A recent study in the journal Surgical Neurology recommended that MRI’s be done while the patient is in the position that causes symptoms.  This is helpful advice.  MRI’s are usually done while the patient is lying down.  Lying down takes stress off the spine and changes the positions of spinal structures, sometime making things look normal […]

A reader, Heidi, recently asked about time management and pain.  I invited Jeisea of CRPS-RSD A Better Life to share her thoughts about this topic.

Getting the right balance between doing pain management therapy and family, work or social activities is almost like walking a tightrope for people with chronic pain.  One of the hardest things […]

Today’s the deadline for your April Pain-Blog Carnival submission.
A reader, Lynn, writes “I would be interested in a feature related to multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.  Thank you for the empowerment and humanity your website provides – as always, knowledge is power.”
Knowledge can indeed be powerful to help people understand, manage and cope with their illnesses.  I’m […]

CRPS-RSD A Better Life recently posted a link to a discussion of mirror therapy by Dr. Eric Altschuler of UMDNJ.  I recently spoke with Dr. Altschuler, who is researching mirror therapy for pain disorders, including RSD, stroke rehabilitation, and other conditions.

As I’ve said before, I think these types of approaches are one of the most […]

Last week we looked at why people with pain disorders have trouble sleeping.  Today we’ll look at how you can improve your sleep.

9 ways to get better sleep
Next week will be the last post in this series.  We’ll have a discussion next Monday about how you did with this series.  Was it helpful?  Anything confusing?  Are you continuing […]

A recent study showed that mindfulness exercises can significantly help low back pain in older adults.
8 sessions of training in mindfulness, which is “awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment by moment,” were given to older adults with chronic low back pain.  […]

In our Monday Pain Management Classes, we’ve reviewed exercises such as meditation, breathing and relaxation.  Tranquility is Yours is a website I’ve recently come across that has these types of exercises, as well as videos of beautiful, natural places.  I especially liked their videos of the beach, waterfall, clouds, moon, and sunset.  Enjoy!

The deadline for […]

One of the challenges that pain disorders can cause is poor sleep.  Why?  Take a look at this page of How to Cope with Pain to find out. 
 
Next Monday, we’ll look at what you can do to improve your sleep.  Other articles in this series:

How to change a habit, part 1
How to change a habit, […]

A reader, Tracy, asked about computer use and pain.  In this series of 3 articles, we’ll look at this issue.
In the previous 2 posts in this series, we’ve looked at:

How computer use can cause pain through poor posture and repetitive movements, and
What good posture is for computer use

Today we’ll look at what exercises can prevent […]

A reader, Tracy, asked about computer use and pain.  In this series of 3 articles, we’ll look at this issue.
Last week we looked at how computer use can cause pain, through poor posture and repetitive movements.  Today we’ll look at what good posture is for computer use.
I wrote about this topic recently at Working with […]