Deal with Pain

How we deal with pain affects the quality of our life. Pain comes in many forms including physical and emotional.

Pain’s probably the number one reason we seek help. Driving us to search for solutions to alleviate our suffering and to help deal with pain, we’ll often consult our healthcare provider, explore therapies, and perhaps connect with a support group.

How We Deal with Pain is Changing

Over the past 20 years, researchers have been exploring various strategies to help us manage pain and in particular chronic pain. Furthermore, evidence supports a variety of complementary approaches to help manage painful conditions. Specifically, research studies support good safety records for the following complementary approaches to help reduce pain’s psychological and/or physical effects.

• massage
• meditation
• acupuncture
• hypnosis
• yoga
• tai chi / qigong
• spinal manipulation
• music based interventions

My Physical Pain Story

We all have a story. Here’s mine. I grow tumors in my leg. Diagnosed in 2004, my condition is rare. It’s called TGCT or Giant Cell Tumors . Formerly, it’s known as PVNS which is pigmented villonodular synovitis.

In addition to limiting space in my knee joint, the tumors create an acidic environment that eats at the bones that form my knee joint. Over the years, I’ve managed chronic, painful, and debilitating inflammation that has crippled me.

My ability to walk is a testimony to the practices that I teach. Through steady dedication and a lot of patience, thankfully, I am off of crutches and a cane. As well, I no longer have to scoot on my bottom to ascend and descend stairs. Currently, I enjoy an active lifestyle and a wide variety of movements.

My Emotional Pain Story

I like to joke that none of us get through life without heartbreak especially if we live with an intention to Love. During some of the most significantly emotionally painful times of my life, I have also felt a relationship to the physical pain in my leg.

In short, when I am emotionally suffering, my leg will tend to flare up, too. I am not alone in recognizing the connection between my emotional state and an increase in physical pain. Increasing our emotional wellness helps us navigate life with a bit more ease which includes the following components.

• Cope with Loss
• Build Resilience
• Be Mindful
• Reduce Stress
• Strengthen Social Connections
• Get Quality Sleep

How I’ve been Dealing with Pain

Over the years, I’ve learned strategies for how to relieve my constant pain. As well, I discovered the connection between diet and exercise to help me deal with my pain.

While I used to compete in sprint triathlons, I now enjoy riding my bike at a more leisurely pace. As well, instead of jogging, I now enjoy brisk walking on land and water fitness in the pool. I have found that diversifying my approach to movement has helped me to feel better. From CoreAlign to yoga therapy and Pilates on equipment, I practice daily what I teach.

As well, I am grateful for senior movement and meditation teachers like Jenny Otto, Dr. Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine, John and Betty Charping, Eric Franklin, and Nora St. John who’ve helped me understand how to help myself.

Get Out of Pain

I’ll be honest, it is a disciplined path to get out of pain and return to optimal function. Yet, I know if I can do it, you can, too.

And, I’ll really tell you the honest truth. I still have pain. I still have limited mobility.

So, what’s changed? My approach to my pain and disability. And, that change of my mind, changed everything. When not playing in my beach hometown, you’ll find me off on adventures from hiking in mountains to scrambling through urban centers to marveling at the beauty in our world.

There’s no secrets you have to learn or exclusive tips or tricks. All you have to learn is more about you. And, I am here to help. I remain passionate about helping others learn more about how our bodies work building a brain / body bridge.

Enjoy this Yoga Practice

Feel better with a yoga practice using a stable chair.
You’ll also need a yoga strap (a belt or tie will suffice).

Say “Yes” to Life to Deal with Pain

If anything, I would love for you to share a passion for life. Join me in saying “yes” to life as we accept what we can not change while fully pressing the envelope of our unlimited potential.

I hope you’ll join me at one of my offerings. You will feel the zest and zing of my teaching because I truly do practice what I preach.