Living with Chronic Pain
People in Pain Learning from each other
Biofeedback: Using your mind to improve your healthBiofeedback can help you to use your mind to manage certain medical conditions. Find out which ones, whether it's right for you and how it's done.By Mayo Clinic staffhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/Biofeedback/SA00083 Have you ever wished you could simply will your symptoms to disappear? With biofeedback you may be able to do just that by harnessing the power of your mind to help improve your health. Biofeedback definedBiofeedback is a type of complementary and alternative medicine called mind-body therapy. It's designed to enable you — in mind-over-matter fashion — to use your thoughts and will to control your body. Biofeedback is based on the idea, confirmed by scientific studies, that people have the innate potential to influence with their minds many of the automatic, involuntary functions of their bodies. To help you develop this ability, a biofeedback specialist uses signals from special monitoring equipment to teach you to control certain body functions and their responses, such as:
You can use biofeedback to help treat many physical and mental health problems when you've learned to recognize and control these functions and responses. Why it's doneBiofeedback can be particularly useful in treating stress-related conditions, and clinical trials are evaluating it in the treatment of many other conditions, including:
Biofeedback may appeal to you for several reasons:
Risks of biofeedbackBiofeedback is generally considered safe. It should generally not be used, however, if you have depression, psychosis, or another major mental health disorder. Biofeedback can potentially interfere with some medications, such as insulin, so patients with diabetes should exercise extra caution. Talk to your doctor to see whether biofeedback therapy is an appropriate treatment for you. What you can expectYou can receive biofeedback training in physical therapy clinics, medical centers and hospitals. A growing number of feedback devices and programs are being marketed for home use as well. But working with a therapist, initially, may provide the best long-term results. Preparation depends on the type of biofeedback therapy used. A typical biofeedback session lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The length and number of sessions will be determined by your condition and how quickly you learn to control your physical responses. During a biofeedback session, a therapist will apply electrical sensors to different parts of your body. These sensors will monitor your body's physiological response to stress — for instance, your muscle contraction during a tension headache — then feed the information back to you via cues such as a beeping sound or a flashing light. The feedback will allow you to begin to associate your body's response — in this case, headache pain — with certain physical functions, such as your muscles tensing. Once you begin to recognize that your headache is a result of tense muscles, the next step is to learn how to invoke positive physical changes in your body, such as relaxing those specific muscles, when your body is physically or mentally stressed. Your eventual goal will be to produce these responses on your own, outside the therapist's office and without the help of technology. Types of biofeedbackYour therapist may use several different techniques to gather information about your body's responses. Determining the one that's right for you will depend on your particular health problems and objectives. Machines and techniques include:
Finding a biofeedback therapistLook for a qualified therapist if you decide to try biofeedback. Many biofeedback therapists are licensed in another area of health care — for instance, as a registered nurse or physical therapist — and may work under the guidance of a doctor. Some biofeedback therapists attain certification from the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA). You may obtain a list of names of people in your area who have been certified by the BCIA by contacting the organization. Gather information about each of the potential therapists you identify prior to making an appointment. Ask the therapists to provide references, whether they are licensed in biofeedback or another health care field, and what experience they have treating your specific condition and symptoms. If you can't find a BCIA-certified therapist in your area, ask your doctor or another health professional with knowledge of biofeedback therapy to recommend someone who has experience treating your condition. Check, too, on whether your health insurer will cover the cost of treatment. Results of biofeedbackExperts aren't entirely sure how the biofeedback therapy works. Many people who've tried it can't explain how they're able to control their bodies, yet experience improvement in their symptoms. Biofeedback may enable you to reduce the amount of medication you take, or even help a condition that hasn't responded well to medication. Keep a daily diary to monitor your use of the treatment as well as how you feel before, during and after the therapy to assess whether biofeedback is effective in treating your particular symptoms. By learning to control your involuntary body functions, biofeedback may improve your medical condition and teach you valuable techniques for living a healthier life. |
What is EFT?
http://www.emofree.com/newcomer.htm
EFT is a powerful new discovery that combines two well established sciences so you can benefit from both at the same time:
- Mind Body Medicine
- Acupuncture (this new version does not require needles--anyone can do it).
There is voluminous scientific evidence that each of these methods, applied by itself, can provide impressive relief. But when you combine them both with EFT, a profound synergistic effect is possible. I have observed this repeatedly since 1997 and have seen many stunning results. I believe it is this synergism that allows EFT to sometimes work where nothing else will
You will need evidence of this for yourself and so I offer the following for your perusal:
- Try it yourself by downloading the EFT Manual for free.
It gives you all the basics and allows you to test drive EFT on your
own issues (although at a beginner's level). If you wish to save time
and dive right in you can buy our easy to use training Libraries.
They will take you all the way to mastery. Interestingly, this process
is so easy to use that no previous training required. Caveat: For
people who are emotionally or physically frail, qualified health
professionals should be consulted before using ANY health procedure.
- Peruse the many studies and experiments on our EFT Research and Science section.
- Read the exhaustive list of actual cases on this website. These are written by clients, therapists and physicians and allow you to see EFT's possibilities through the eyes of those that have already been there. Note the wide variety of successes. This is why one of our sayings is, "Try it on everything." It is as close to a Universal Healing Aid as anything I've seen.
More benefits...
- You can make enormous strides by introducing
EFT into your emotional therapy process (whether you are a professional
or a client). Instead of taking months or years using conventional
"talk therapy," EFT often does the job for you cleanly and thoroughly in one or two sessions
... and we sometimes achieve noticeable results in a few brief rounds
of EFT. We label these near-instant results as "one minute wonders."
- Once you have seen how well EFT clears out emotional debris, your next step is to notice how physical ailments start to fade.
Headaches, back pains and other discomforts often tend to improve or
vanish as emotional issues improve (this is the essence of Mind Body
Medicine). Your vision may become clearer and everyday stress may take
less toll on your system.
- Accordingly, you can apply it to just about everything. That is one of the most astonishing things about it. You use the same basic procedure for your fear of public speaking as you do for improving your golf score. You can also use it for everything from the common cold to multiple sclerosis (consult your physician, of course). Further, we have had reported successes for nearly every emotional issue on the books...including fear, trauma, depression, grief and schizophrenia. Some consider it the missing link in the pursuit of health and happiness.
Possible EFT limitations
I'm not saying here that EFT is perfect. We don't get 100%. But it usually works well and the results are sometimes spectacular. Because of it's unique approach, it can work where nothing else does and, to many, it represents a Doorway to a new Healing High-Rise.
You will find that EFT is usually quite gentle and you can often achieve substantial relief with little or no pain. This is not true for everyone, however. Some people's issues are so intense that the mere mention of them causes emotional or physical pain. But, given time, even these may be resolved efficiently with EFT.
A small percentage of our population (best estimate is less than 3%) have serious emotional and physical disabilities and thus newcomers to EFT are advised to exercise common sense in this regard. While you can use EFT to generate impressive relief for many people, please consult qualified health practiitioners where appropriate and don't go where you aren't qualified.
Staying Positive Through the Pain
Found at:
http://internetpastoronline.com/staying ... -the-pain/
Staying Positive Through the Pain
Please know that all email’s are edited and the names have been left out to assure everyone’s privacy - Internet Pastor
Dear Internet Pastor,
I have a disease called RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) in which my brain tells my nerves to misfire, ultimately causing my entire body to hurt almost 24/7. I am on heavy pain medication, though sometimes even that is not enough. I try to remember that this pain is only God’s way of making me stronger; that he needs me this strong for whatever tasks He has planned for my life. But living in so much pain and going to bed knowing that I will only hurt this bad if not worse tomorrow sometimes causes cycles of depression. How can I remain positive through all of the trials and pains in my life? And how can I use these struggles to become closer to God?
Signed,
staying positive through the pain
Dear staying positive,
Let me start by saying that I am praying for you. I had never heard of RSD so I went and did a little research online. I really can’t even imagine how diffiicult it must be. I have some friends with Fibromyalgia and have seen the impact of constant pain on their lives. They often struggle not only with the pain, but sometimes with guilt and shame over the disease like it is somehow their fault or that their faith is weak. I hate to see their legitimate pain added to by these lying thoughts. I would also say that constant pain would lead to periods of depression in most people.
How to stay positive? Sometimes when life is at its hardest all we have is the knowing that something better is on the horizon. Have you ever read the Chronicles of Narnia? In the first book in the series, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, everyone is excited because they have heard that Aslan is on the move. Jesus is on the move. He is coming back and until He does, He will somehow extend the grace we need in our time of need. Graham Kendrick wrote a song called “For this, I have Jesus”. It is song that talks about the hardest things in life and that our hope comes from Him. For this(you put your hurt and pain here), I have Jesus.
Ultimately, I think all of our struggles will draw us closer to God. I want to share with you my latest favorite saying. I got it out of a book I read called “Your God is Too Safe”. The author said this and I can’t stop dwelling on it, “Life isn’t fair, do the right thing”. I changed it a little, I say it this way, “Life isn’t fair, do the next right thing”. If it is any encouragement at all, let me say that each day, the best that you can, in the midst of your pain and hurt, just do the next right thing. Whatever that looks like between you and God. I think you will find Him there.
Hope that helps!
Food for Mood - The Link Between Diet and Emotional Health
by Blake Graham, B.Sc AACNEM
http://www.ProHealthNetwork.com
04-04-2008
Advertisement
Blake Graham is a clinical nutritionist specializing in integrative nutritional and environmental medicine. This article is reproduced with permission from his Nutritional Healing Newsletter at http://www.Nutritional-Healing.com.au
___________________________
If your emotional state is not what you would like it to be, the answer may lie at least partly in your diet.
At first consideration, this may seem a bizarre idea, but after taking a closer look, it makes perfect sense. Our emotional response is strongly related to our brain health and chemistry. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, are made from amino acids. These chemical pathways also require vitamins and minerals as cofactors for their normal function.
The brain is made largely of fatty acids and requires a healthy supply of other nutrients to function normally. Almost every vitamin or mineral deficiency can cause psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, low stress tolerance, etc. A large array of other dietary factors such as caffeine, allergies, alcohol and blood sugar also influence our mood.
A growing number of health professionals are now utilizing this information to improve the mood of their patients.
Nutrient deficiencies are not an all or nothing issue, as varying degrees of severity exist.
For example, while full blown scurvy is now rare, mild vitamin C deficiency is not uncommon. In the nutritional treatment of altered mood states, correcting these nutrient deficiencies is a primary initial consideration. This may consist of dietary changes and moderate nutrient supplementation.
Nutrient supplements, however, are not purely used to correct nutrient deficiencies. Using nutrients in doses considerably higher than that achievable through diet is referred to as using “pharmacological” doses. For example, high doses of vitamin B3 were shown in the 1950’s by Dr. Abram Hoffer to reduce schizophrenic symptoms. Doses of 3000 mg were used, while adults typically only need 15 mg/day.
VITAMINS & MINERALS
Before they were stopped in the 1970’s for ethical reasons, scientists used to study the effects of nutrient deficiencies by depriving individuals of specific nutrients. Psychiatric symptoms were very commonly found. For example, vitamin B1 - thiamine - deficiency was associated with irritability, depression, fearfulness, agitation and emotional instability.
Vitamins and minerals typically each have a number of different functions. For example magnesium is required by over 300 biochemical reactions in humans. Just to name a few examples, vitamins/minerals are required for the normal production of:
n Neurotransmitters,
n Hormones,
n Cellular energy,
n Antioxidants,
n DNA, and
n Digestive substances.
When these are not synthesized in optimal levels, our health and mood are subsequently affected.
Deficiencies of key vitamins and minerals are found in significant numbers of people with altered mood states. For example folate deficiency is present in 17% to 31% of major depression patients. Correcting these imbalances is in the person’s best interests.
As a secondary consideration, supplements of specific vitamins and minerals may have a pharmacological effect in improving mood. For example, in the absence of nutrient deficiencies, boosting antioxidant status via vitamins C and E, and utilizing high dose vitamin B6 supplements to enhance neurotransmitter pathways, are examples of therapeutic applications of vitamin/mineral supplements. [To read Blake Graham's summary of research linking depression and deficiencies in B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, see "The Role of Minerals and Vitamins in Mental Health."]
AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, form structural components of neurotransmitters, nucleotides, membrane structures, hormones, and many other substances. A deficiency in one or more amino acid can directly or indirectly impact on mental health by leading to a deficiency of its metabolites. For example, tyrosine is a component of dopamine and thyroid hormones.
The basic building blocks of the mood regulating neurotransmitters are referred to as the neurotransmitter precursors. Supplements of these amino acids can be used therapeutically to boost the levels of specific neurotransmitters.
Tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements can be used to boost the serotonin pathway, while tyrosine and L-Dopa are used to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.
n Tryptophan >> 5-HTP >> Serotonin
n Tyrosine >> L-Dopa >> Dopamine >> Norepinephrine
Supplements can also be used to modulate other mood regulating neurotransmitters, including endorphins, acetylcholine, and GABA [gamma-aminobutyric acid].
NOTE: These supplements should not be combined with psychiatric medications and should only be taken under the guidance of a knowledgeable health professional.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 (N3) fatty acids are a class of essential polyunsaturated fats. Well known dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish and flax seeds. The role of omega-3 fatty acids in mental health has received the attention of vast amounts of research in recent years. Omega-3 fatty acids participate in a large array of physiological actions. They:
n Are structural components of brain tissue,
n Improve brain cell membrane fluidity,
n Have anti-inflammatory properties,
n Regulate stress response,
n And participate in a vast array of other functions.
Research consistently reveals that lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with poorer mood. To date, the vast majority of research has documented that fish oil supplements reduce symptoms in almost every brain related condition it has been tested against, including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADD/ADHD and dementia.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Hypoglycemia - low blood glucose - can cause psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression, due to the reduction of glucose (blood sugar) supply to the brain and the compensatory increase in adrenaline production.
Hypoglycemia is indicated by the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms between meals and a quick reduction of symptoms after commencing a meal. [See also "Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)- a problem for many."]
CAFFEINE
In laboratory studies, large doses of caffeine consistently increase levels of anxiety, while caffeine withdrawal is also capable of producing symptoms of anxiety.
Individuals with anxiety disorders typically have increased sensitivity to the effects of caffeine and may benefit from the gradual elimination of caffeine-containing products.
On a short term basis, caffeine appears to improve mood, although it is unclear if this effect is due to the correction of temporary caffeine withdrawal or net gains in mood due to caffeine.
CELIAC DISEASE
Celiac disease is a disorder of gluten intolerance. Gluten is a class of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt [a species of wheat historically grown in Europe]. Celiac disease causes malabsorption, increased intestinal permeability (‘leaky gut’), immunological disturbances, and other complications. Studies have revealed higher rates of depression and anxiety in patients with untreated celiac disease.
Research at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in Illinois has documented that roughly 4% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia have celiac disease - and their symptoms rapidly dissipate after adoption of an appropriate gluten free diet. [The Pfeiffer Treatment Center is a not-for-profit medical research & treatment facility specializing in biochemical imbalances and mental health.]
Many people do not realize they have celiac disease and suffer the health consequences for their entire lives.
CONCLUSION
If you feel your emotional balance is off, improving your diet is one positive step you can take. You may also wish to see a health professional who works in the field of nutritional medicine, who can develop an individualized program of dietary and nutrient supplement recommendations for you. [Nutritional medicine - a branch of alternative medicine/complementary medicine - employs the principle that nutrition plays an important role in virtually every medical condition. The International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (http://www.iaacn.org) offers a number to call for a certified professional in your area .]
Nutritional therapies complement other mood enhancing therapies such as exercise and counseling/psychological therapies.
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Click the site below or copy and paste to learn some alternative ways to manage chronic pain:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/healthyliving2/stories/DN-nh_painstory_0911liv.ART.State.Edition1.424f9ed.htm
Alternative ways to manage chronic pain |
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