BDSM as pain therapy?

[subbie_333]

OK, let's get away from BDSM as psycho-therapy and let's talk about pain:

http://www.livescience.com/health/080725-pain-facts.html

Many people enjoy the natural high from the brain chemicals released as a result of pain in BDSM play. Vanilla folks enjoy these chemicals from exercise (i.e. the "runner's high"). Tell us your experiences about dealing with pain, and, how you feel about pain management as it relates to BDSM play.

 

[nh23]

I've done this a lot. I get migraines on occasion and I will ask Master to bite me really hard all over to get my endorphins going. He also did it for me the last time I had a really bad ear infection. So instead of sitting there being miserable I could just float peacefully.

 

[desertslave]

I've been a painslut since my first Sir introduced me to BDSM 30 years ago. I'm definitely an endorphin junkie. Over the last several years, I've developed increasing osteoarthritis in my knees, and I have an old injury in one shoulder. Moderate to intense play sessions where the endorphins really get flowing have been a huge relief for me with my knees. For at least a few hours, sometimes into the following day, I'll have markedly decreased pain and stiffness. I wish I could bottle it, truly.

The flip side is that when I have to go without a 'fix' for a while, I get edgy, cranky and overly pain-sensitive. Sometimes I end up having really stupid klutz moments (I'm a danger to myself in the kitchen at the best of times). It's not deliberate, it's just like what little grace and coordination diminishes the needier I get.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

I've found pain therapeutic for a long time. Prolonged pain clears the mind to an almost meditative state. If I'm stressed out or upset, a spanking from Master will often make me feel better a lot faster than hugs.

I also assimilate pain differently according to my emotional state. If Master and I are playing, I have a very high tolerance to pain and get a real kick from it. If he's punishing me, I have a totally different response to the pain and my tolerance plummets, I don't enjoy it at all.

*fills out membership form for Adrenaline and Endorphineoholics Anonymous (AEA)*

 

[catalina_francisco]

You might find the BDSM as Health Therapy thread of interest also. Apart from everyone experiencing pain and sensation differently to each other, the fact women have more pain receptors is another reason I have always been wary of promoting the belief that if a male PYL tries some form of painplay on himself first (or has someone try it on him), he knows what a female pyl is going to feel and how much is OK and safe...all it does IMO is give a vague idea and show how the PYL feels/experiences it. Add to that, if something is delivered by another, and/or is unexpected, once again the experience is going to differ greatly.

As to pain in BDSM as threapy, it can work wonders for some of us. I have been known to benefit as stress relief and also eliminating pain from a medical issue. That is wonderful when it works, but also for me, not predictable it will always be the best course of action. I usually have an idea when it is going to be negative or positive, he doesn't always want to know...such is life.

Catalina

 

[madetotakeit]

I think there is definitely something to the possibility of endorphin therapy to help manage pain. I have had knee issues since I was a teen. Over the past couple of months one has been particularly troublesome. During that time I have played a couple of times and I have seen an Orthopedic Surgeon which resulted in a cortisone shot (Dr's just don't listen when you say you don't want needleplay...) After the first flogging I was unaware of my knee hurting for a few days. The cortisone shot caused increased pain at first, really messed up my blood sugar, and gave me a couple of weeks of decreased pain after that. By all rights after I should have been in crippling pain after my last play session. typically I have to change my knee position frequently lest the pain builds and I maintained one position for an extended amount of time. Other than a bit of stiffness when I finally changed positions I had no ill effects. Even now, over a week later the pain has not returned.

*Hello, my name is Made and I'm an Adrenaline and Endorphineoholic...*

 

[SweetDomme_29]

I've done this a lot. I get migraines on occasion and I will ask Master to bite me really hard all over to get my endorphins going. He also did it for me the last time I had a really bad ear infection. So instead of sitting there being miserable I could just float peacefully.

Damn! You're making me drool

May I sink my teeth into your soft flesh too?