I believe healing must address the whole person in order to obtain the best treatment outcomes and an effective chronic pain management plan—not to mention freedom from suffering. Part of my initial evaluation session with my patients includes scoring each of the four areas of self—Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual. Each area is scored on a 1 to 25 point scale and that this score is your starting point—if it’s low don’t worry we can bring it up and if it seems high don’t get complacent because it can always come down.

I also explain some of the important components needed in each of the four areas before I ask them to give me their score. In the Biological area I cover interventions such as diet/nutrition, sleep hygiene, activity pacing, stress management, eliminating or reducing nicotine, caffeine and sugar, etc., as well as having an effective medication management plan in place. Then I explain the scoring; if the score is 1 to 3 you should probably be hospitalized in the intensive care unit and if you score 25, you’re ready to run a triathlon.

In the Psychological area I list examples like managing self-defeating defense mechanisms (AKA denial), positive thinking and feeling management plans, therapy or counseling, daily balanced structure etc. Here I explain that if this score is 1 to 3, they need to be in the hospital, but this time in the psych ward. If their score 25, they’ve reached enlightenment or guru status.

Next is the Social area where I list ideas such as letting go of enabling friends/family members, setting assertive limits and boundaries, developing a chronic pain support system, connecting and communicating with family and friends in a healthy manner, etc. This time if the score is 1 to 3 they are hermits ready for a cave, and if it’s 25 they are a well connected social butterfly.

Finally the Spiritual area is where I list ideas such as prayer, meditation, finding peace in nature, working the steps if in a 12-Step Program, spiritual practice, religious practice, etc. This time if the score is 1 to 3 they are totally cut off from their spiritual connection, and if it’s 25 they are in total harmony.

Then I have them pick a goal in their lowest scored area and commit to a proactive plan of action that will raise that score. When that’s accomplished I have them go to the next lowest box and do the same thing. Then complete that process for the final two areas also. I explain the goal is to keep moving forward. This healing process is like walking up a down escalator; if you stop you go down.

People who are willing to develop a treatment plan that includes medication management, psychological/emotional healing, social/cultural and spiritual growth have a much better chance of obtaining effective chronic pain management and freedom from suffering. Remember though this is a right it is also a responsibility.

In my new book Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope I’ve included information on how to develop the bio-psycho-social-spiritual chronic pain management plan for more effective chronic pain management and freedom from suffering. For more information or to purchase my book please click here.

To learn more please see my video below.

You can learn about the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System at our website www.addiction-free.com. If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain and seems to be suffering; please consider my book Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope. This book was written for people living with chronic pain who are ready to learn and then put into practice seven strategic steps that will help them better manage their chronic pain condition, improve their quality of life, end suffering, and achieve their cherished goals. To purchase my Freedom from Suffering book please Click Here.

To read the latest issue of Chronic Pain Solutions Newsletter please click here. If you want to sign up for the newsletter, please click here and input your name and email address. You will then receive an autoresponse email that you need to reply to in order to finalize enrollment.

Today I want to discuss the importance of making peace with your pain for more effective chronic pain management and freedom from suffering. One important suggestion I have for anyone living with chronic pain is to stop making pain your enemy; it’s time to make friends with your pain.

This process can be a challenging, but believe me, it’s crucial that you make peace with your pain and stop fighting it–pain is part of who you are so you’re really just fighting yourself. When you make peace with your pain, you’ll be able to create a life worth living filled with meaning and satisfaction.

Today I can honestly say that I’m grateful for that construction accident and my injury so many years ago that started me on my own journey of hope. I’ve found that living with a pain condition for almost three decades has created some limitations for me, but the rewards far outweigh them.

I have participated in the healing journey of others living with chronic pain, taught healthcare providers how to work more effectively with their patients suffering with chronic pain, have developed and maintained more fulfilling relationships, as well as writing this book. But my journey did not happen overnight, and yours won’t either; it takes commitment, willingness and hope.  I’ve covered this topic in my book Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope.  For more information or to purchase my book please click here.

Please watch my video below for more of my insights.

You can learn about the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System at our website www.addiction-free.com. If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain and seems to be suffering; please consider my book Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope. This book was written for people living with chronic pain who are ready to learn and then put into practice seven strategic steps that will help them better manage their chronic pain condition, improve their quality of life, end suffering, and achieve their cherished goals. To purchase my Freedom from Suffering book please Click Here.

To read the latest issue of Chronic Pain Solutions Newsletter please click here. If you want to sign up for the newsletter, please click here and input your name and email address. You will then receive an autoresponse email that you need to reply to in order to finalize enrollment.

Since June is National Migraine Awareness Month and I woke up with a migraine today I decided to blog about it and even shoot a short video. Please read the following information and watch my short video.

When many people think migraine they think only of the pain of migraine. In reality, a migraine episode consists of far more. A typical migraine episode often consists of four parts, referred to as phases or components. It’s important to note that not every migraineur experiences all four phases. Also, episodes can vary with different phases experienced during different episodes.

The four phases of a migraine episode:

Prodrome: Aura: Aura follows the prodrome and usually lasts less than an hour. The symptoms and effects of the aura vary widely. Some can be quite terrifying, especially when experienced for the first time. Some of the visual distortions can be exotic and bizarre and the most common are visual symptoms: flashing lights, wavy lines, spots, partial loss of sight, blurry vision.

Headache: This is the actual period of pain experienced during the migraine episode. The pain is usually unilateral (affecting one side of the head) although it can change sides or sometimes be bilateral. The pain is usually throbbing or pulsating, and can be aggravated by physical activity.

Postdrome: This is the period following a bad migraine headache during which a person feels tired. Sometimes called Migraine hangover.

Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:

Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun.

Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Psychological/emotional component:

When you are in pain you experience both physical and psychological/emotional symptoms. The psychological symptoms include both thinking changes and emotional (or uncomfortable feelings) responses that often lead to suffering. Most people can’t differentiate between the physical and psychological types of pain. All they know is: I hurt! For effective pain management to occur you need to learn all you can about your pain—including the psychological/emotional component.

Nonpharmacological migraine management component:

Nonpharmacological treatments have proven effective for many pain conditions. For example, recent studies have shown that endorphins mediate the analgesic effects of acupuncture and placebos as well. Still to be discovered is the mechanism by which hypnosis accomplishes its analgesic effects.Some of the nonpharmacological processes are listed below.

Meditation and Relaxation
Emotional Management
Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy
Chiropractic Treatment
Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Hypnosis or Self-Hypnosis

People who are willing to develop a treatment plan that includes medication management, psychological/emotional healing, and proactive nonpharmacological interventions have a much better chance of obtaining effective chronic pain management and freedom from suffering. Remember though this freedom is a right; but it is also your responsibility.

Please check out my video below

You can learn about the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System at our website www.addiction-free.com. If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain and seems to be suffering; please consider my book Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope. This book was written for people living with chronic pain who are ready to learn and then put into practice seven strategic steps that will help them better manage their chronic pain condition, improve their quality of life, end suffering, and achieve their cherished goals. To purchase my Freedom from Suffering book please Click Here.

To read the latest issue of Chronic Pain Solutions Newsletter please click here. If you want to sign up for the newsletter, please click here and input your name and email address. You will then receive an autoresponse email that you need to reply to in order to finalize enrollment.