How Chronic Pain Makes Life’s Everyday Tasks a Challenge

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 30, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A Personal Perspective: Chronic pain, in effect, disables people from comfortably performing mundane, everyday tasks that others take for granted. 

A Personal Perspective: Chronic pain, in effect, disables people from comfortably performing mundane, everyday tasks that others take for granted. 

Leaving Pain Behind

David Hanscom MD on March 24, 2022 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

From a brain neuroplasticity perspective, trying to fix your pain reinforces it. It is critical to re-engage fully with the life you desire and move away from your pain.

From a brain neuroplasticity perspective, trying to fix your pain reinforces it. It is critical to re-engage fully with the life you desire and move away from your pain.

Failed Back Surgical Syndrome

Denis G. Patterson D.O. on March 22, 2022 in Navigating Pain Management

Back surgeries can often leave lingering pain, even if they are successful. Here are some of the most common complaints and steps for finding relief.

Back surgeries can often leave lingering pain, even if they are successful. Here are some of the most common complaints and steps for finding relief.

When Should You Consider Chiropractic Care?

Gary Wenk Ph.D. on March 21, 2022 in Your Brain on Food

Recent studies have identified the pros and cons of spinal manipulation.

Recent studies have identified the pros and cons of spinal manipulation.

Mindfulness Therapy Can Reduce Chronic Pain and Opioid Misuse

Dan Mager MSW on March 15, 2022 in Some Assembly Required

Mindfulness-based interventions for opioid misuse hadn’t been subjected to the scrutiny of a randomized clinical trial, until now.

Mindfulness-based interventions for opioid misuse hadn’t been subjected to the scrutiny of a randomized clinical trial, until now.

How Strong Must We Be in the Midst of Debilitating Pain?

Kathleen O’Shea on March 14, 2022 in So Much More Than a Headache

Do you feel like you have to always be in control when it comes to chronic pain? Sometimes, the best choice can be to give in.

Do you feel like you have to always be in control when it comes to chronic pain? Sometimes, the best choice can be to give in.

What to Do When You’re Anxious About Your Health

Rubin Khoddam Ph.D. on March 14, 2022 in The Addiction Connection

How can CBT be used for health anxiety, particularly during a pandemic? Read below and see if it is a good fit for what you are hoping to work on.

How can CBT be used for health anxiety, particularly during a pandemic? Read below and see if it is a good fit for what you are hoping to work on.

Your Body's Motto: Danger Until Proven Otherwise

David Hanscom MD on March 4, 2022 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Living creatures survive by avoiding danger and gravitating to safety. The actions are coordinated through the powerful autonomic nervous system.

Living creatures survive by avoiding danger and gravitating to safety. The actions are coordinated through the powerful autonomic nervous system.

How to Reclaim Pleasure with Endometriosis and Sexual Pain

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on March 4, 2022 in Sex Esteem

It’s time to shine a spotlight on endometriosis and sexual pain’s impact on people’s lives.

It’s time to shine a spotlight on endometriosis and sexual pain’s impact on people’s lives.

You Don’t Need to Be Meditating to Practice Mindfulness

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 3, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A Personal Perspective: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what's happening in the present moment. You can do it anywhere—lying down, sitting, even standing in line

A Personal Perspective: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what's happening in the present moment. You can do it anywhere—lying down, sitting, even standing in line

How Nostalgia Relieves Pain

Christopher Bergland on March 2, 2022 in The Athlete's Way

New brain imaging research shows how looking at nostalgic photos that evoke happy memories alleviates low-intensity pain.

New brain imaging research shows how looking at nostalgic photos that evoke happy memories alleviates low-intensity pain.

Treating Burns with Hypnosis

Ran D. Anbar M.D. on February 28, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis

Because of the many ways that hypnosis can help patients with burns, instruction in hypnosis should be part of the treatment protocol for such patients.

Because of the many ways that hypnosis can help patients with burns, instruction in hypnosis should be part of the treatment protocol for such patients.

How Psychosocial Support Can Help People Facing a Rare Disease

Kathleen R. Bogart Ph.D. on February 21, 2022 in Disability Is Diversity

People with different rare diseases experience similar mental health challenges such as depression and stigma. We can help them more efficiently by developing cross-disease support

People with different rare diseases experience similar mental health challenges such as depression and stigma. We can help them more efficiently by developing cross-disease support

New Insights on Havana Syndrome

Chris Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D. on February 18, 2022 in Heal the Mind to Heal the Body

A recent UT Southwestern symposium suggests that we're making progress in understanding and treating Havana Syndrome—but many questions remain.

A recent UT Southwestern symposium suggests that we're making progress in understanding and treating Havana Syndrome—but many questions remain.

The Link Between Chronic Illness and Loneliness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on February 15, 2022 in Chronically Me

Chronic illness can interrupt connection, leading to loneliness. Learn how to identify and mitigate this painful experience.

Chronic illness can interrupt connection, leading to loneliness. Learn how to identify and mitigate this painful experience.

How to Go Far Beyond Resignation When You're Stuck

Mitch Abblett Ph.D. on February 12, 2022 in Compassionate Warriors

Are you facing situations that are not only painful, but can't (at least yet) be changed? Learning to shift from resignation to mindful acceptance could be key.

Are you facing situations that are not only painful, but can't (at least yet) be changed? Learning to shift from resignation to mindful acceptance could be key.

How Reliable Are Articles in Peer-Review Medical Journals?

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on February 1, 2022 in This Is America

Why the U.S. spends more money on health care than other affluent countries.

Why the U.S. spends more money on health care than other affluent countries.

My Wishes for the Chronically Ill in 2022

Toni Bernhard J.D. on January 31, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A Personal Perspective: I see no higher purpose in life than to use what’s in your power to be kind and helpful and to be at peace with taking the rest as it happens.

A Personal Perspective: I see no higher purpose in life than to use what’s in your power to be kind and helpful and to be at peace with taking the rest as it happens.

Can Weight Gain Associated With Fibromyalgia Be Prevented?

Judith J. Wurtman Ph.D. on January 31, 2022 in The Antidepressant Diet

It is a no-win predicament: Food can comfort the duress of fibromyalgia, but pain sensitivity may worsen because of resultant weight gain.

It is a no-win predicament: Food can comfort the duress of fibromyalgia, but pain sensitivity may worsen because of resultant weight gain.

3 Ways We Experience Pain: Unrelenting, Manageable, and Relief

Alan Fogel Ph.D. on January 27, 2022 in Body Sense

Here are some simple ways to manage and relieve pain using our embodied self-awareness.

Here are some simple ways to manage and relieve pain using our embodied self-awareness.

Sexual Creativity With Chronic Illness

Lee Phillips Ed.D., LCSW, CST, CSCT on January 24, 2022 in Sex & Love in Chronic Illness

Want to reclaim your sexual desire? Exploring erotic play can take it to a new level.

Want to reclaim your sexual desire? Exploring erotic play can take it to a new level.

You've Just Been Diagnosed with Migraines. Now What?

Kathleen O’Shea on January 23, 2022 in So Much More Than a Headache

Has the anxiety of your recent migraine diagnosis left you unsure of where to turn? A few steps may alleviate some stress and give direction.

Has the anxiety of your recent migraine diagnosis left you unsure of where to turn? A few steps may alleviate some stress and give direction.

A New Approach to Train the Brain to Treat Chronic Pain

Dan Mager MSW on January 13, 2022 in Some Assembly Required

Is chronic pain a challenge for you? This newer treatment approach can make a substantial positive difference in your quality of life.

Is chronic pain a challenge for you? This newer treatment approach can make a substantial positive difference in your quality of life.

What Does “Anxiety” Actually Mean? 

David Hanscom MD on January 13, 2022 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Anxiety is the bodily sensation produced when you feel threatened. It describes your physiological state in threat. A major step in lowering it is separating your identity from it.

Anxiety is the bodily sensation produced when you feel threatened. It describes your physiological state in threat. A major step in lowering it is separating your identity from it.

We Miss Many Psychiatric Diagnoses

Robert C. Smith M.D. on January 8, 2022 in Patient Zero

Want to know how to better help your patients with chronic physical disorders?

Want to know how to better help your patients with chronic physical disorders?

Differentiating Fibromyalgia, Depression, and CFS

Kristen Fuller, M.D. on December 23, 2021 in Happiness Is a State of Mind

Fibromyalgia, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all very different “invisible” disorders but share similar underlying symptoms.

Fibromyalgia, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all very different “invisible” disorders but share similar underlying symptoms.

Chronic Pain: A Sore Subject

Jessica Del Pozo, Ph.D. on December 19, 2021 in Being Awake Better

Do you feel angry when someone challenges your beliefs about pain? Understand why and try an alternative; it can't hurt.

Do you feel angry when someone challenges your beliefs about pain? Understand why and try an alternative; it can't hurt.

It Is Impossible Not to Be Judgmental

David Hanscom MD on December 18, 2021 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Awareness of disruptive thought patterns allows you to separate and powerfully move past them.

Awareness of disruptive thought patterns allows you to separate and powerfully move past them.

How a Holiday Letter From the Chronically Ill Might Read

Toni Bernhard J.D. on December 17, 2021 in Turning Straw Into Gold

I’ve received several holiday cards from family and friends that include a letter catching me up their news from the past year. My holiday letter would read quite differently.

I’ve received several holiday cards from family and friends that include a letter catching me up their news from the past year. My holiday letter would read quite differently.

Acupuncture May Reduce Inflammation via Vagus Nerve Pathways

Christopher Bergland on December 15, 2021 in The Athlete's Way

For centuries, Western scientists have been trying to figure out how acupuncture works. A new study pinpoints how electroacupuncture lowers inflammation via the vagal-adrenal axis.

For centuries, Western scientists have been trying to figure out how acupuncture works. A new study pinpoints how electroacupuncture lowers inflammation via the vagal-adrenal axis.