What is Pain? “an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” World Health Organization definition. Even though almost every human being who has ever lived has felt pain, … Continue reading →
People with chronic mechanical neck or back pain, whiplash associated disorders, complex regional pain, headache, chronic post-traumatic pain, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia constitute the majority of those I see my specialized practice. These categories of pain may overlap. They are … Continue reading →
There was a comment on our site that mentioned using a pain log to keep track of one’s pain. The idea is to rate one’s pain daily, weekly or at some other interval in order to see if there is … Continue reading →
In our group sessions we practice various forms of exercise ranging from holding postures to slow, gentle movements and walking. Most people who attend the program, especially newer participants, want to do well and try hard to do the exercises … Continue reading →
We do not teach meditation as a spiritual practice and there are no spiritual teachings as part of our pain group sessions. However, meditation and spiritual practice have long been intertwined in many belief systems. It may be useful to … Continue reading →
We spend a lot of time on meditation in our chronic pain group sessions and often talk about the importance of regular practice. It is a core element of our program and we feel it is an essential part of … Continue reading →
On the home page of this website we say pain management is a skill. It’s a strong statement. Following such a remark a couple of obvious questions include: what do we really mean and how can one acquire this skill? … Continue reading →
A while ago, in one of our sessions, I pointed out that no matter what, we all have good days and bad. Some days the pain is so bad that getting out of bed is the biggest challenge you may … Continue reading →
In the research literature on pain and online forums devoted to pain research and treatment, questions about the relationship between mind and body are often raised. Universities offer degrees in cognitive neurosciences and courses in psychophysiology, underlining our increasing understanding … Continue reading →
If I try a form of treatment and my pain gets better I’ll probably believe the treatment worked. But if I tell you the treatment worked you have only my word for it. Neither of us know for certain if … Continue reading →
In my last post I suggested patients might benefit from new ways of studying chronic pain. When I look at what is available in the popular press as well as the scientific literature, it feels like we are caught in … Continue reading →
Pain is not a thing. It is a feeling. Feelings are the result of something. We feel pain when complex processes involving the nervous system, endocrine system and other biological systems are stimulated by trauma and disease. Nevertheless we often … Continue reading →
If pain is not a mystery, why are you reading this? I know we live in an age of medical wonders. We transplant organs and make artificial joints. Technology allows us see inside the body with MRI, CT and other … Continue reading →
“I cried when I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” Some of my patients have told me that knowing others have worse problems than their own helps them put their pain into perspective and … Continue reading →
Those of you who come to our group sessions know that Eric and I can talk – a lot. As if that wasn’t enough, we talk a lot with each other about the same things we discuss in the group … Continue reading →
The point of scientific research is to help us understand how the world works. It relies on figuring out ways to test theories about such things as pain and how to treat it. It relies on logic and reason. The … Continue reading →
An epidural injection involves inserting a needle into the back between 2 vertebrae. The needle can be advanced to the space between a long spinal ligament (the Ligamentum Flavum) and the tough material that lines the spinal canal (called the … Continue reading →
Every intervention for pain may carry some risks and benefits. They key in deciding whether to try some new therapy is having knowledge of your chances of getting relief vs. your chance of having a bad reaction. Given that there … Continue reading →
A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic close to a nerve. The drug attaches to the nerve and blocks any nerve signals travelling to or from the brain. The blockage occurs where the needle is inserted. Depending on … Continue reading →
Jan Carstoniu (J) responds to a question from a participant (P) during one of our sessions. This was condensed and edited from an audio recording. P: I have a question. Last week you and I spoke about injections that people … Continue reading →