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imagery
first-aid (PAMFA)
psychospiritual approaches
definition
PAMFA is an acronym for Psychological Assist to Medical First Aid, from the Journal of Clinical Psychology in January, 1975. The theory is that by repeating the behavior at the time of the accident, patient removes the ill effects of the emotions associated with the upset. This reduces the fear associated with the event and again focuses the patient on the injured part avoided due to the pain. This very fear and avoidance unconsciously blocks the healing by decreasing the blood flow to the injured part:
image: Pick a time interval surrounding the injury, say five seconds before to ten seconds afterward. Following one sensation at a time, review this time interval. Include such sensations as pain, awareness of the injured part, temperature, sounds, words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts. Go over the same time interval, being aware of all the sensations at once, as they happened, paying particular attention to thoughts and attitudes. Repeat until pain stops or diminishes, which may take five minutes to an hour. Build up an awareness of the injured part and see it having been healed and normal again. Repeat frequently, particularly during the emergency assist. (Bry, p. 98)
uses: injury, fracture, sprain/strain, laceration, contusion, burn, blood loss
footnotes