Grounding Techniques
Managing FND
FND Techniques and Self-Care
SENSORY GROUNDING TECHNIQUES TO MANAGE SEIZURES
Here are some techniques you can try with Non-Epileptic Seizures and Dissociation Episodes. These techniques are like a discipline, you will need patience, practice and perseverance to achieve maximum benefit. Use one or all of these techniques only when you are feeling well/ok and adapt them to suit your needs. If you find you’re losing concentration, where your mind is wondering, move on a little quicker to the next step. Remember these techniques take practice.
COUNTING TECHNIQUE TO MANAGE SEIZURES
Count backwards from 100 in increments of 3.
BREATHING TECHNIQUES FOR RELAXATION
Breathing is automatic and directly corresponds to what we are feeling. Learning how to change breathing patterns is a powerful healing tool.
Pain usually makes us hold our breath (a stress response). Debbie Shapiro, (1996) suggests breathing into the pain. She explains that breathing into the pain, especially deep breathing, enables the muscles to relax and the tension to release. This will help the pain recede.
- Direct the breath into the area that is hurting, let your breath fill the cells with oxygen and visualise the pain softening and receding with each in breath and visualize releasing the pain with each out breath. Using the breath to keep breathing into and through any resistance. Use your breath to give you courage and fearlessness, it is your friend and always there to help you.
Breathing can be linked with healing affirmations for example “I am ready to let go of this pain” “My body is relaxed and comfortable”.
Choose an affirmation that is meaningful for you and keep it in the present tense for example “I am…” not “I will be…”)
DEEP FREEZE TECHNIQUE TO MANAGE SEIZURES
You may have signs or symptoms which tell you a seizure is imminent, however, some have no warning. The first step is to raise your awareness as to what is going on prior to and leading up to seizures.
Look for signs such as:
- unusual taste or dryness in mouth
- feeling woozy/lightheaded
- tingling or pins & needles
- feeling of being excessively tired need to sleep
- nausea
- rise in heart rate
- pain in chest
- sweating
- muscle spasms
- stuttering
- confusion
- feeling like you can’t breathe/suffocating/need for fresh air
These symptoms can be around for seconds, minutes or hours before a seizure. Everyone’s symptoms vary but by learning to recognize your symptoms you can learn to stave off and even prevent a seizure. Like the ‘grounding technique’ it is a discipline to be understood and practiced.
What you will need:
- Plastic pint size jug or pot half filled with water stored in the fridge
- ice cubes ready and accessible in the freezer
- small towel
How to use
Put a handful of ice cubes in the jug of cooled water. (You may want to sit down safely and comfortably if you have time). Plunge your hand in the ice water (almost to the wrist) and hold it there. As your hand becomes colder and begins to feel painfully cold you would normally remove your hand but in this situation you leave your hand in the water. You may feel relief of your seizure symptoms instantly or it may take a little longer.
How does it work
When you are having a seizure, your brain is essentially going off in its own direction, doing its own thing. By plunging and freezing your hand in the ice water your brain receives the signal, senses danger, is startled back into action and attends to what is happening in this part of the body. This is essentially a distraction technique to bring the brain back from going off on its own.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE – EFT
EFT or Tapping is a simple and very efficient technique. It can be done with a trained therapist or it can be used as a brilliant self help tool. Some people have found it helpful to reduce or control symptoms.
EFT can be used for pain management in several ways. It can be used to reduce the level of pain being experienced and to lessen the response to any emotional trigger or worry. There are many helpful books available that explain fully the many uses of this amazing technique.
This you tube clip is an excellent EFT example used for every aspect of pain relief. It can be repeated as often as you like or need:
Do not be concerned if some of the aspects he mentions do not fit your situation it is still safe and helpful to go along with his routine. Do not be concerned if you find yourself yawning or sighing a lot through the routine, it’s a good sign. It is a sign that you are letting go and getting your energy moving in a healthy way.
