How This Site Can Help
Here are a few observations gleaned from my many years of treating chronic-pain patients: All patients who complain of pain actually have pain, although it may occasionally seem bizarre in its manifestation. Patients commonly name stress as the main factor that precipitated their crisis. I have found that a simple regimen of electrotherapy, acupuncture, relaxation, stress release, and exercise can bring great relief to patients. In some cases, patients have gained complete relief from their pain. In others, the pain changed and became more bearable, or the patient’s coping strategies and quality of life improved.
My conclusion is, therefore, that blocking pain, relieving anxiety, releasing emotions, and improving pain-free movements will help many patients on the road to pain relief. Treatments should, however, be tailored to the individual, and each person should be given the opportunity to try different treatments until one is found that helps his or her specific condition. Trial and error may seem haphazard, yet if it is applied systematically the right treatment will emerge and relief will be obtained. Some patients will respond to simple methods after many sophisticated, time-consuming, and expensive approaches have been tried, but others may require a “search party”!
The early part of the site discusses acute and chronic pain, with emphasis on factors that may increase pain and those that may improve the condition. Many of these factors depend on the patient. Therefore, it is essential for the patient to understand his or her own role in managing pain. Pain management is a team effort between patient and therapist, who work together to arrive at a satisfactory and, ideally, successful solution.
The later posts provide information on acupuncture, electric currents, and exercise. Instruction is provided on managing pain using electric currents and other modalities, and advice is given on coping strategies and exercise techniques for specific situations.
I hope that through knowledge about their condition and about the range of therapeutic options available, patients will be transformed from passive recipients of treatment to empowered participants. Such a conversion can only help patients in their efforts to achieve the best possible result for their particular condition.