What is Body Scanning? Body Scanning is a great pain management tool. I originally learned it in physical therapy while being treated for fibromyalgia. The PT taught me to scan my body and to notice any areas of discomfort, aches, or pain. Elizabeth Scott, MS in her article Body Scan Meditation stated, "The goal is … Continue reading Body Scanning for Pain Management
Photo by Markus Winkler Quick stress reduction tools are needed now more than ever during this time of a pandemic and local and global unrest. Has your pain increased over the last few months? Well, stress and pain go hand in hand. The American Psychological Association’s article Stress Effects on the Body states: “Chronic stress … Continue reading Quick Stress Reduction Tools
June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month This is a quick blog to let you know some great sites for head pain. Take the time to research new treatment options. Here’s my story on how I went from using the same abortive medications for years to using a preventative injection that has reduced my … Continue reading National Migraine & Pain Headache Awareness Month
You may significantly reduce monthly migraines using CGRP medication.
I found new metaphors for my chronic pain while sitting in the Tillamook Rainforest for four days with no technology to distract me. During this period, I listened for wisdom. Vision Quest and Metaphors I wrote in my journal “Walk between the raindrops. Your thoughts about pain flow so closely together that you think you … Continue reading Metaphors for Chronic Pain
I watched Jerry Seinfeld’s “23 Hours to Kill” on Netflix last night. He was speaking about phrases that he doesn’t like and the first one he said was, “It is what it is.” My husband and I started laughing because I use it when people ask about my chronic pain. It Is What It Is This … Continue reading Chronic Pain “It Is What It Is”
Coming Home to the Coronavirus We came home from the beach to the Coronavirus!!! My husband and I were at the Oregon Coast for our yearly vacation in early March. The decision was made to stay off the Internet while in our room and to only briefly check emails when out. Blissfully Unaware of the … Continue reading Coronavirus and Chronic Pain
I am currently on vacation and wrote this three days before we left. My husband and I feel excited and ready to go. This year we have no other plans than to stare at the ocean, sit in the hot tub and go out to a couple of our favorite places. Or not. We have … Continue reading Vacation!!!
Weather and chronic pain go hand in hand. You may have heard someone say, “It’s going to rain tomorrow. I can feel it in my bones.” What is Barometric Pressure? “…barometric pressure is the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere…” Read the Setra Systems blog to understand it from the scientific aspect. Changes in … Continue reading Weather and Chronic Pain?
I used to have up to 100 goals a year and I completed them. I then created systems to work more efficiently so I could take on MORE while parenting, spending time with my husband, family, girlfriends and volunteering. I loved goals. I had them created for 5, 10 and 20 years into the future … Continue reading GOALS CHANGE with Chronic Pain
How do you Heal? Does chronic pain control you? Do you have days where the damage exists and controls your thoughts? Are you depressed about the things you can no longer do? Is thriving is so far away from where you are that you can only imagine being controlled by your pain? Stop fighting with … Continue reading Does Chronic Pain Control You?
Purple and pink crocuses dot the grass. Daffodils push up through the rain-soaked earth. The daphne’s fragrance permeates the air. I woke up to a light dusting of snow. Then a mighty deluge of Oregon rain for a few days. And yesterday the sun popped out. This all happened in one week. Barometric pressure changes … Continue reading I Believe in Spring
Look for words that uplift you If you are having a day where your thoughts keep turning to your pain, search out other's writing that uplifts you. Sometimes just reading another point of view, can pull you into a new place and reduce your discomfort. Many of you may have artificial hips, shoulders, knees and/or … Continue reading Just For Today Let Other’s Words Soothe Your Pain
You need Chronic or Persistent Pain Basics in your pain management tools. If you are in the midst of a flare, this becomes even more important, so I am keeping this simple. Here’s a review of many of the tools that I have posted in past blogs. No is a Complete Sentence Remember to say, … Continue reading Chronic or Persistent Pain Basics
Now What? 3 months since brain surgery… ~ Hole cut in my skull ~ 5 arteries moved ~ Teflon inserted ~ Titanium plate inserted ~ 17 days later trigeminal nerve pain returned ~ 42 days later all nerve pain returned AND more… ~ Failure AND I’m also recovering from brain surgery SAD ANGRY … Continue reading My Brain Surgery Didn’t Work. Now What?
Allow silence. Feel your body relax. Create a few minutes, an hour, or a day to rest from words. I’m coping this week. Using all of my tools. Silence came forward and said, “Use me!” Sending peace to you all. Hugs! I am Gail Sinclair a Master Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master Teacher, and Certified Nutritional Consultant … Continue reading Silence as a Coping Skill for Chronic Pain
Use this list to start the New Year and consciously reduce your pain. Trust that they work. There is a reason that you've probably heard most of these suggestions. Why? Because they consistently help! Practice these ideas alone when you first learn them. You can do this at your own pace until it becomes second … Continue reading 9 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Chronic Pain
What tools are you using daily to help you with your pain? Because chronic pain is so taxing on your mind and body, you need to take action to reduce it. You can look up how all the items on this list help reduce pain and you will find evidence-based proof. It's science! The New … Continue reading Tools and Chronic Pain
If this is your season of celebration, please take a moment for your own self-care. What can you do during this potentially busy season? Self-Care list: Drink a decaffeinated cup of teaStare into space for 5-10 minutesTake a bath with the door shutListen to calming musicEat a tangerine slowlyWatch a movie that soothes and entertains … Continue reading Chronic Pain and Self-Care
What? Really? How? Shapeshifting? In mythology, fairy tales, or shamanic lore, shapeshifting is typically defined as when humans change into someone or something else. One of the most common examples in movies and books is a werewolf. If you were bitten by a werewolf, you would then transform from a man into a wolf at … Continue reading Shapeshifting Relieves Chronic Pain
"Never own a disease. Reduce the amount of time you talk about it. Refuse to allow illness a place in your consciousness." RawforBeauty.com Every time I read this it stops me in my tracks just as pain can stop me. I think about this and work on it daily in order to thrive. When my … Continue reading Words and Chronic Pain
Do you have to keep doing all the holiday traditions? What is most important? Is it your family? Is it your friends? Buying presents? Wrapping presents? Stuffing stockings? Decorating? Cooking? Cleaning? Caring for the emotional health of everyone else? Making sure that you are the Martha Stewart of the annual parties you host? Volunteering at … Continue reading Holidays and Chronic Pain
I am in several online support groups for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Occipital and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. I have learned so much about these conditions, what gives relief, and what procedures have been successful for others because I joined five years ago. When my brain surgery was scheduled, I logged into the Trigeminal Neuralgia group and asked … Continue reading Chronic Pain Support Groups
The Number one Thing you can do for Pain Relief Distraction is the most powerful analgesic because it helps you stop catastrophizing every ache and pain. “… it appears to involve competition for attention between a highly salient sensation (pain) and consciously directed focus on some other information processing activity.” How Does Distraction Work in … Continue reading Distraction is the Most Powerful Analgesic
I recently had brain surgery to cure Trigeminal, Occipital and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. My husband and I had the luxury of going to the beautiful Oregon Coast for five days just before my procedure. The night before, we went to the Oregon Symphony with my parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law to listen to Motown songs. I was … Continue reading Brain Surgery
Last month, I got to see two of my long-time girlfriends that I have known since 1997. You know. The kind that distance and time do not matter and when you get together it is as if no time has passed. This was not only good for my soul, but it was amazing how this … Continue reading Friendship Distracts From Chronic Pain
Without any notice, my neurologist of nearly three years quit. I was assigned to a new one and six months later the entire practice was no longer covered by my health insurance plan. I had to find a new neurologist! I had to find a new neurologist. The doctor did not have recommendations for me. … Continue reading Track Your Chronic Pain Health History
I retired from being me. At the beginning of the pain, I was just trying to get through each day. I went from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was wrong with me while still living, working, volunteering, partnering, laughing and doing activities of daily life. I updated websites and kept books for … Continue reading I Retired From Who I Was Because of Chronic Pain
Pain Does Not Equal Harm! What? I admit that this was one of the hardest things for me to understand. How can that be? But I have nerves that are spasming. How is this not damaging them? Are you sure they are not getting torn each time this happens? No? A migraine is a great … Continue reading Pain Does Not Equal Harm
I did not say, “Cures Chronic Pain.” I have permanent incurable diseases however; I am healed more every day by the actions I take. This morning I sat in my room. I slowly wrote down things I was grateful for. The first two were about friends I saw this week. You know, those soul sister … Continue reading Gratitude Heals Chronic Pain
A quick blog today. My video of my TN story posted today on the US Pain Foundation's site. Click here to view the video. Please know that there are many organizations putting research dollars into your chronic pain disease and offering helpful ideas on how to thrive in your daily life. I am thinking of … Continue reading Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chronic Pain
In honor of attention being focused on those who live with chronic pain, I thought I would make a quick list of sites that are concentrating on helping you improve your life! American Chronic Pain Association – In 2001, the ACPA led a coalition to establish September as Pain Awareness Month and they succeeded. The … Continue reading Sites Talking About Pain Awareness Month
You don’t have to do much searching on the Internet to find good pain resources for most diseases. Leaving the comfort of your home to find credible information and support is difficult if you are in the midst pain flares. What a gift to have this access at your fingertips. The US Pain Foundation is … Continue reading September is National Pain Awareness Month
I read somewhere that “Distraction is the most powerful analgesic of all.” I cannot find who said it, but I want to give thanks to this idea. The Action of Distraction When I am really focused on something and especially if I am laughing, my pain is not as strong. Sometimes, I don’t notice it … Continue reading Distraction and Chronic Pain
Too Many Cliches I have heard the following clichés during my years with chronic illnesses: You attracted this for a reason. Think positive. Think happy thoughts. God never gives you more than you can handle. When one door closes another one opens. Your pain can be a blessing if you look at it from the … Continue reading Hearing “You Manifested Your Illness” Causes More Pain
Taser like pains raged through my body. The Taser like pains raged through my head again. My medications seemed to be less effective as time passed with this permanent and incurable disease of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). I told others that it felt like a Taser was shot into my head. People with neuralgia pain will … Continue reading Tasers, Metaphors and Chronic Pain
Scan Your Body I was having lightening like stabs and jolts in the left side of my head, and jaw and eye and I automatically started scanning my body. This is a process I learned over 25 years ago when I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The goal was to notice what was happening in … Continue reading Scan Your Body to Reduce Chronic Pain
My longtime friend was telling me about another procedure she had for her bladder. She spent the last few years dealing with the after effects of cancer and radiation. She said with her usual good humor and sarcasm, “Well at least I have a family camping trip coming up. Silver linings!” I woke up the … Continue reading Chronic Pain and the Silver Linings
The recent flare was gone... As I opened my eyes this morning, I knew the recent flare was gone. The low burning and ache that is always with me was still there, but the last three day's assault to my body and psyche had dissipated. It started three days ago. First the splotchy itchy arms, … Continue reading Flares and Chronic Pain
"The problem with complaining about your health is that it tends to draw us to the actual experience of illness..." A complaint Free World Language is everything to me. The way I think and speak and especially the way I talk to myself about pain becomes ever more important. Over the years, I have worked … Continue reading I am not ill. I just have chronic pain.
“Can you accept that your pain is permanent and incurable?” asked my Acceptance and Commitment therapist during our second session. Permanent and incurable? I felt the question in my gut. Heavy. Weighty. Dark. Sticky. As if a shadow had run across my whole being in that moment and landed in my gut. Acceptance of what … Continue reading Is Your Chronic Pain Permanent and Incurable?
You did not ask for this. You did not attract this. You owe no karmic debt. You simply have chronic pain. Do not add more punishment to what you are already going through or allow others to chastise you with their words. When I got diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, I had well-meaning friends from my … Continue reading You Did Not Attract Your Chronic Pain
