I have used The Power of Suggestion and Visualization in helping athletes control pain in sport. These techniques are rooted in the idea that the mind and body are connected, and that our thoughts and beliefs can influence our physical experiences.
Using the power of suggestion, a Rapid Results Trainer can guide an athlete to focus on positive thoughts and suggestions rather than the pain
Visualization is another powerful tool that can be used to control pain in sports. By creating vivid mental images of the athlete performing without pain, the mind can be trained to respond in a way that reduces the perception of pain
Case Study
I helped a sportsperson control pain with the power of suggestion and visualization with a basketball player who suffered from knee pain.
I used The Focused Awareness Technique and then guided the athlete to visualize themselves playing basketball without any pain on TV
I then got him to float into his body and look out through his eyes (the climb on board technique) and notice how good his knee felt whilst playing
We also used positive affirmations such as "my body is strong and capable" to reinforce the belief that the athlete's body was capable of performing without pain.
With practice, the athlete was able to reduce their perception of pain and improve their performance on the court.
Blocking out pain with self-talk is another effective technique that can be used in conjunction with suggestion and visualization. Athletes can use positive self-talk to focus on the present moment and focus on the action and block out the perception of pain. For example, an athlete might say to themselves, "I am strong and in control of my body, I focus on the action" when experiencing pain
It is imperative for a sports athlete to possess the skill of discerning which pain to ignore and which to consider as an alarm bell and take ownership of that decision. However, it is crucial to address the ethical and safety concerns surrounding the management of pain in sports. Any recommendations regarding pain control must be deliberated in detail with the athlete, their coach, and medical experts before implementation. One must always bear in mind the potential risk of concealing an indication of genuine physical injury and should approach the matter with utmost caution.