Pets and Pain

Pets can be very therapeutic. It's a proven fact that certain animals can have a calming effect on people. They can be affectionate toward the lonely and comforting toward the hurting. Animals can bring life to a home that might otherwise be too quiet and empty. Pets can sense when you don't feel well and they can tell when you are sad or upset. Pets can be very entertaining. They can help to distract you from your pain sometimes.

I have two cats. They are like my "babies" (Smile) They can be mischievous sometimes and drive me up a wall with their bad habits, but I wouldn't trade them! The love they show me when I don't feel well means so much.

On my pain management and migraine message boards folks talk about their pets. We share a lot of laughs between us about the neat and funny things they do. Some have cats and others have puppies--I enjoy hearing about them all.

For those who are unable to have pets of their own, you might consider "adopting" a friend's pet! Visit the pet when you visit your friend. Get to know the pet so it recognizes you. Maybe you can pet-sit when your friend needs to be away. It can be very rewarding and it can help you feel better in many ways.

Do you have a special pet or two in your life? I would love to hear about them! Post a comment or join us on my Pain Management and/or Migraine message boards here on WebMD. I look forward to hearing how your little furry friends help you get through the rough times in life!

Related Topics: Video: See Spot, Feel Happy, The Pet Prescription: Is it for You?

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The Elderly: Accepting Assistance

Asking for and accepting assistance can be difficult for some folks. I remember when I had back surgery with major complications several years ago. I needed substantial assistance.

I had home health aides several times a week along with physical therapy and a visiting nurse. Having strangers come into my home and assist me in the most personal of care activities was both concerning and emotionally uncomfortable.

It was hard for me to accept help. I was used to doing everything by myself. I couldn't even bathe safely. I needed someone to assist me in and out of my tub. I had a physical therapist who helped me to move my legs through their range of motion and helped me rebuild my leg muscles. It was not easy as I suffered significant pain and spasms in my back and limited to no feeling in parts of my legs.

It was a very humbling experience and from it I gained a personal appreciation for other folks who may have shared similar experiences. I continue to have limitations and experience discomforts, but I am grateful for all I do have and all I can do. I still struggle when I have to ask for assistance with things I might have done independently years ago. But I am more patient with myself and that is good. I used to be more angry and frustrated with myself. Now, although still frustrated at times, I am more accepting and always thankful.

Related Topics: Health Care Agents: Appointing One and Being One, Caregiver: Help At Home

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Painful Family Decisions

As a nurse for many years working in long-term care, I gained a real appreciation for folks living in extended care facilities. It is not easy to have strangers caring for you -- helping you bathe, dress, prepare for meals, activities and sleep. There is no real privacy in these facilities. And, although the goal of long-term care facilities is to help people feel "at home", this is not home.

When a person lives in a facility, he must accept the schedules of that facility. Mealtimes are dictated. Foods are prepared in bulk. Bath time is scheduled during pre-determined hours. Activities are planned ahead and trips outside the facility are monitored and often include signing out and back in. Even lengths of stay away from a facility can be influenced by reimbursement guidelines. How sad and painful to lose such independence and control over your life.

Watching parents and loved ones losing their independence is not easy on family members either. Roles switch. Children begin caring for parents. Decisions to place parents in long-term care are hard decisions to make. Concern and guilt often accompany these decisions. But sometimes there is just no choice but to choose placement. Have you found yourself in this situation? My heart goes out to you.

Related Topics: Choosing Long-Term Care, Caregiving Support Group

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Journaling and the Mind-Body Connection

A cluttered mind could lead to unresolved pain. There is a very strong connection between the mind and the body. How we think does in fact affect the biochemistry inside ourself.

Preoccupation and worry require energy. The use of energy for these mind activities takes away from the energy stores that could be used for coping and healing.

Journaling can be very therapeutic. Just keeping notes on paper can be helpful. When you feel overwhelmed about a project or a task, jot it down on paper. Break it down into smaller sizes and tackle the project this way rather than seeing it as impossible as a great big whole.

Once you do, you will find the small achievements and the positive energy gained from them will be the motivation and fuel to approach the next task. Give it a try and let me know how it is working. I will watch for you on my Pain Management and Migraine boards here on WebMD.

Related Topics: What Pain Relievers Are Easy on the Stomach?, Preventing Migraines Before They Strike

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Biofeedback: A valuable tool

Biofeedback is a terrific tool to have in your pain management tool box. It is one of those tools that once learned, can help in relieve pain from many conditions. Whether it be the need to overcome muscle spasms or relieve migraine headaches, biofeedback can be very useful.

Pain is a very complex syndrome and often takes a multi-modal approach to gain relief. When one approach is ineffective, the addition of other treatment alternatives can create synergistic effects leading to better relief.

As a holistic nurse, I believe in the importance of addressing the needs of the mind, body, and the spirit. Biofeedback is one way to integrate the mind and the body. With a little practice, many people have benefited from the use of this modality. By combining the use of equipment with focused concentration, people can begin to experience changes that have been closely linked to relaxation and pain relief.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to learn biofeedback. Initially I learned it to help combat the frequent migraines and cluster headaches I endured. It was very beneficial. Then years later, I had severe back problems with incredible muscle spasms. And I asked for a refresher so I could use this to help combat the spasms. It was a great learning experience for me.

I had injuries that left my right side weak. Walking with a cane led to my development of an abnormal posture. This caused certain muscles to become lazy while others took over the extra work. The result was exhausted and irritable muscles. By using the biofeedback equipment, I was able to identify what positions were most relaxing for my muscles. By learning to maintain these postures and positions I was able to achieve comfort and relaxation in the muscles. Doing so provided an opportunity for the inflammation and swelling of the muscles to resolve and the spasms to subside.

Be sure to visit WebMD's new Integrative Medicine Center to learn more about biofeedback and other alternatives to traditional pain treatments, including biofeedback.

Related Topcis: The Many Styles of Yoga, Laughter Heals

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The Elderly and Independence

Recently I have had the opportunity to think about some of the concerns of folks in their retirement years and older. Many still live quite independently. They may have some chronic diseases and limitations but many still live alone. And that is the way they want it.

I can appreciate the fears they may have about the day they may no longer be able to live as they do now. The fear of losing a home and having to make other living arrangements due to physical limitations can be overwhelming concerns for some folks and it can affect healthcare decisions.

If someone has aches and pains they may try to hide them so others won't notice their condition. Others may hesitate to be seen and evaluated for fear they may need hospitalization and prolonged treatment. Living accommodations are often tied to independence.

In some places, there are limits placed on the level of supportive care a person can have and continue to rent. Once a person reaches a particular level of care, they may have to move into a more assistive living arrangement. This can be traumatic and emotionally painful for elders who may already live on limited budgets made up of social security, small pensions, limited savings, and Medicare.

Fear of the unknown can be incredible. Episodes of confusion can make simple tasks challenging. Steps necessary to determine alternatives, locate potential places, and further steps needed to gain acceptance into one can be overwhelming tasks that may require assistance of family or close friends.

For others who are fortunate to live in their own home, the fear and pain of losing everything they ever worked for to pay for assistive living or long term health care can be devastating. It is very difficult and stressful to say the least. My heart goes out to these folks and their families.

Related Topics: Baby Boomers: A New Way to Grow Old, Spouse's Illness Can Be Deadly To You

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Seasonal Transitions

Changing seasons can be a time of increased headaches as well as other aches and pains. As barometric pressure changes occur many of us feel it in the form of head pressure or headaches. And, if we have painful joints they can also give us grief.

Being proactive might be a good thing! Here are some things you might try during seasonal transitions when the potential for increased pain and discomfort are high:

• Make sure you get enough rest.
• Pace yourself. Try not to overdo.
• Keep medicine handy so you have what you need if you need it.
• Be proactive. If you need to perform a strenuous task or engage in prolonged activity, consider taking a small dose of medication prior to the event. This may help you to avoid the onset of more severe symptoms.
• If you have a heating pad make sure it is handy and in good working order.
• Indulge in some nice bubble bath or aromatherapy candles to keep near by and enjoy them. Don't wait until you are in pain to enjoy a nice warm treat!
• Think about using progressive relaxation exercises and imagery to help you keep stress under control and decrease pain.

Hopefully the transition to spring will be mild and we won't suffer too many episodes of pain and discomfort. Considering these tips might help us all to maintain some control over how we feel during this time of weather fluctuations and rapid transitions.

Related Topics: Solutions for Better Sleep, Pain Management Health Center

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Kindly Comments!

When reading conversations and comments on website message boards and blogs, it is not uncommon to see differences of opinion. As people go through life, their experiences, beliefs and values are shaped by experiences of their past. Culture and society also play an important role in shaping the views of its people. In addition, certain topics have been historically labelled as controversial. These include politics and religion. But during recent years, other topics have joined these ranks - one of which is alternative medicine.

As the focus in our country continues to shift toward health and wellness, and as people continue to explore non-medicinal alternatives for pain relief and self-improvement, there are bound to be differences of opinion on what may or may not be effective or beneficial.

Much of this may relate to the fact that in areas of pain and pain management, among other areas, subjectivity is significant. Experiences are individual even though similar.

It is important for people to understand that sharing views and opinions is a great thing. However, sharing criticisms and judgements of others are not constructive practices. Quite often people get hurt when people speak out against others. When language breaks down into swear words and vulgarity, people get offended. It is ok to disagree and share differing points of view. That is what makes conversations interesting and thought provoking. I encourage folks to continue sharing their thoughts and opinions, but please be considerate of how you do so. That way no one gets hurt!

Related Topics: Alternative vs. Conventional Medicine (Commentary), Top 10 Health Stories of 2005

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