Everyday pain management ideas

  Most of us have some familiarity with the idea that pain is usually something that is  self reported; health care providers may ask a patient to rate the discomfort on a scale of 1 to 10, use the smiley face pain index, or some similar scale to gauge how comfortable or uncomfortable a patient may feel.  The trouble is, this is all subjective.  There is no way to actually measure the pain.   A few years ago, there was a research paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine about measuring chronic pain. The method that was discussed is something new and interesting, and really does attempt to measure pain in an objective way.  The study authors used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to identify a "pain signature" within the patients brain.  Most of the study is too technical for the purposes of this blog...but the exciting thing is that confirmation of  a patient's self report of pain could actually exist in the future of medicine!  

I have been posting to this blog regularly for about eighteen months now.  Recently I have had many positive comments to my posts, and I hope there are many more readers out there who haven't commented...but benefit from the information I share here. Today's post is a little different..most of the posts are about living with chronic pain once you have it. But, what if you could prevent chronic pain?  As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  This applies to chronic pain and many other chronic health conditions as it applies to all kinds of things in daily life.   I came across a newspaper article about this very topic, and I am going to share their tips for prevention of chronic pain with you today Even though there is not a 100% guarantee that following all these tips to the letter will spare the reader from all physical pain, the advice is very good.  I have previously discussed many of these ideas in prior blo

Have you ever seen anyone wearing a back brace...similar to the image above?  Such devices provide support to the spine.  These devices help to heal a back injury and provide support in a preventive way.  You can purchase such a device at many medical supply stores and pharmacies. What if you could achieve the same kind of support using your own muscle tissue?  There are many advantages to this: 1) You never have to worry over whether or not the fit is correct. 2) You don't have to put it on or take it off. 3)  It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 4)  It's 100% natural. 5)  Your body shape will change in appearance...for the better! Looking better helps one to feel       better. If this sounds good to you...I have good news for you.  It is possible to achieve this goal!  I wrote a post about this concept (known as core training) last year, if you are interested click here to read more. There is a brief description of core training and also there are a couple

I am very excited to tell you about an all natural method of pain management for all types of chronic pain.  It's called the MELT method, and it is based on the theory that exacerbation of chronic pain can be attributed to dehydration of connective tissues in our bodies. According to Sue Hitzman, author of The MELT Method,  all people are subject to dehydration of body connective tissues.  She asserts that this dehydration process lead to "stuck stress" and inflammation over the course of time.  The MELT method is a way to address the "stuck stress" and help to disrupt the chronic pain cycle. She theorizes that the body's connective tissue is a network throughout the body, so all body parts are interconnected in a way...and her self-help technique is thus useful for chronic pain no matter what the source. If you'd like to know more about the MELT method, here is a link to the author's post from a Dr. Oz episode.  You can also find her book

The Role of Positive Traits and Pain Catastrophizing in Pain Perception Scholarly studies are done all the time to look at cause and effect relationships between various things.  A report in a 2013 issue of Current Pain and Headache Reports , authored by Kim Pulvers and Anna Hood is one such article.  These two authors did a review of scholarly articles and reported on how two distinct personality traits--Optimism and Pain Catastrophizing--impacted pain perception in the human population. For purposes of discussion, the authors define optimism as "a generalized expectancy for positive outcomes." They surveyed populations with various painful conditions, including, cancer, sickle cell disease, osteoarthritis, and facial pain.  The general trend that they discovered was that optimism was a protective mechanism against pain. They go on to say that hope, a goal directed form of thought, can be associated with a higher threshold for pain. Self-efficacy, or be

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder in which pressure on certain points in the body (known as trigger points) causes pain in another part of the body, seemingly unrelated.  This is commonly caused by the muscle tension that results from repetitive motion. We all have aches and pains due to some kind of hobby or job responsibility that we repeat again and again, but in this syndrome tends to persist, or even get worse. At the present time treatment for myofascial pain syndrome includes physical therapy and/or injections into the trigger points.  There are also massage or chiropractic techniques known as " myofascial release " that may be of help. Sadly, not all chronic pain conditions can be "cured" and this condition may well be one of those.  Even though that may be the case, there are many things that can be done by a patient or his/her treatment team so that the patient can live with their condition more comfortably.  It is important t

Here are some interesting things I recently read about chronic pain...and they may surprise you! 1) Similar to the story I posted about spider venom...scorpion venom is under investigation for pain    management uses. 2) Painful menstrual cramps can be relieved by avoiding caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, salty foods, red meat, and sugary foods during menstrual periods. 3) It is not uncommon to have vitamin D deficiency due to use of sunblocks, or avoiding time in the sun to prevent skin cancer.  This can be determined by a simple blood test.  Why is this important? Many of these same people suffer from chronic pain are are in the vitamin D deficient group. Vitamin D supplementation will not only correct the deficiency, but also help to improve pain levels. 4) Sleeping in the fetal position is known as "the natural defensive position." In the psychological sense, this posture reminds us of the safety and comfort of our mother's womb. It may also hel

Spider bites can be painful, right?  And they can become infected, which leads to a whole host of problems worse than the original bite.  But believe it or not, some of the substances contained in some varieties of spider venom may actually provide a new way to treat some forms of chronic pain. Brian Stallard, a writer at Nature World New s, recently wrote an article about this very topic. He cites an article in the British Journal of Pharmacology that describes research in this area.  The journal authors have found that some persons are genetically deficient in the ability to block certain pain channels, resulting in widespread pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.  The venom components under study seems to block these pain channels, resulting in some relief from the widespread pain. While this research is still in its infancy, it shows promise for development of a whole new class of painkillers. They also offer hope to those who suffer from these disorders, which have limi

I am a child of the fifties.  I remember going through a period in high school during which the dangers of asbestos became apparent, and there was much ado about removing asbestos from homes and public buildings.  Our high school, which was built in the 1920s, underwent massive asbestos removal and parts of the complex were closed for extended periods of time. I believe at the time, the big scare over asbestos focused largely on the fact that it is a known human carcinogen.  But now, there is even more to be said about the hazards of these minerals.  Last year, a group of researchers from Idaho State University and The Center for Environmental Health Studies at the University of Montana revealed that asbestos may play a role in some autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a newly described autoimmune disease affecting the lungs. In the early 2000s, the CDC conducted an extensive screening in the town of Libby, Montana, where many individuals have been

Have you ever heard the expression, "Laughter is the best medicine"?  Well, to some extent this is true.  All too often we take life much too seriously...and that includes everyone, not just chronic pain sufferers. Laughter is a distraction technique. If you can learn to step out of the box for a bit and enjoy some comedy, it just might help your pain tolerance levels to improve. I just read an article about this topic, and the author recommended some funny movies that might help my readers in this way.  I could post a link to the article, but I think I'll just send you a list of the movies instead.  These are by no means the only movies that ever made anyone laugh..but I hope they make your day a little brighter!   Bridesmaids (2011)   Some Like It Hot (1959)  Tootsie  (1982)   Groundhog Day (1993)   Annie Hall (1997)  Airplane! (1980)   The Producers (2005)  Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)  There's Something About Mary (1998)  The Hang

After I wrote the post about the Fibromyalgia Float Project, I got to thinking about Epsom Salts. Even though technically, I suppose that they could be considered a pharmaceutical, they are safe and effective.  This product has been around literally forever, and might be a real godsend for some chronic pain sufferers. Epsom Salts are made up of naturally occurring minerals...primarily magnesium and sulfur.  Magnesium deficiency is fairly common and may affect many body functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure regulation. Sulfur deficiency may play a role in obesity, heart disease, chronic fatigue, and dementia. One way to increase magnesium is to take an oral supplement--magnesium sulfate or magnesium oxide are fairly easy to find.  But another way to increase magnesium levels in the body is to to absorb it through the skin.  This can easily be accomplished by taking an epsom salt bath. A epsom salt foot bath is another op

Chronic pain affects many aspects of life, if you happen to be afflicted.  Though some days may be better than others, living with the notion that an unfriendly visitor can take hold at any time is certainly a frightening prospect.  This is sort of like living on a roller coaster--you know that there are ups and downs, and even if you can anticipate them, the reality is another story. Chronic pain is not just physical pain.  It has emotional components that cannot be ignored. Over time, having repeated bouts of unpleasant physical sensations takes its toll on an individual. Anxiety and depression are not uncommon in patients who live with conditions that yield chronic pain.  Some may even become socially withdrawn. How does one cope on a day to day basis?  Medication may play a role, but there are many alternatives to choose from.  Meditation or yoga is one example.  Perhaps someone else might opt for psychological counseling, or massage.  Still others may find the emotional

There is a mind-body connection, and it is more powerful than many might believe.  And now that the chronic use of opioid medications is being frowned upon in medical circles,  many alternative medical therapies are becoming the mainstream.  Tai chi, yoga and qi gong are becoming quite popular at this time, and traditional Chinese medicine and massage are coming into the light. Ancient Chinese Medical Text circa 12th Century Nowadays, some schools are incorporating yoga into their physical education programs.  Cleveland Clinic now has an Herbal Therapy Clinic, and the prestigious Mayo Clinic is operating an integrative medicine center. Acupuncture is another of these alternative practices that is growing in popularity.  This seems to be a great option for low back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, and neck pain.  We are only on the horizon of understanding this practice and how to use it for full benefit. Some of these treatments have the benefit of being self administer

As if we haven't already pointed out enough reasons to avoid routine use of opioids, here is yet another. A recent article in the journal Pain reports that incidence of new onset depression has been associated with chronic use of opiate based medications.  The authors of the study followed over 300 patients who suffered from low back pain and followed up on each patient at one year and two years respectively.  The authors believe that the risk of depression increased in two ways: 1) the amount of daily morphine (opiate) exposure and 2) the duration of time that opioids were used by the patient.       I personally believe that these medications have their place in pain management...for instance, post surgical or post medical procedure...or perhaps, for breakthrough pain.  The issue becomes problematic when a patient relies on this type of medication around the clock on a daily basis. You can read more about this study in an article found here. Sources: MedExpress; devi

This little slideshow will help you to find ten simple ways to help reduce the chronic pain in your life. Follow the link above to the WebMD presentation.  If you're in a hurry today, I am posting a short synopsis below! Get an endorphin boost!  Exercise. Breathe. Try meditation and/or biofeedback. Avoid alcohol. Quit smoking. Eat a healthier diet. Help your doctor to help you: keep a pain journal. Schedule time to relax. Set limits. Distract yourself from your pain. Learn about your medicines  and how to take them for optimal benefit. Find (and give support): family, friends, support groups are good. Sources: WebMD; Wikimedia

There are a couple of alternative medical treatments on the marketplace for osteoarthritis of the knee that I have not yet mentioned on this blog.  They are injectable products that are intended to replace the synovial fluid of the knee joint.  Synovial fluid is an important component in all joints throughout the human body; its purpose is to reduce friction and lubricate the joint, making our every movement a smooth operation. When osteoarthritis sets in, this fluid is lost over time and eventually the bones rub against each other, causing increased pain in the afflicted joint. Sanofi-Aventis was one of the first companies to enter the marketplace with a solution for this problem.   Synvisc, an injectable product that is intended to replace the synovial fluid of the knee joint, entered the marketplace several years ago.  It can provide relief for up to six months post injection.  The downside is that there are some cautions and warnings, such as the risk of severe allergic re

One of the most common cardiac problems in aging adults is an irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation.  Left untreated, this condition can lead to the formation of blood clots...blood clots can travel to the heart, lung, or brain leading to heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or stroke.  Once diagnosed, the usual treatment of atrial fibrillation includes an anticoagulant, such as warfarin to prevent the problems that result should a blood clot develop.  Anyone that knows someone with atrial fibrillation probably knows that it requires regular diagnostic monitoring and physician follow up. Example of an EKG This is one of those cases where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  A recent study out of the Netherlands tells us one way in which this can be accomplished.  The study followed over 8,000 people since the 1990s...it was determined that the non steroidal drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may play a huge role in the development of irregular heart beat.  

Today, I'd like to share something with relatively new in the treatment of fibromyalgia. To be specific, I am referring to the Fibromyalgia FLOAT Project .  The idea was first reported in Sweden back in 2012, and the early studies provided compelling evidence that this technique decreased pain, muscle tension, anxiety and stress.  Freedom of movement, energy, mood and quality of sleep were also greatly improved. It also became apparent that long term relief was possible if participants floated regularly. What is FLOAT?    Officially known as Flotation REST ( R educed E nvironmental S timulation T herapy), treatment is accomplished using a pool about the size of a large bed. The pool is filled with water that is saturated with Epsom Salts. Known as "Heavy Water", this makes it very easy for any participant to rest on their back atop the water with no effort.  The treatment pool is also temperature and light controlled. Each pool is in a private soundproof roo

Years ago, when I was working retail pharmacy, I seemed to have an aching back during cold weather seasons.  As it turned out, the temperature in the store was set pretty low in the winter months.  Most shoppers were wearing coats so it really was not necessary to worry about keeping them warm it seems.  In any event, after being exposed to the cold air for hours on end, my bodily response was to tighten up...and my back bore the brunt of it! I thought of that the other day when I came across an article on WebMD about some surprising causes of pain and how to remedy them.  So today, I am sharing this article with my readers.  You might just find a solution to a problem of your own! Click here to see: Surprising Reasons You're In Pain Sources: WebMD;openclipart.org

You are what you eat.  At least that's what one old saying says. There is some truth in this.  We all know that if we don't include certain things in our diet, we end up with deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, etc. that lead to serious illness.  We also can associate that a carbohydrate rich diet can increase the risk of diabetes.  And on it goes. A new study at Duke University reveals a connection between the types of fats in the diet and osteoarthritis symptoms.  Maybe you wouldn't think there's a connection here, but early evidence suggests that this is the case.  The study centered around mice (with osteoarthritis caused by injury) who were fed one of three types of diets: Diet A: rich in saturated fats (found in butter, dairy products, meats) Diet B: rich in Omega 6 fats (found in corn oil, soybean oil, nuts, and seeds) Diet C: rich in Omega 3 fats (found in fish oil, fish oil supplements) To make a long story short, the mice who ate the diet tha