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Pain
Lessons: Learning to Heal by Ellie O'Steen, LMT Introduction Introducing Ellie O'Steen Hello!
My information comes from various sources: 1) education in my field of muscle therapy 2) experience in working in chronic pain clinics for 11 years 3) various texts and literature 4) personal experience in living with chronic pain I was licensed in 1984 and have been privileged to have worked eleven years. I have worked with excellent hands-on-oriented physical therapists, medical doctors and many, many patients. Our clinic was hospital-based and patients were enrolled in the program for 6 weeks. They were taught strategies to help them cope with their condition. They were taught stretching and exercise techniques in our daily classes. They were helped from a multi-disciplinary approach i.e. through group therapy, psychological counselling, nutritional advice, physical therapy, lectures, biofeedback, and hands-on massage sessions. Each week in Staff Meeting, each patient's case would be discussed among the therapist, neurologists, psychologist, case adjuster and others who might be involved with the patient. Patient compliance, objectives and/or specific problems were reviewed. Now, I 'hear' some of you cringing as you read the words "counselling and group therapy". Don't! Do NOT discount the strong emotional and psychological factors of coping connected with chronic pain!!! Perhaps it would help to look upon chronic pain like a person would look at their lifestyle changing from diabetes. You didn't choose it but you have it and you have to learn how to live with it. Use this illustration when you encounter that person who doesn't understand the basis of your condition and tries to slough it off as "being all in your head". It's not; it's real! The emotional/psychological/spiritual factors involved with chronic pain are part of the growth process of living and everybody has to deal with these. Many times this can be the most important factor in getting a handle on living and coping. In my lectures, I have seen 'the light come on' in some patients as they began to recognize that they could do something to help themselves. It's a grand feeling to watch someone unfold over a 6 weeks period and leave the clinic with goals of management and a true belief that they can get on with their life!! And, to see them 3, 6 months later still coping well and some even working. They just needed the tools to do the job. That's what we hope to put in YOUR hands over these next few weeks. The material I will present to you will include bits of information that you need to "chew on", mull over, digest and apply to your particular situation and lifestyle. There are no pat answers; no easy answers; no set time frame! Some of the goals might be difficult to reach. It takes consistency and determination to reach your goals. It is tremendously helpful if you have a 'cheering section' (i.e. friend or family member) to spur you on & encourage you. When you physically can't do some things on a given day....DON'T GIVE UP! You still have the use of your mind (or you wouldn't be reading this) and you CAN use visualization to imagine the goal you are working towards. I know...I know...you find it hard to believe that just visualizing something is as good as doing it but talking to any top-notch athlete or musician will make you aware that visualization works. Don't discount it! DISCLAIMER: I am only a small part of the medical healthcare profession and versed in my field. Your physician is the one to ask about medical questions you may have relating to your problems. I share what I have personally learned in my years of living with chronic pain plus what has been taught to me through various workshops and seminars required in my profession. I may mention specific products that have worked for me and I receive NO financial compensation from anyone in anyway. I mention books and literature I would suggest for your own education and enhancement. I welcome any suggestions of books/literature you have read as none of us can read it all! At present, I have my own massage therapy practice so I do not have much 'free' time to answer many personal questions but may try to answer a select few of specific information requested, as time and energy allow. Questions regarding Massage Therapists in your area may be checked out on the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) web site at www.amtamassage.org or from your local telephone directory. Never hesitate to ask for the MT's license number and/or credentials. Most states have licensing requirements and a number where you can inquire about their business background. Your public library is a w e a l t h of information for excellent books about chronic pain, FMS, CFS, arthritis, RA, etc. Check it out! I was happily amazed at the increase of good books just over the past 4-5 years. Ellie
O'Steen, L.M.T. I have had people tell me that I "look like I have it all together" ! Far from it!! I don't want any of our web-mates to get that idea. As I write this a few weeks prior to putting the lessons on the web page, I am dealing with hurting knees, fatigue, lack of quality sleep, a swollen lymph node in my neck, sweating and just plain feeling yukky. It's a struggle. I just want to curl up in a ball and let the day go by. I WILL pace myself today as I have a Neighborhood Watch meeting to run tonight plus family coming tomorrow evening. I want to enjoy these events as much as possible so I must spend my energy wisely, just as you do. It's frustrating as there are still a number of things I wanted to do today but........ I, too, have to deal with being misunderstood from those who just don't understand the nature of this disease and, it is troubling. I struggle with the guilt that if I just tried harder maybe I could muster up the energy. Or, if I just 'put my mind to it' the symptoms of over-extending would 'go away' . It hurts & I understand your hurt when you share your feeling. Some of you deal with worse symptoms depending where you body condition is. I empathize with you. Most diseases will have periods of waxing and waning and we can't always predict these periods. As I looked at my devotional calendar here on my desk last night, I read this.... "Those who have known a problem first hand are usually better able to help others walking through the same difficulty." II Corinthians 1:3,4 NIV "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who.....comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble......with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." I think that says it all....... Hang in there! Ellie |
