Law of attraction and physical healing

Many self help books suggest not to pay attention to unwanted things as the law of attraction states, the universe will bring exactly those into life. So how is it that when I’m meditating, it helps to get relief from discomfort and pain by rather focusing my attention to the body parts that is hurting? I don’t necessarily picture myself feeling better or pretend to feel better while I focus my energy on my ailment. My question is, if I can cure my ailment by focusing my attention to it, can I also do the same by paying attention to the unwanted things in my life and release them?