Posted by SAshfield on February 24, 1998 at 16:07:53:
In Reply to: Help me to help 4's posted by Dave on February 13, 1998 at 19:54:54:
: I'm a Chiropractor by profession, and since learning the enneagram I've tried to use it as a tool to help my patients. I've noticed that quite a few of my chronic pain and illness patients seem to be of type 4. I'm having trouble getting them to progress significantly, and when that happens I always look to what's motivating them ,and what is known as "secondary gain", or what someone is getting out of not getting better and remaining in chronic pain. Physiological reasons aside, my guess is that this is a manifestation of being special and unique, applied to health and body/somatic integrity. The problem I'm having is getting them out of this negative motivation. 4's seem to be inordinately resistant to give up an identity if that identity is one of pain, suffering, etc.. While I address them as individuals, the 4 typing seems to be a common pattern. Type 2's also are common with chronic conditions with secondary gain, but with a different resistance to change. Any experience or advice???
: Thanks,
: Dave
Dave, I'm glad you're thinking about this! Yet I caution you not to read
too much into the whole "pain and suffering" mystique. I am a 4, and
went through back trouble myself - and got out of it too, after a
frustrating and ineffective series of chiropractic sessions. And trust me,
I gained precious little from hurting all the time.
But I do believe that there are some considerations worthy of attention:
1) Exercise - strengthening, stretching, and ESPECIALLY improving balance
are the keys to alleviating back pain for good. Are your cerebral 4's
finding exercise irrelevant or generally unpleasant? I spent a good
deal of time designing my own exercises to fit my lifestyle. I like
to think of exercise as a transcendent experience, and have
incorporated free weights, kung fu, and yoga moves into a simplified
routine. I know I need to do much more during the winter because
swimming and gardening satisfy my body's needs pretty well in the
summer. Also, I am aware of transition periods during the fall and
spring in which it is inevitable I will hurt.
Maintaining bodily symmetry and visualization exercises are also key to
healing.
What may not work is suggestions to engage in team sports or going down
to the spa to work out. Ugh.
2) Clothing and Shoes - the visually expressive 4 may also be subordinating
her body's needs to self expression. Be aware of offending purses, shoes,
and even things like wide belts that contribute to back pain.
3) Family concerns and stress - because we externalize our sources of
stress so rarely, it's really easy to get knotted up. When my father
was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, my back knotted up and it
took nearly a week of intensive exercise and stretching to relieve
the pain. Much of my chronic problems some years ago was the
combination of carrying a toddler on my hip and absorbing the stress
of keeping my household happy under multiple demands and taking
family members' anger over less-than-perfect service personally.
4) Glued to the computer - notice that there are a LOT of fours are now
blossoming as writers courtesy of the Net? They may be hurting because
they're glued to the computer and ignoring the need for body-soothing
breaks, and limiting their time on line. They may need to write a few
things out longhand just a reprieve for their backs.