Last week's post talked about healing the mindset as a powerful pain management tool.

Changing our minds can help to off-load unhealthy beliefs about our bodies (including those we've heard and adopted from our care providers) so that we can calm down the nervous system; stop fearing pain, and start moving forward.

Today, I am want to start with a question:

Which ADVIL in your opinion is the MOST EFFECTIVE?

a) 400mg transparent capsule with colored beads inside
b) 400mg transparent capsule with white beads inside
c) 400mg colored tablet
d) 400mg white square tablet
e) 400mg white round table

What do you think?

Facebook poll showed that for most people option B – a transparent capsule with white beads inside – works the best. Many have said that it offers the best absorption, and that drug delivery methods alter the effectiveness of medication.

True to my nerdy-nosey nature, I asked the specialist.

Dr. Lyddell is a rheumatologist, muscle-skeletal specialist with an interest in chronic pain. He says: ”While delivery methods matter for certain drugs, in this particular case they are absolutely all the same in terms of absorption.”

So what’s the difference between A, B, C, D and E?

Is there any?

Trick question!

As you probably noticed, the amount of active ingredient (400 mg) is the same in all of the above, and, as we now know, the absorption levels are the same across the board.

Are you ready for a mindset shift?

The one YOU BELIEVE is the most effective; the one that had worked for you in the past.

Research shows that for most people A is slightly more effective then B; B is slightly more effective then C and so it goes.

Here are some more MIND-BENDING FACTS:

Acupuncture can reduce pain, but, according to research, it doesn't always work.

Furthermore, it seems to work better, when it is performed by a Chinese man or women, and worse, when it is performed by a non-Chinese practitioner.

In 2002 a study was done for arthroscopic knee surgery: 180 patients with painful osteoarthritis were assigned in 2 groups. One group got the usual surgery; the other a sham one - in which incision was made and arthroscope was inserted and then removed, but no surgery was performed. Not only the sham surgery proved to be as effective as the actual one, but the placebo surgery patients actually functioned better physically.

In low back pain, research has shown that the amount of disc and nerve damage rarely relates to the amount of pain experienced. In fact, it is very likely that an x-ray of any older person's spine will reveal changes which could be described as arthritic or degenerative - yet some of us are much more active (and in much less pain) than others.

Furthermore, studies have done to show that patients who have seen their X-ray or MRI results, take longer to heal.... unless they are given pain education along with the pictures.

If anything, these - and the multiplicity of other stories and studies - show us that what we believe makes a tangible difference in how we feel. And while it is sometimes impossible to change the state of our tissues, it is sure as heck possible to change our mindset.

Changing the mindset (much of what we do in Pain Care Yoga) is truly mind bending because it challenges our beliefs about pain, and also what we think is true for our bodies. In fact we can call this the biology of belief and the science of placebo effect.

Take some time to ponder on what you think and believe is true (and possible) for you. And, if so inclined, share your discoveries - nothing is as powerful as connecting with another human being.

I am gonna go listen to "Placebo in Physiotherapy" webinar now...  See you on the mat!