarked on a proof-concept study of twenty people, noting the brain becomes confused where pain is located.

Researchers indicate the reasoning for this is by placing hands on the wrong side interferes with sensory perception.

According to pain experts finding methods to confuse the brain is the aim of many studies.

Researchers had used a laser to produce a four millisecond pin prick of pain to participant's hands without touching them.

The participants had ranked the pain intensity felt. Also, electrical brain responses were measured using electroencephalography (EEG) on each participant.

The findings which were from both of the participant reports and EEG, had revealed that the perception of pain was weaker when arms had been crossed over the midline. The imaginary line which runs vertically down the center of the body.

Lead researcher of the study, Dr. Giandomenico, from the ULC department of physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience states "In everyday life you mostly use your left hand to touch things on the left side of the world, and your right hand for the right side of the world."

What that means is that the areas of the brain which hold the maps of the right body and right external space are for the most part activated together. This leads to highly effective processing of sensory stimuli.

According to Dr. Giandomenico, when your arms become crossed the maps are not activated together. This then leads to less effective brain processing of sensory stimuli that includes pain, being recognized as weaker.

Dr. Giandomenico notes that this discovery could possibly lead to new methods of pain treatment that manipulate this confusion.

In conclusion he remarks "Perhaps when we get hurt, we should not only 'rub it better' but also cross our arms."

Currently, the researchers along with Australian researchers are testing the theory on patients with chronic pain conditions.

The Pain Relief Foundation noted through a spokesperson that a lot of research into chronic pain relief was looking into methods of confusing the brain and the disruption of pain messages.

There are numerous alternative therapies in which persons seek for chronic pain relief among them is:

Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatment is the most widely used non-surgical, drug-free treatment for chronic pain and this is not limited to back pain. Chiropractic treats a broad range of pain from arthritis to fibromylagia, headaches to migraines, shoulders to knee and more.

Chiropractic care uses various methods to help decrease and at times eliminate chronic pain. These methods include realignment of the muscles, fascia and joints. Exercises to strengthen the body into a correct posture, stability and endurance. You may receive advice on lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, herbs and more.

Reflexology

Reflexology involving the placement of the practitioners hands on your feet just may ease stress and provide pain relief.

The practitioner applies pressure using the fingers and thumbs. Sometimes a reflexologist may use a specially designed tool for this. This therapy is not limited just to the feet as the hands or ears may also be used.

This pressure is meant to expedite a psychology response in the body. Reflexology has been in practice for thousands of years. Reflexology stimulates the nerves and the central nervous system which possibly could interrupt or alter the way pain is felt.

Reflexology provides a state of deep relaxation which allows the bodies own healing abilities to take over.

Reflexologies main role in chronic pain treatment may just be to allow you to relax which breaks the pain cycle and stress that feed into one another.

Acupuncture

There are many claims that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain relief. In 1997, the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference had stated that there was clear evidence for acupuncture efficiency. It can treat various pain conditions such as migraines, back pain, PMS pain and more. Sources:

BBC News Health

A & L Chiropractic Center

Everyday Health

Vanderbilt Education