Phantom pains: invisible reality, but very present

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Imagine feeling a sharp pain, a pinch or tingling in a part of your body… that no longer exists.
This troubling experience, known as phantom pains, is a reality for many people who have undergone amputation or the removal of an organ. This phenomenon deeply affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it, disrupting their daily lives and well-being.
Phantom pains are more common than one might think, affecting up to 80% of amputees. They manifest as persistent painful sensations, as if the missing limb or organ were still present. They can vary in intensity and nature, ranging from simple tingling to unbearable stabs.

  • But why does the brain continue to send pain signals when the limb has disappeared?
  • And above all, how can we act to alleviate this suffering without resorting solely to medication?

These pains are caused by nerve signals that continue to be sent to the brain, as if the limb were still present. The exact mechanisms are not entirely understood, but they are thought to involve changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

In this article, we guide you through a five-step approach, designed to help people suffering from phantom pains to find comfort and better reconnect their brain to their real body.

Phantom pains describe a fascinating phenomenon that highlights the complexity of the nervous system. When a limb or organ is amputated, the nerve connections that transmitted sensations to the brain do not entirely disappear. The brain retains a “body map,” called the sensory homunculus, which mentally represents the entire body, even in the absence of a physical part. This is why some people continue to feel sensations, sometimes painful, in a limb that no longer exists.

It is interesting to note that Professor Bùi Quôc Châu treated many Vietnam War veterans suffering from phantom pains in their extremities; a sad testament to this devastating conflict.

He was able to draw on this experience to confirm his theory that, in Dien Chan, we address the brain. There is no direct link between a fixed point on the face or a reflex zone worked on and the affected part of the body. In reality, we indicate to the brain to take into account the affected area.
In terms of traditional Chinese medicine (MTC), we redirect the Qi (vital energy) towards the suffering organ or limb.
Noting that a reflex diagram of Dien Chan can relieve phantom pain is very encouraging and confirms the precise connection between the facial area worked on, its cerebral representation and its real physical target. These experiences also highlight the importance of choosing the right yin or yang effect to apply, as not all phantom pains manifest in the same way. Some are dull and deep (yin), while others are sharp, hot or precise (yang). This invites us to select a multireflex tool with the opposite effect to restore balance, because pain, pathology and unpleasant sensation are always caused by an imbalance.

The success of the care relies on a methodical progression

1| Begin with gentle stimulations to accustom the nervous system.

2| Favour precision over force, especially for the stimulation of bqc·points with the multireflex detector nº101.

3| Train with experts to master the technique of detecting and activating points (see training training.multireflexology.com).

The objective of the care is to re-educate the nervous system by providing it with new sensory information to reduce pains. This protocol takes place in five progressive steps.

1 | Soothe the nervous system

This first step is essential to prepare the brain to receive therapeutic stimulations. A soothed nervous system improves receptivity to subsequent care.

The Yin rake nº416 and the Little-hammer nº128, true multireflex tools, are perfectly designed to soothe the nervous system.
  • Stimulation of the reflex zones of the autonomic nervous system with the Yin rake nº416
  • Gently rake the scalp from the forehead to the nape about fifty times.
  • Repeat the movement on the sides of the skull, from the temples to the nape.

The gestures should be slow and supple to induce a state of deep relaxation. [cf: Stress treatment]

2 | Reactivate body awareness

By working on the opposite limb or on a symmetrical area, we exploit the principle of contralateral connections of the brain.

  • Stimulation of the opposite limb (e.g. right arm if the amputation is on the left) with the Double yang ball nº410.
  • Work on symmetrical body areas (e.g. arm/leg, knee/elbow).

Perform about fifty gentle back-and-forth movements to strengthen the connection to the body schema.

3 | Stimulation of the reflex zones of the face

The face, being richly innervated, serves as a dashboard to act on the whole body.

  • Identify the most reactive reflex zones by choosing an appropriate reflex diagram.
  • Work on sensitive areas with a precise tool such as the Double mini yang ball nº307.

Perform about fifty gentle back-and-forth movements on each recognised area.

4 | Consolidate the care with bqc·points

The application of a Dien Chan formula reinforces the benefits of the previous steps.

The selection and stimulation of bqc·points are essential steps, which require appropriate training. The technique is essential and influences the results directly, hence the importance of precision in the gesture.

Begin by identifying the points corresponding to the amputated limb using the Faceasit application. This initial mapping provides a valuable basis for structuring the care. Then, enrich this selection by integrating points that stimulate cerebral circulation. This optimises the body’s response and maximises the effectiveness of the treatment.
Once the points are located, test them one by one to evaluate their sensitivity. Contrary to what one might think, the reactivity of a bqc·point does not depend on the force exerted, but on the precision of the gesture and the angle of approach. It is a subtle technique that requires training and in-depth training.

Only the most responsive bqc·points will be retained to compose a tailor-made formula. This targeted approach guarantees infallible and adapted stimulation to the needs of the individual being treated. By mastering this methodology, the practitioner becomes a true architect of care, capable of designing personalised and efficient protocols.

These subtleties highlight the importance of rigorous teaching. This is why it is recommended to follow a course or workshops with recognised experts (training.multireflexology.com). Sharing skills and learning under supervision allows you to acquire the technical precision necessary and a deep understanding of the principles underlying the efficiency of the method.

For those who do not yet have the chance to use the incredible app Faceasit (you can consult the usage videos here: videos.Faceasit.com), here is a suggestion of a constellation of bqc·points to test to compose your own personalised formula.

  • Calm the nervous system [green zones]: 124· 34· 103·
  • Cerebral irrigation [red zones]: 300· 59· 45· 50· 60· 188· 565·
  • Arms and forearms [purple zones]: 324· 130· 102· 97·
  • Itching whole leg [orange zones]: 61· 120· 156· 341· 197· 310·
  • Calm the muscles [blue zones]: 39· 37· 50· 40·
  • Pain in general [brown zones]: 41· 38· 222· 405·

Of course, it is essential to complete it with bqc·points specific to painful phantom limbs. These points are easy to locate by relying on the reflex diagrams of Dien Chan.
In the MiniBook nº751, the points corresponding to each diagram are indicated. And of course, the section “points of the diagrams & diagrams of the points” of the application Faceasit will guide you even more precisely.

5 |Self-care: anchoring the benefits

The client’s autonomy is essential to prolong the effectiveness of the care. Teaching them a personalised routine allows them to reinforce the results obtained in the session.

Adapt the choice of the multireflex tool according to the observed effects. Guide them towards a self-massage technique, especially on the facial reflex zones if they have been particularly reactive.

In general, phantom pains are deep and dull (yin). It is therefore preferable to start with a yang tool. On the other hand, if the pain is sharp and burning (yang), it will be more judicious to use a yin tool:
— For the body, the Double yin ball nº411
— For the face, the Double yin roller nº308

The Double mini yin roller nº308 & the Double yin ball nº411

A well-chosen routine allows the client to prolong the effects of the care and find lasting comfort in their daily life.

Conclusion

The success of the treatment of phantom pains relies on a methodical and personalised approach.

It is crucial to start with gentle stimulations to gradually accustom the nervous system and avoid any excessive reaction.

Each step of the process contributes to re-educating the neural circuits, thus promoting better integration of the care.

The stimulation of bqc·points with the multireflex detector nº101 requires a precise technique. It is therefore strongly recommended to follow serious training or a workshop with recognised experts (training.multireflexology.com) to refine your sensitivity and optimise the benefits of the care. It is important to understand that the sensitivity of a bqc·point does not depend on the force exerted, but on the precision of the gesture and the chosen angle. Detecting and stimulating with precision allows you to obtain deep and lasting results, making the support more efficient and personalised for each individual.

By adopting this approach, you will help your clients to find better comfort in life and gradually reduce their phantom pains. For those who wish to deepen their knowledge or train in this method, courses and workshops are available with recognised experts (the agenda).
By mastering this technique, you will become a true architect of care, capable of designing personalised and efficient protocols for each patient.

If you do not yet have Dien Chan tools, note that the catalogue of multireflex kits offers more economical and tailored solutions to your needs.

Regarding the theme addressed in this article, the kit “Fibromyalgia❜pro” is particularly recommended. It includes essential tools to relieve tension and soothe the nervous system:
• The Little-hammer nº128 and the Yin rake nº416: ideal for calming and rebalancing the nervous system.
• The Double yang ball nº410: perfect for performing gentle massages on the opposite or contralateral limb.

These tools offer a natural and effective approach to improving daily well-being. Here is the purchase button for the kit “Fibromyalgia❜pro” which is accompanied by the eBook “Muscle tensions” offered:

•!• If you prefer a yin approach, the kit “Joint disorders” will be the most suitable. It is also accompanied by the eBook “Joint inflammations”, offered with your purchase.

Kit “Joint disorders” composed of the Double mini yin roller nº308 and the Double yin ball nº411

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