How to Get an Injection Without It Hurting
Find out where you're getting the injection., Stroke the skin and apply pressure near the injection site., Start preparing in the waiting room., Focus your attention elsewhere., Do not look at the needle., Hold your breath., Normalize the fear., Do...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find out where you're getting the injection.
Preparation for the injection depends on where on the body it is administered.
Many common injections, such as most vaccinations, are administered in the arm, while certain antibiotics may be administered to the back or the buttocks.
Ask your doctor or nurse beforehand where you can expect the injection to be applied and treat that area accordingly. -
Step 2: Stroke the skin and apply pressure near the injection site.
Once you know where the injection will be applied, stroke the skin and apply pressure near where the needle will go in.
This will prepare your body for the added pressure of a needle in that area, and the shock of the prick will be less harsh in the doctor's office.
Do this shortly before leaving for your appointment or in the car or bus ride on the way over., While in the waiting room, certain tasks can help prepare for your injection and distract you from the potential pain.
Squeeze a stress ball.
This eases up the muscles in preparation for an injection.
Listen to music, podcasts, or books on tape.
While the doctor is not likely to let you put your headphones in during the appointment, listening to music beforehand can provide a distraction so you're not too apprehensive going in.Read a magazine or book.
If you're more easily soothed by reading than listening, a good, distracting story or article can also be helpful while waiting for your appointment. , Oftentimes, the anticipation and awareness can make the pain feel more acute.
Focus your attention elsewhere while the shot is being administered to minimize pain.
Pretend you're somewhere else.
Imagine you're soaking up the sun on a dream vacation or getting a cup of coffee with your friend.
Have a variety of feel-good scenarios in mind before going in, and let your imagination flow.
Focus on another body part.
Imagine the injection is going in a different spot than it is.
This way, you're anticipating pain in another area and this distracts you from the actual injection.Recite a poem or song lyrics.
If you have anything committed to memory, now is a good time for recital.
Your energy and focus will be placed on remembering particular verses and words and not on the present moment.
If you happen to have a chatty doctor or nurse, engaging him in conversation before or during the injection can provide a needed distraction.
The subject doesn't matter — just listening to him talk may divert your attention. , Our expectations of pain can make it more intense.
Recent scientific studies have provided empirical evidence that not seeing the needle during an injection makes it less painful.
Do not look at the needle when receiving the shot.
Either close your eyes or look away., Hold your breath a few seconds before the injection and while it is being administered.
This increases blood pressure, which in turn decreases nervous system sensitivity.
While the decrease in pain is somewhat slight, if coupled with other techniques holding your breath can help reduce pain., The stigma and apprehension over your fear of needles, injections, and pain can make you place disproportionate focus on the injection.
The fact is, fearing needles is very normal.
Knowing you are not alone, and that this fear is normal, can help you relax during the process., Tightening your muscles can make pain harsher, especially with intramuscular injections, so be sure to keep muscles loose.
It is normal to tense up when scared, so certain techniques can help.
Breathing exercises, such as taking a deep breath, holding it in for 10 seconds, and then releasing it help if done shortly before the injection takes place.
Think, "I am going to get an injection," rather than, "This will not hurt." The former helps you accept the inevitable, which can allow your body to relax rather than tense up in apprehension., Discuss any apprehensions you have about an injection with your nurse beforehand.
Medical professionals are more than willing to help patients in need.
The nurse can give you a local anesthetic cream, which is placed on your arm to numb it and make the injection less painful.
Ask before your appointment, as the cream takes up to an hour to work.
Nurses are also good at distracting patients and helping them relax.
If you mention to your fear beforehand, he might be able to help you stay calm with relaxation techniques., Injection sites sometimes bother patients the next day, or even a few hours afterwards.
If this is the case for you, run warm water over a washcloth and place it over the injection site.
This should soothe the pain and provide some instant relief. , This will help disperse the medication and loosen the muscles.
There are two exceptions to this rule.
Heparin and Lovenox injections should not be massaged afterwards, as this can lead to further soreness and bruising., A lot of post-injection pain comes from inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain meds can help ease pain, swelling, and other discomforts., While it may be tempting to slow down and rest, this is sometimes counterproductive to pain reduction.
Keeping in motion, especially if the injection was in your arm, can increase circulation and help you return to normal more quickly. -
Step 3: Start preparing in the waiting room.
-
Step 4: Focus your attention elsewhere.
-
Step 5: Do not look at the needle.
-
Step 6: Hold your breath.
-
Step 7: Normalize the fear.
-
Step 8: Do not tighten your muscles.
-
Step 9: Talk to your nurse about your apprehension.
-
Step 10: Place a warm washcloth on the injection site.
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Step 11: Massage or rub the site.
-
Step 12: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
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Step 13: Use the body part that received the injection.
Detailed Guide
Preparation for the injection depends on where on the body it is administered.
Many common injections, such as most vaccinations, are administered in the arm, while certain antibiotics may be administered to the back or the buttocks.
Ask your doctor or nurse beforehand where you can expect the injection to be applied and treat that area accordingly.
Once you know where the injection will be applied, stroke the skin and apply pressure near where the needle will go in.
This will prepare your body for the added pressure of a needle in that area, and the shock of the prick will be less harsh in the doctor's office.
Do this shortly before leaving for your appointment or in the car or bus ride on the way over., While in the waiting room, certain tasks can help prepare for your injection and distract you from the potential pain.
Squeeze a stress ball.
This eases up the muscles in preparation for an injection.
Listen to music, podcasts, or books on tape.
While the doctor is not likely to let you put your headphones in during the appointment, listening to music beforehand can provide a distraction so you're not too apprehensive going in.Read a magazine or book.
If you're more easily soothed by reading than listening, a good, distracting story or article can also be helpful while waiting for your appointment. , Oftentimes, the anticipation and awareness can make the pain feel more acute.
Focus your attention elsewhere while the shot is being administered to minimize pain.
Pretend you're somewhere else.
Imagine you're soaking up the sun on a dream vacation or getting a cup of coffee with your friend.
Have a variety of feel-good scenarios in mind before going in, and let your imagination flow.
Focus on another body part.
Imagine the injection is going in a different spot than it is.
This way, you're anticipating pain in another area and this distracts you from the actual injection.Recite a poem or song lyrics.
If you have anything committed to memory, now is a good time for recital.
Your energy and focus will be placed on remembering particular verses and words and not on the present moment.
If you happen to have a chatty doctor or nurse, engaging him in conversation before or during the injection can provide a needed distraction.
The subject doesn't matter — just listening to him talk may divert your attention. , Our expectations of pain can make it more intense.
Recent scientific studies have provided empirical evidence that not seeing the needle during an injection makes it less painful.
Do not look at the needle when receiving the shot.
Either close your eyes or look away., Hold your breath a few seconds before the injection and while it is being administered.
This increases blood pressure, which in turn decreases nervous system sensitivity.
While the decrease in pain is somewhat slight, if coupled with other techniques holding your breath can help reduce pain., The stigma and apprehension over your fear of needles, injections, and pain can make you place disproportionate focus on the injection.
The fact is, fearing needles is very normal.
Knowing you are not alone, and that this fear is normal, can help you relax during the process., Tightening your muscles can make pain harsher, especially with intramuscular injections, so be sure to keep muscles loose.
It is normal to tense up when scared, so certain techniques can help.
Breathing exercises, such as taking a deep breath, holding it in for 10 seconds, and then releasing it help if done shortly before the injection takes place.
Think, "I am going to get an injection," rather than, "This will not hurt." The former helps you accept the inevitable, which can allow your body to relax rather than tense up in apprehension., Discuss any apprehensions you have about an injection with your nurse beforehand.
Medical professionals are more than willing to help patients in need.
The nurse can give you a local anesthetic cream, which is placed on your arm to numb it and make the injection less painful.
Ask before your appointment, as the cream takes up to an hour to work.
Nurses are also good at distracting patients and helping them relax.
If you mention to your fear beforehand, he might be able to help you stay calm with relaxation techniques., Injection sites sometimes bother patients the next day, or even a few hours afterwards.
If this is the case for you, run warm water over a washcloth and place it over the injection site.
This should soothe the pain and provide some instant relief. , This will help disperse the medication and loosen the muscles.
There are two exceptions to this rule.
Heparin and Lovenox injections should not be massaged afterwards, as this can lead to further soreness and bruising., A lot of post-injection pain comes from inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain meds can help ease pain, swelling, and other discomforts., While it may be tempting to slow down and rest, this is sometimes counterproductive to pain reduction.
Keeping in motion, especially if the injection was in your arm, can increase circulation and help you return to normal more quickly.
About the Author
Amber Young
With a background in lifestyle and practical guides, Amber Young brings 4 years of hands-on experience to every article. Amber believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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