Understanding and improving our stress response to reduce pain and suffering
Having lived with chronic pain from dystonia for over 20 years, I spent most of that time focused on treating the physical symptoms. This has been very important and...
How we can relate more effectively to our pain
If you live with any form of pain, I’m hoping the following information will be of help. Many of us look at pain the wrong way that exacerbates our...
They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know: Learning to Manage Judgement and Criticism from Others When Living with a Chronic and Debilitating Condition
In my last blog, I talked about the difficulty being understood by others when living with a chronic health condition and the challenges that come with it. You can...
Perspective on pain and suffering – Is it all in our head? Powerful words from a fellow patient
As many of you know, I have lived with a painful neurological movement disorder called dystonia for the past 22 years. Utilizing different treatments, therapies, extensive self-care and plenty...
What’s the best thing we can do when we are in pain?
In a word, nothing. In two words, don’t panic. In two other words that are the same but are more positive and action oriented…be calm. Let me explain…when we...
How do we move beyond pain and suffering?
We have all at one time or another experienced pain and suffering of some kind. I sure have, living with dystonia for over 20 years, the first 5 of...
Managing an overly stimulating environment to protect our health
The other day I read a post in a dystonia support group that is similar to something I see and hear very often. I’m sure you have as well,...
The power of our inner dialogue on our health
I believe very strongly in the power of thoughts and words as it relates to my health. I say this because I have lived with a painful chronic neurological...
Self-nurturing for better health: My recovery from a recent breakdown
As many of you know reading this, I have lived with a chronic neurological movement disorder called dystonia, as well as chronic pain, for over 20 years. I use...
We have to stop beating ourselves up when we are in pain
Chronic pain reminds me of a bully that picks on kids in the schoolyard every day. Like the bully, chronic pain does not follow any rules and after multiple...
Are you trying to be positive when you’re miserable? Don’t be. Choose honesty instead
I often hear people with pain and other chronic health conditions say something like the following: “I am really struggling right now and I feel that talking about how...
What can we do to find peace when we are struggling?
If you are struggling with anything in life, a question to ask yourself is, “what can I do on a daily basis that puts me in a position to...
Isolating ourselves to feel less alone
This may sound like a strange title so let me explain. I live with a health condition called dystonia, which is a neurological movement disorder. It is the third...
