Likewise, drama, art, music, writing, poetry, and puppetry can all help children talk about their illness and gain control over painful experiences. Child-life specialists are specially trained to help your child enjoy playing while in hospital. They can also help you with ideas to help your child with play activities. First, it is more dif ficult and more painful to put a needle in a tense muscle. When a child is relaxed, veins are easier tofind and bruising is reduced.
Anxiety also stops the brain from blocking the feeling of pain.
Finally, anxiety uses up needed energy, decreases rest and sleep, and tires the child. All of these make it more dif ficult to cope with pain. Relaxation is a useful way to combat pain. Regular relaxation exercises can, and ideally should, be started before a speci fic problem has occurred. We suggest, for example, that relaxation techniques be learned in the first couple of weeks, or as soon as possible after the initial diagnosis.