Today’s the last day to submit your best post for the December Pain-Blog Carnival.  Look for the carnival next Monday, 12/31!

Merry Christmas to those of you who’ll celebrate tomorrow!

Starting Monday’s in January, we’ll look at pain management techniques and how to help yourself use those that work.  We’ll review:

• breathing exercises
• relaxation exercises
• visualization
• guided imagery
• techniques like pacing to prevent pain

Think of it as a your at-home tutorial in pain management!!

As we review techniques, we’ll also look at what works to get yourself to use beneficial techniques regularly.  Many people with pain say they know a lot of pain management techniques, but don’t use them often enough.  Did you know it takes about a month for a behavior to become a habit.  You can learn some ways to support yourself to use the pain management techniques that work for you.

Also in the new year, we’ll be having quite a few fun contests.  I have a collection of fun prizes for you, so stay tuned.  (If your company would like to sponsor a contest or supply a prize, just let me know.)