A study by Syrjala et al at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found hypnosis helped some BMT patients better manage the pain associated with mouth sores. To locate a therapist in your area who's skilled in hypnosis, contact the Department of Behavioral Medicine at a cancer center near you. Physical Stimulation Suffering is triggered by pain signals transmitted through the nervous system and spinal cord to the brain. One way to short-circuit or mask these pain signals is by providing a different, competing physical sensation. Application of heat or cold to painful areas, for example, often masks or mutes pain signals and reduces suffering.
Massage can also provide a soothing sensation that competes with pain signals sent to the brain.
Family members and friends can be enlisted to help with this non-drug pain therapy. Some patients find exercise a potent pain reliever. I've tried everything to control it including acupuncture and pain pills. I find that working out in the gym seven times a week provides the best pain relief, and has the added bonus of increasing my stamina over pre-BMT levels. I learned active and passive relaxation, biofeedback, and how to reward myself for getting through difficult procedures.