A place to buy Ice Pack Wraps

Hi Everyone,

I found a site that sells ice packs. Get your gel packs, cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat your leg pain, elbow joint pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, or arthritis pain! I have used cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat my pain. They were first introduced to me during my medical rehabilitation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. Here is the link and a coupon code that is available until May 9, 2013:

http://www.pjtra.com/t/RT9GSkVFSD9LS0lGST9GQ0hC
10% off your IceWraps.net purchase with coupon code SPRING10! Expires 5/9/13. 

I hope and pray you feel good today. Try the cold and hot therapy options. I personally like the hot therapy option.

Alternative Pain Management

Hello Everybody,

What is a TENS UNIT? A T.E.N. unit stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. During my rehabilitation the physical therapist introduced the use of a tens unit. The unit works to alleviate pain by sending mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath. The unit is lightweight and easy to carry. I was able to attach the unit to my belt or place it within a front pocket of a sweater, jacket, or pants. These portable units are very convenient and an effective way of managing pain. The units are battery operated and rechargeable.

These units are not a permanent solution for chronic pain. The muscle stimulator is for customized muscle rehabilitation and chronic and acute radiating pain relief. The tens units are used in parallel with physical therapy and not a substitute for regimented physical rehabilitation therapy. The tens units ease pain and sometimes result in less use of drugs.

The tens unit is prescribed by the pain management doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. The nurse or physical/occupational therapist explains the proper use of the tens unit. Continual use of the unit will require extra electrode pads, electrode conductive preparation spray (can use alcohol wipes), and battery and battery charger. Units and accessories are available via the Internet or at a medical supply retail store. Quality electrode pads contain gels with non-irritating gels that are sticky providing comfort, reusability, and performance. You can find a unit, the LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator.

Talk to your doctor about obtaining a TENS UNIT. Using the unit does enable you to decrease the use of medication. It is an alternative, safe, non-addictive, and effective treatment for chronic pain.

I hope and pray you are able to control your fatigue and pain.

Do you suffer from back pain?

Hello Everyone,

Today I want to discuss back pain, almost everyone experiences back pain, some experience chronic back pain. Completing simple tasks, lifting, and simple movements is extremely difficult and painful if you suffer from chronic back pain. Individuals that have never suffered from back pain have no idea how blessed they are taking life for granted and forgetting about people with mobility challenges. I would like to take a pro-active approach towards raising awareness on the topic of different levels of pain, specifically back pain.

My neighbor suffers from muscle spasms that contribute to her back pain. Our back bears most of the weight of the body therefore any strained muscles and prolonged pressure on the joints and ligaments often causes pain in this part of the body. Back pain can occur due to stress, kidney stones, muscle spasms, bones fractures, and many other reasons. The intense pain in the back spreading down the legs causing tingling and numbness on other parts of the body can be crippling.

The general health and physical function of patients with chronic back pain makes it difficult to live an active lifestyle. People suffering from back pain experience different levels of pain depending on the type of injury that occurred. Once you learn and understand the underlying cause of back pain, you can seek the proper treatment. There are many types of problems that can cause back pain consider grabbing a copy of the back pain book, and learn about different ways of dealing with back pain. The best way to help yourself and others is by seeking knowledge and discovering alternative treatments for the cause of pain, whether it is physical or mental.

I hope and pray you have a pain and fatigue free day.

How our Body Controls Pain

Hello Everyone,

I have not been feeling very well lately so my posts are not very long. I do hope they have been helpful. Here is some information on how our body controls pain:

Pain signals travel through a system of nerves in your brain and spinal cord. Sometimes your body tries to provide relief by producing chemicals that help block pain signals. These chemicals are called endorphins. They are morphine-like painkilling substances that decrease the pain sensation. Keep in mind that there are different factors, including our thoughts and emotions that cause the body to produce endorphins.

Let me give you an example, a Mother is driving her child to school and is in a sudden car accident, she is so worried about her child that she does not even notice she has a broken wrist, arm, etc. The concern for her child has caused the natural release of endorphins, which block the pain signal.

Our body also produces endorphins in response to external factors, such as medicine. Codeine is one example of a powerful pain-blocking medication. Other external pain control methods used are heat and cold treatments that can stimulate the body to either release endorphins or block pain signals in other ways.

You ask, what are endorphins? Any of a group of peptide hormones that bind to opiate receptors and are found mainly in the brain. Endorphins reduce the sensation of pain and affect emotions.

I want you to start thinking of ways to "Manage Your Pain". Try thinking of pain as a signal to take a positive action rather than an ordeal you have to deal with.

The first step is to learn to manage the pain and take some positive actions to counter the pain. We have to learn to take control of the pain in order to help ourselves. Our mind plays an important role in how we feel pain and respond to illness. Some of use feel helpless and depressed, admit it, I have felt these emotions. It is understandable, however, we have to take control of these emotions.

These emotions cause people to decreased activity levels, cause low self-esteem and increased pain. This is an example of how we can use Cognitive Behavior Therapy to help us build a sense of personal control by adjusting our thoughts and actions.

So what is it I am trying to communicate?

1). Keep a positive attitude

2). Do not focus on pain

3). Practice positive self-talk

4). Change your pain habits

5). Create a pain management plan

6). Take your medicines wisely

I am working on a pamphlet to help you manage your pain. As soon as I have completed it, I will add it so you can download it.

Hang in there!

I hope and pray that is information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Does anyone suffer from swollen hands, legs, etc.?

Hello,

I thought I would write up some tips for those people that suffer from swollen hands, legs, etc. Due to this illness and even prior to it, I suffered from swollen hands and feet. These are some of the things I did that helped me:

1). When you go walking, take your rings off and wear looser tennis shoes.
2). Reduce your salt intake.
3). Drink sport drinks that help replace electrolytes, but not too much.
4). Drink water, forget about sodas and carbonated drinks.
5). Try moving your arms, hands, feet and legs around to help the circulation. I know some people cannot exercise, but try simple stretching and just swing your arms and make a fist with your hand, then spread your fingers open. Lift your legs and twist your feet around.
6). Massages also help circulation.

Basically watch your diet and drink intake. It makes a big difference.



I pray and hope this post has helped someone today.

Aromatherapy and your body

The active ingredients of essential oils can ease muscle tension, improve your mood, boost your circulation and clear respiratory problems such as hay fever, stuffy noses and sore throats. By rubbing your oils over or onto the affected area, you will begin to feel their healing effects almost immediately.

TO EASE HAY FEVER:
Chamomile
Eucalyptus

TO RELAX SORE ACHING MUSCLES:
Frankincense
Ginger
Sweet marjoram
Rosemary

TO EASE STOMACH/PERIOD PAINS:
Aniseed
Clary sage
Juniper berry
Lavender
Marjoram

TO EASE STOMACH UPSETS:
Ginger
Mandarin
Peppermint

TO HELP OIL SKIN:
Cypress
Lemon
Mandarin
Tea tree (also good for acne)

TO EASE SORE THROAT:
Frankincense
Jasmine
Sandalwood
Tea tree

TO EASE ECZEMA:
Chamomile
Geranium
Juniper berry
Lavender

TO IMPROVE CELLULITE:
Juniper berry
Geranium
Rosemary

TO EASE HEADACHES:
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary

FOR HAIR:
Cedar wood
Cypress (for oily hair)
Rosemary (for dry hair)
Tea tree (for dandruff)

TO CLEAR BLOCKED NOSE:
Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Rosemary

A quick and easy way to get the benefits of essential oils is to add a few drops to your usual body lotion or moisturizer and then rub it into the affected area.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Rubbing healing oils into your skin allows their active ingredients to pass directly into the tissues of the affected area, while healing massage strokes also work to alleviate pain and stiffness, as well as improving circulation.

I hope and pray that this information has helped someone today. Have a pain free day.

Checklist: 11 Ways to Ensure Proper Pain Management

• Don't wait until chronic pain is too severe to treat. Pain is easier to prevent than treat. Begin to understand the kinds of medications that you might take if you begin to have pain.

• Talk with your physician about your concerns for good pain care. Be assertive, and tell your doctor you will not tolerate under-treated pain.

• Demand comfort care in your advance directive. Be clear and assertive.

• Ask a family member or friend to be your advocate if you cannot speak for yourself. Keep this person informed of your pain.

• Maintain a pain record. Note location, time of day, severity, and what relieved the pain. Share with your doctor or nurse.

• If you're receiving hospice care, identify your pain level for the nurse at each visit.

• Understand your doctor's orders for your pain medication. Make sure you understand the frequency, dose and type of medication. If you have questions, ask them.

• Insist that you have enough pain medication for weekends or holidays.

• Get the names and phone numbers of any doctors covering for your physician.

• If you are hospitalized and your pain is not being treated, ask to speak to the medical director or nursing supervisor.

• For end-of-life pain, expect medication amounts to increase rapidly.

I hope and pray that this post has helped someone today.

Glossary: Pain Management

addiction: a term referring to compulsive drug use, psychological dependence and continuing use despite harm. Addiction is frequently and incorrectly equated with physical dependence and withdrawal. Physical dependence, not addiction, is an expected result of opioid use.

chronic pain: a persistent state of pain whereby the cause of the pain cannot be removed. Chronic pain is often associated with long-term incurable or intractable medical conditions or disease.

opiate: drugs whose origin is the opium poppy, including codeine and morphine.

opioid: a scientific term denoting both natural (codeine, morphine) and synthetic (methadone, fentanyl) drugs. A type of medication related to opium. Opioid's are strong analgesics.

palliative care: sometimes referred to as comfort care or hospice care, palliative care is a comprehensive approach to treating serious illness with a focus on keeping dying patients comfortable through pain control and addressing psychological, social and spiritual concerns, instead of treating the disease or condition.

terminal illness: a condition that is incurable and irreversible.

I hope and pray that this information has helped someone today.

Praying Is A Great Way to Heal

May today there be peace that surpasses all understanding within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you remember the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....

May you be content knowing you are a loved child of God.

Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love without restraint.

It is there for each and every one of us. May the Good and God of each day be the meditations of your thoughts.

I hope and pray that this post will help someone today.