Are You Still In Chronic Pain?
HAS YOUR DOCTOR MISSED SOMETHING?I offer four virtual services for pain and chronic stress. Please check out my Services Page for more details.
How come nobody knows what’s wrong with me?
What is a waste of your time, and why?
No one understands chronic pain, why is this?
Are you still in chronic pain? Do you have questions like these? I do, too. For the last 30 years, I’ve have spent endless hours researching and talking with people about the topic of pain. I have found answers and resources that work for me and can work for you.
I’ll review your treatment options for everyday aches and pains as well as your specific chronic pain issues.
Doctors are often confused by chronic pain
Did my doctor miss something?
I’ll explore how doctors often overlook common problems such as trigger points. Trigger points are a poorly understood condition, often confused with muscle strain or fatigue. Trigger points can also be a significant issue in low back pain, iliotibial band syndrome, chronic pain and other challenging issues such as frozen shoulder.
I’ll explain my view of why you are in pain and make sure you understand the solutions I suggest.
As I continue to post articles, I will add more pain-related topics as I go.
What works? What is most useful for persistent pains and injuries?
I’ll review what I consider your best treatment options and point out things that I have found don’t work. I’ll discuss the various treatment methods that may work best for you. These may include physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and orthopedic surgery, as well as lesser-known treatments for pain such as neurofeedback.
I will share with you many self-help tips, including self-massage, specific exercises, and specific nutritional advice that can put the power of healing into your own hands. I’ll also explore new electronic gizmos such as electric stimulators (ex: TENS), meditation apps, and deep tissue muscle massage.
Why do I hurt? Understand the source of the problem
We all want to know why we hurt. I’ll explore answers to the puzzle of pain and show its relationship to many things that may not seem to be connected. For instance, did you know that chronic pain can relate to insomnia, childhood abuse, or even autoimmune disease?
Stress management is a key ingredient for recovery
Sometimes the source of pain and its solutions can take a while to identify. This period of uncertainty can lead to further stress and feelings of helplessness, despair, and even guilt. When we don’t know why we hurt, it’s helpful—and possible—to learn how to accept the current situation as it is rather than causing more pain through our frustration and judgment.
Viewing your pain condition from a different perspective than self-blame can lead to a road map for a successful, long-lasting recovery. Mindfulness practices are one of the best ways to address this issue. I’ll explore several proven methods for using mindfulness to help you get through this tough time.
There are many persistent myths about the cause of pain
Healthcare providers were also taught that creating perfect symmetry in the body was essential for pain relief and proper function. [2] (2) Eyal Lederman. The fall of the postural–structural–biomechanical model in manual and physical therapies: Exemplified by lower back pain.CPDO Online Journal [website]. March 2010.http://www.cpdo.net/Lederman_The_fall_of_the_postural-structural-biomechanical_model.pdf (accessed January 23, 2020) Both of these guidelines are less important than we initially thought.
Look for many more myth busters in my articles.
Stay tuned for my in-depth articles that explore the origins and fixes to many common issues concerning both acute and chronic pain. I’ll be posting regularly and look forward to your comments and feedback.
If you would like to know more about a specific pain issue, please send me a request through email, social media, or as a comment after one of my articles.
Articles
New Frontiers in the Treatment of Chronic Pain, Part 2, Healing Practices
(The video provides a brief overview; read the article below for a more in-depth understanding.)In Part 1 of this series, I explored the new understanding of pain that has emerged from breakthroughs in neuroscience. Now, in Part 2, we explore the practical application...
New Frontiers in the Treatment of Chronic Pain – Part 1, the Updated Science
(The video provides a brief overview; read the article below for a more in-depth understanding.)Are you suffering from chronic pain?If you're reading this article, you have likely suffered from chronic pain and illness, possibly for years. Your condition may range...
I can’t take the pain anymore – I’m feeling hopeless!
How can I make my chronic pain go away? You have a problem with pain. You’ve seen MDs, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, but nothing has helped long term.You keep asking yourself:How can I get relief from my ongoing pain? Why...
Find Your Voice: Polyvagal Insights for Assertiveness and Setting Boundaries
[00:00 - 01:10] Listening to Your Body's Stress Signals [01:11 - 04:52] Understanding Fight, Flight, and Freeze Responses [04:53 - 08:14] Signs of Shutdown: Dissociation, Low Energy, Social Avoidance[08:15 - 18:16] Exercises to Build Strength and Resilience [18:17 -...
The Truth About Vagal Exercises: It’s Not About the Nerve
[00:00 - 00:15] Introduction to the topic [00:15 - 00:44] Reference to a clarifying conversation with Dr. Steven Porges [00:44 - 01:24] Misconceptions about vagus nerve exercises [01:24 - 02:06] Explanation of how vagal exercises work [02:06 - 02:47] Symptoms of low...
Bounce and Shake Exercise to Release Stress and Anxiety
[00:00 - 00:43] Introduction [00:44 - 01:53] Introduction to Bounce and Shake Exercise [01:54 - 02:48] Getting Started with Bounce and Shake [02:49 - 03:13] Adding Movement and Intensity [03:14 - 04:42] Enhancing the Experience with Music [convertkit...
Ear Massage to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
[0:00-2:18] Introduction to Ear Massage Technique [2:18-4:30] Stretching and Holding Ear Massage stomach. [4:30-7:01] Pinching and Rolling Technique [7:01-11:27] Exploring Ear Canal Massage
Diaphragmatic Breathing for Stress Relief
[00:00 - 01:13] Diaphragmatic Breathing Basics - Focus on how your body responds during breathing, especially the expansion of your stomach, chest, and ribs. [01:13 - 02:27] Regulatory Breathing Techniques - Explains the sequence of breathing: either stomach then...
Winning the Inner Battle: Mastering Self-Care Negotiation for Chronic Pain Relief
[00:00 - 00:29] Introduction - Overview of the video's topic and goals. [00:30 - 01:49] Understanding Chronic Pain - Introduction to chronic pain and its impact on daily life. [01:50 - 02:31] Self-Care Routines - Adopt tailored self-care routines for chronic pain...
Therapeutic Play for Chronic Pain and Depression
[00:00 - 02:50] Nervous System Regulation and Play[02:51 - 04:10] Therapeutic Play in Nature and Movement Practices[04:11 - 09:59] Practical Exercises and Games for Regulation[10:00 - 13:46] Adaptation of Play for Chronic Pain Management[13:47 - 17:13] Developmental...
Oscillating Between Good and Bad Memories – Pendulation and Somatic Experience Exercise
(For a deeper dive into the science of Pendulation and its transformative effects, watch this comprehensive video)[00:00 - 00:30] Pendulation: oscillate between memories for emotional regulation.[00:31 - 01:12] Balance distressing and soothing memories to prevent...
Guided Box Breathing – Pendulation Exercise
(For a deeper dive into the science of Pendulation and its transformative effects, watch this comprehensive video)[00:00] - [00:30] Introduction to Pendulation and Somatic Experience Therapy[00:30] - [00:44] Importance of Reconnecting with the Body[00:44] - [00:59]...
Guided Body Scan – Pendulation Exercise
(For a deeper dive into the science of Pendulation and its transformative effects, watch this comprehensive video)[00:00] Introduction to Pendulation and self-introduction [00:30] Preparation for the Pendulation exercise [01:22] Instructions for starting the exercise...
Notes
(Back to text)1 | (1) Nolan D, O’Sullivan K, Stephenson J, O’Sullivan P, Lucock M. What do physiotherapists and manual handling advisors consider the safest lifting posture, and do back beliefs influence their choice? Musculoskelet Sci Pract. February 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29078081 (accessed January 22, 2020) |
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(Back to text)2 | (2) Eyal Lederman. The fall of the postural–structural–biomechanical model in manual and physical therapies: Exemplified by lower back pain.CPDO Online Journal [website]. March 2010.http://www.cpdo.net/Lederman_The_fall_of_the_postural-structural-biomechanical_model.pdf (accessed January 23, 2020) |