Everyday pain management ideas

A relatively new approach to reducing opioid usage and improving ability to combat chronic pain is the MORE technique. This practice focuses on developing mindfulness skills, i.e. positive psychology. Participants in an 8 week course of treatment learn to reduce their dependence and craving for pain controlling medications by learning to "feel good" through the techniques they learn. It is thought that over the course of time, a person with chronic pain is less able to experience the joys in life because they have been worn down by living in discomfort so much of the time.  Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement helps these folks to work on their positive emotions by focusing on the positives, such as the beauty of nature.  In this way, a patient learns to resort to the learned techniques instead of medications when they feel bad and need to feel better. Early indications from the initial study at the University of Utah are promising.  It is believed that these s

Did you love coloring as a child?  As it turns out, psychologists say that coloring is a good alternative to meditation.  If you have been following alternative methods of pain management for a while, you know that meditation is a great non-drug way to deal with chronic pain.  Coloring achieves many of the same goals... unlocking creative potential, releasing tension and anxiety. I have seen adult coloring books for sale at Amazon.com and also in craft stores. Some of these books are even on Amazon's best seller list!   If you want to read more about coloring as therapy, click here ! Below is a sample of the kind of image you might find in one of  these books.  You can browse the selection of these books at Amazon by clicking here . Sources:Higherperspectives.com; Amazon.com; Wikimedia

Fibromyalgia is a complex problem; if it weren't we would surely have a lot more figured out by now. That being said, one thing is for sure--one key problem is that there is a dysfunction in the usual pain inhibition mechanism. Here is an example:  If I put on an article of clothing that is uncomfortable--such as a piece of underwear that's too tight...it might feel uncomfortable at first, but as the minutes to hours go by I become less aware of the discomfort....unless I happen to have fibromyalgia.  In that case, the discomfort is the same at the end of the day as it was when I put that undergarment on in the morning.  Can you imagine? If you have fibromyalgia...yes you can imagine. A couple of studies have shed some light on our understanding of this problem.  In one study, the authors compared the pain experience of fibromyalgia to people with irritable bowel and also normal individuals.  Somehow the fibromyalgia group was the least able to inhibit the pain.  In a

Now that there is a vaccine for chicken pox, fewer children will experience that dreaded childhood disease.  But a word of caution here...whether you had chickenpox or the vaccine, you can still contract a case of shingles!  The shingles are actually a re-activation of the same virus ( herpes zoster )...it never really leaves you once it's introduced to your body.  It simply goes into a dormant state after a case of chicken pox or a chicken pox vaccination. Shingles Rash Many years later this, same virus can re-awaken and cause a very itchy, blistery rash on one side of the body. Pain can develop in the area of the rash. Flu like symptoms can occur at this time.  Over the course of several weeks, most of the problems subside.  However, some people experience problems for months to years after such an infection. If you do become afflicted by a case of shingles, here are some common sense tips from the American Academy of Dermatology: Consult a physician as soon as poss

Since the 1970s copper bracelets (and more recently, copper socks) have been available to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Purportedly, the copper in the jewelry is absorbed by the body and has a therapeutic effect on the wearer.  While I was looking for information for this post, I discovered the following facts about this practice: According to WebMD and the Arthritis Foundation, the practice of wearing copper jewelry(or socks) has NO therapeutic benefit.  A 1976 study I found in the NIH archives showed that subjects who wore copper containing products absorbed some copper through their skin over the course of wear.  Symptom improvement was reported, but it could well be placebo effect. Copper is an essential mineral. A small amount of copper in the diet is necessary for nutritional reasons. It does have anti-inflammatory properties but there's no evidence to support that taking copper supplements is beneficial to RA patients. Sources: Arthritis.org; WebMD; NIH;

I first heard of magnetic jewelry some years ago. A friend told me that she bought a necklace with a magnetic pendant; purportedly the magnet improves the circulation in the area where the magnet sits on the body, ultimately providing pain relief to the wearer.  In addition to necklaces, there are rings,bracelets and magnetic strips that can be worn on ankles, wrists and back. According to Wikipedia, several studies of this type of self treatment for chronic pain is perfectly safe, but the efficacy of these products has yet to be proven.  So if you want to try it, there is no harm in doing so, but it may not provide the pain relief you might anticipate.  There's always the chance that you will experience the "placebo effect" and actually feel that it provides some level of comfort.  If that's the case, go for it! Sources: Wikimedia; Wikipedia

We've all heard the expression "Laughter is the best medicine."  But did you know that there is really scientific evidence to explain it?  It really is fascinating.  Here are some of the facts about laughter that explain why it really does help with chronic pain and other illnesses. Immune system booster:   by increasing immune cells and antibodies Reduces stress hormone levels     via release of endorphins Helps prevent heart disease   due to improved circulation Promotes muscle relaxation   direct effect--causes reduction of tension Improves mood   through endorphin release Enhances resilience   allows person to regroup during times of emotional distress Diffuses conflict   a good laugh can break up an argument in progress by diverting attention from anger to humor Attracts other people to us   Shared laughter makes relationship between persons more appealing Promotes group bonding   Laughing toget

This post is for all you women out there... it turns out that there are some fairly common causes of back pain that are particular to the female gender.  This post might not help you to solve evert back pain issue, but it will give you some food for thought as to why you might be having back pain in the first place... Many people have a weak core...you know, area of your body from your shoulder to your groin.  In case you did not realize, a strong core is key and there are many types of exercises you can do to keep these muscles in tip top shape.  Sit ups are one example of a core exercise.. the plank or hover is another.  Here is a post I wrote earlier this year about that very subject. Menstruation is another back pain problem unique to the women of the world.  Often times, women experience menstrual cramps in the back as opposed to the abdomen.  In addition, our bodies secrete a hormone called relaxin just before menstruation.  This hormone makes all the joints in the bo

Most of us have heard of acupuncture, but have you ever heard of auricular therapy ?  It's a specialized form of acupuncture that focuses on treating pain by inserting needles in the ear. Developed by a French physician in the 1950s, it is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. In this form of therapy, each area of the body has a corresponding point on the ear. As such, needles placement to treat a patient's pain will depend on the specific area of bodily discomfort. This type of alternative medical treatment can be provided by a number of practitioners, including biofeedback specialists, acupuncturists, chiropractic doctors, reflexologists, and others. Almost any area of the body can be treated by this type of acupuncture; however, literature suggests that headaches, chronic pain, detoxification from addiction, relief of nausea, and reduction of hypertension are common conditions of persons seeking this approach as a remedy. It is thought that auricular therapy works i

I write this blog especially for people who have chronic pain..but today's post is sage advice for all of us, whether chronic or occasional pain is an issue.  We all experience some discomfort at different points in our lives, and making good choices on how to address this problem can make all the difference in the world. First of all...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  To that end, it is important to take the best care of yourself every day.  Healthy habits such as exercise, a nutritious diet and avoidance of tobacco products are a good starting point.  The better your overall health, the better you will feel every day. Choose medications wisely.  Try to minimize use of the most potent pain medications (if prescribed) or avoid altogether to eliminate the possibility of addiction.  Be careful never to exceed the amount prescribed. In the case of over the counter medications, keeping your overall health situation in mind when choosing a product.  For in

After writing the post about the Serenity Prayer, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few thoughts about acceptance.  You might not think this is really an appropriate topic for a pain management blog, but if you'll bear with me for a few paragraphs, you'll see the connection. Image source: Wikipedia What is acceptance? Wikipedia seems to give me the most appropriate description for purposes of  this discussion.  The first paragraph under this topic goes like this: Acceptance  in  human   psychology  is a person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it, protest. The concept is close in meaning to 'acquiescence', derived from the Latin 'acquiēscere' (to find rest in). [1] When a person is accepting of a situation or condition--it changes everything!  In chronic pain syndromes this simply means that you know that a cert

Many of you might be familiar with "The Serenity Prayer." It's used at places like Alcoholics Anonymous....but I believe it has its place in the chronic pain world...for those who believe in God, that is.  There's a lot of wisdom here, about acceptance and guidance from above in when we're making decisions about life situations and how to address them. So, without further ado,it goes like this: Image source: Flickr

If you have an unbearable headache, especially one that is due to high blood pressure...try this simple remedy for rapid, drug free relief. First, find some gauze or light cotton fabric to use for a compress.  Fold the fabric so it has eight layers, and set it aside for a few minutes. Next, measure out 250 ml (8 1/2 ounces) of hot water (140-160) degrees Fahrenheit.  Add two teaspoonfuls of salt to the water and stir until dissolved. What you will now have is an 8% saline solution.   Wash your forehead, ears and neck with a little bit of water. Soak the fabric or gauze in the saline solution and wring out the excess liquid. Lay down and apply the compresses to your forehead, neck and ears.  Once the compresses are applied, lay still for 20 minutes (even though you may start to feel relief very quickly!)   After the twenty minutes have passed, remove the compresses. Rinse the areas where the compresses were applied with plain water. You should be feeling better

Cryotherapy takes the idea of icing an injured body part to a whole new level. Imagine standing inside a tubular structure stark naked, and feeling the effects of liquid nitrogen that's been cooled to a mind-boggling 200 degrees below zero.  It sounds crazy, but some are saying that it works wonders for chronic pain problems. Cryosauna unit Image Source: Wikipedia "Cryosaunas", as they are called, are not widely available here in the US...but they are beginning to appear in various locales. That being said, since its introduction in Japan in the 1970s, there are some true believers.  There's not much in the way of scientific study to back the claims, but those who have regular treatments have said the following: that they experience a feeling of euphoria during treatment sleep quality is improved relief from joint pain, arthritis calorie burn--over 500 to 800 calories are burned over the next several hours! flushes out toxins pain relief is instantan

Many people believe that massage is for the wealthy; that it's a way to be pampered in the same way that going for a facial or pedicure would be.  In truth, a good massage can be a way to make ourselves feel pampered... but it is so much more than that ! According to the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy can decrease swelling and improve joint mobility. Muscle spasms are eased, and blood circulation increases when undergoing massage. It is also possible that this form of therapy can increase the level of endorphins--i.e., the body's naturally occurring pain killer. Stress and anxiety are reduced, and some studies suggest that immune system function improves when massage therapy is applied. There are many health conditions that benefit from massage therapy--among them are cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, insomnia, fibromyalgia, headaches, and nicotine dependency. Keep in mind that there are many massage techniques available.  Here is a sampling: Swedish Massag

Are you into the juicing craze?  If so, this post is for you.  Click on this link to arrive at "Juicing for Health" section.  You will see a recipe for juice specific to pain relief, along with a brief essay that explains how the ingredients can help with pain relief.  Maybe it won't help...but unless severely allergic to an ingredient, it's safe enough to give it a try.

I came across this video while searching for material for my blog.  It's not as informative as most things I like to share, but it certainly offers some optimism for women who are dealing with this issue. Colleen Fitzgerald, MD is the speaker and she gives an overview of some of the musculoskeletal issues that women face at different points in their lives (youth, midlife, and older years)  and gives us a glimpse at some strategies for dealing with the pain in a drug free way.  If you have this kind of problem or you know someone who might benefit from what she has to say, feel free to share! Source: PainWeek

The idea for today's post comes from a story out of Australia--a story about a man who suffered terrible back pain.  Although the initial back problem was healed from a physical point of view, the idea of walking even small distances was disabling to him.  The young man took pain medications and wore a back brace, but that did not seem to be enough.  To put it simply, his body was healed...but his mind was not. When the man's physician recommended cognitive behavioral therapy it seemed a bit absurd at first. But after, consulting thirty different doctors, he found a pain clinic that worked with him, in essence "training his brain to feel less pain." Using a stopwatch, they worked to increase the amount of time he could sit upright, for example, by increasing the time in small increments day after day. There was also a psychologist involved who worked with the patient on relaxation and meditation techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychological tec

Do you have rheumatoid arthritis?  Here are some ideas for "home remedies".. Keep in mind that this form of arthritis is a systemic disease and should be under a doctor's care. But home remedies can offer some help in living with this uncomfortable, crippling condition! Garlic Garlic has some very potent anti-inflammatory properties.  Some say you should consume one or two raw cloves of garlic daily, but there are garlic capsules available if this doesn't seem appealing to you. Exercise This remedy has many benefits--it can boost mood, maintain or increase range of motion, and can build strength and/or increase endurance!  For most benefit, work with a personal trainer or physical therapist to create a personalized program of exercise. Epsom Salts Add 2 cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath; soak for about one half hour a few times each week to help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Massage It wou

There's a new player in town for those who suffer from back or leg pain. It's a spinal cord stimulator that's so small it can fit on a fingertip!  Most of these devices are about the size of a deck of cards due to the fact that the traditional devices hold a battery within.  The Stimwave , on the other hand is an all in one device that is wireless.  Traditional devices in this category require surgical implant; the Stimwave can be injected via conventional needle! Here is a short video about the device: For more information about the product, you can visit the corporate web page by clicking here. Sources: YouTube; Medgadget.com; Stimwave.com