Pain Relief @ MindSay

Today was pretty stressful at work, and then I sat hunched over bingo cards with some friends tonight, but overall, I think I may be seeing the light toward some relief from my chronic pain.  I went for three consecutive visits this week and I'm coming off the soreness from being adjusted, but I can feel a difference in my flexibility and in the amount of tension and pain in my back, shoulders and neck.

Thank God!  And thank my chiropractor, Dr. D.!  For the first time in a long time I am hopeful that I can reverse this fibromyalgia -- or if not that, then at least find a way to live without a background of constant aching and stiffness.

This weekend I'll play a bit on my Total Gym and do some good stretching.  It's been a good week, and I can't remember when the last time I had one. :)

I do not do too many recomendations, but I have seen a SIGNIFICANT change in my pain level in my sitbone/left leg since taking this product, and its only been 1 week!  I saw the change over a cple of days.. I have gone from a constant burning pressure pain in my sitbone ( Ischeal Tuberosity) on a level of 6-8 scale of 1-10 (10 being worse pain ever) to currently as I sit here a level of 2-3/10. That to me is amazing. I cant wait til we can afford for me to go back to the acupuncturist and combine the 2.. woot!

 

I did read about this product months ago, and thought ..oh hogwash! But when Mark hurt himself, I thought.. ok.. buy 2 get 1 free, 80 bucks for it all I think it was...what did I have to lose, that was basically one acupuncture or massage session. So, I ordered it. It arrived very fast.

 

Anyhow, here is the info on the product and the linkage:

 

http://www.backreliefelite.com/

 

The Exclusive Blend Of Natural Ingredients Is What Makes Back Relief Elite™ So Effective

Bromelain is the name of a group of powerful protein-digesting, or proteolytic, enzymes that are found in the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Discovered in 1957, and widely studied since then, bromelain is particularly useful for reducing muscle and tissue inflammation and as a digestive aid. Supplements are made from enzymes found in the pineapple stem. Bromelain is a natural blood thinner and anti-inflammatory. It works by breaking down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that can impede good circulation and prevent tissues from draining properly. Bromelain also blocks the production of compounds that can cause swelling and pain. When inflammation is reduced, blood can move more easily to a traumatized area, easing pain and speeding healing.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is popularly referred to as the body's natural tranquilizer. It is an amino acid produced in the brain. It acts as a neurotransmitter--a chemical that fosters communication between nerve cells--and helps to keep stress-related nerve impulses at bay. This relieves the intensity of back pain. It may also have a role to play in preventing seizures.

Glucosamine is a sugar produced in the body and found in small amounts of foods. It plays an important role in maintaining cartilage, the gel-like material that cushions joints. Glucosamine helps to relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling. Back pain sufferers report improvements with glucosamine supplements as well, as do individuals with other types of joint injuries. Some 70 countries around the world sanction glucosamine as a treatment for individuals with mild to moderately severe pain. Glucosamine appears to protect and strengthen the cartilage around joints, particularly in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. In so doing, it may help to prevent further joint damage. And while it can do little to actually restore cartilage that has completely worn away--or reverse joint damage that has already occurred--glucosamine appears to slow the development of mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis. Traditional NSAIDs prescribed for arthritis, in contrast, actually impair the body's cartilage-building capacity. This makes Glucosamine a wonderful addition to the effective Back Relief Elite formula.

Boswellia, also known as boswellin or "Indian frankincense," comes from the Boswellia serrata tree that grows in the dry hills of India. For centuries, traditional Indian healers have taken advantage of the anti-inflammatory properties of the tree bark's gummy resin, called salai guggal. Modern preparations made from a purified extract of this resin and packaged in pill form are used to reduce inflammation associated with back pain and osteoarthritis. Unlike conventional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen--the accepted treatments for joint inflammation--boswellia doesn't cause stomach irritation. Boswellia has been shown to lessen morning stiffness and increase joint mobility. In a study of 175 patients with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, a crippling joint disease, 122 participants experienced reduced stiffness and inflammation two to four weeks after starting on a boswellia regimen. Boswellia along with the other 8 herbs and the two vitamins that make up the Back Relief Elite formula make it the most powerful natural back remedy ever created.

 

Devil's Claw is a plant found in the deserts of southern Africa. It is named Devil's Claw because of the distinctively shaped tips of its fruits. For years, people indigenous to the African continent dug up the plant's large tuberous roots, chopped them up, and let them dry in the sun. From the dried roots, they then prepared healing formulations to treat arthritis, fever, indigestion, and a number of other conditions. It remains unclear just how devil's claw works to reduce inflammation and pain. The latest findings indicate that the plant does not exert anti-inflammatory effects in the same way that many standard anti-inflammatory medications do. Yet studies still point to painkilling and anti-inflammatory actions. A handful of studies support the use of devil's claw for easing the inflammation and pain that often afflict people with back pain and arthritis. Mild pain relief and a lessening of inflammation was noted in a study that compared the devil's claw with the effects of a common arthritis drug (phenylbutazone).

Turmeric is best known as a spice that gives a distinctive flavor and yellow color to curry powder and mustard. It is a member of the ginger family and has long been used for healing. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and other traditional medicine systems practiced in India have relied on this pungent spice for centuries. The plant's healing properties reside in its fingerlike stalk, which is scalded and then dried for medicinal preparations. This is the same part of the plant used to flavor, color, and preserve foods. The anti-inflammatory compounds in turmeric ease inflammation. In India, curcumin-a component of turmeric is considered a standard anti-inflammatory medication. It appears to be most effective for acute (as opposed to chronic) inflammation.

Ginger is revered around the world for its pungent taste. It is a natural spice that is also widely prized for its medicinal properties. Since ancient times, traditional healers in a diverse array of cultures have used this plant primarily to help settle upset stomachs. Chinese herbalists have relied on ginger as a medicine and flavoring for more than 2,500 years. The early Greeks mixed it into breads (hence the first gingerbread), and North American colonists sipped nausea-quelling ginger beer, the precursor of modern ginger ale. Today, many cultures continue to rely on ginger for controlling nausea and also for reducing inflammation. Ginger helps to relieve chronic pain by reducing inflammation and, particularly when taken in standardized extract form, by lowering the body's level of natural pain-causing compounds called prostaglandins.

Yucca is also known by the names Spanish Bayonet, Guardian Of The Desert, Needle Palm, and Soapweed. Yucca, a member of the lily family, grows in abundance throughout the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The part of this plant used medicinally is the root. The name "Yucca" comes from the Caribbean name for "cassava", which was once considered part of this genus. Traditionally, this herb has been used for soap because of its foaming agents. Native Americans used the soapy leaves from yucca for numerous health conditions. Yucca is used today to treat inflammations caused by degenerative diseases like arthritis and rheumatism. Yucca block the release of toxins from the intestines, which tends to inhibit normal formation of cartilage. Again this is one excellent natural ingredient that combined with the other ingredients make Back Relief Elite so effective.

Boron is a mineral that aids in the production of natural steroid compounds within the body, which is necessary for healthy bones and muscle growth. It is also vital for the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. This mineral is found naturally in apples, carrots, grapes, dark green leafy vegetables, raw nuts, pears, and whole grains. Boron increases brain function, promotes alertness, and helps the body utilize energy from fats and sugars. Boron supplementation can help prevent osteoporosis and build muscle, and is a benefit for elderly people to aid in calcium absorption.

Vitamin D is called the sunlight vitamin because the body produces it when the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays strike the skin. It is the only vitamin the body manufactures naturally and is technically considered a hormone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from food and supplements. If the body does not have an adequate amount of vitamin D, it will extract calcium from bones and cartilage which over time leads to osteoporosis.

Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant that is summoned from the body's fatty tissue where it's stored. It protects cells by deactivating or destroying the potentially damaging oxygen molecules called free radicals. As a key antioxidant, vitamin E appears to play a modest but notable role in protecting the body from many chronic disorders. It may even slow the aging process and guard against damage from secondhand smoke and other pollutants. Circulatory disorders, skin and joint problems, diabetes-related nerve complications, high cholesterol, endometriosis, immune-system function, and memory are also believed to benefit from vitamin E.

These all-natural ingredients are combined into one life-changing formula called Back Relief Elite™ Premium Back Remedy. Try it today and experience something that truly works and is completely safe with no side effects.

 

 

Check it out..if you order, let me know how it works for you.. I just reordered buy 2 get 2 free!

 

Dawn

!!  For a couple of months now, some old friends of ours have been on our mind...they were actually our upline in a MLM company, well known then as Amway... so it was about 10 + years ago, because we have been relocated here in GA for 8 1/2 yrs.  But anyways, I tried to find them online, I couldnt remember their street address. So on and off I would check the internet, etc... but today I actually called the salon where he worked in Syracuse, and they told me he hadnt worked there for nearly 10 years... looked like another dead end, but the girl was great, she got the local phone book, and helped me find where he was working, and I was given his cell phone number.

 

So I just got off the phone with both of them.. it turned out that today was actually her birthday. What a riot!  It was so good to talk with them. They are both still in Amway , but it's now called QuickStar which is more into the nutritional aspect rather than the laundry and cleaning products that it was. I may have to look into it, he mentioned a product that is no carb, no sugar energy drinks... I forgot how motivational and sweet these two people are!  It was great to speak with them...oh! And he has a daughter that lives in Alpharetta...so they will be coming to the area in a month or so. How coinkydink is that?

 

change of subject:

 

Here is an update on my leg.  I was a little loopy after my acupuncture treatment yesterday. And having a hard time adjusting to my new eye glass prescription, so was feeling foggy about that too....

 

I went straight home, and when I got out of my car, walking from there to my apartment and down some stairs, I was able to do so with barely a limp! The muscles had released that much... it felt freer than it has in a year!  Incredible after just a acupuncture treatment and tends to boggle my mind, because I come from a different aspect of how to get muscles to respond and release, you know?

 

Today its a little tender, achey and like it wants to go back to being stiff again, could be partly weather related too I suppose...it's raining here in GA...but if by tomorrow its locking up I will make an appointment to come in sooner than next Monday cause next week I want to really nail this thing, so I will be ready for our trip back to NY to visit!

 

Change of subject:

 

Son. Called yesterday from the new jail...I dont know if I mentioned it or not, but last week, he finally went before the judge in Cobb cty, and they dropped the auto theft charges, set the court date for the drug charges for june 07 and released him on bond, which then promptly he was transfered to the jail here in gwinnett cty because they put a hold on him due to his breaking probation.  So now he is in that holding pattern until he gets to the judge to find out what the penalty is for breaking probation.  Then next June he will find out what the penalty is for the drug charges. In the meantime, Gwinnett wont release him on bail, cause they consider him a flight risk as well as the fact that he broke probation...so he is there until they figure out what to do with him. I think I am going to try to visit him either next week, or the week we come back from NY. 

 

He apologized to me. He said he feels very very bad that we had to move on account of his violent behavior and the drug people he surrounded himself with. I said.. yes..that was 90% of the reason why we moved, the other 10% of the decision was to keep my office open and running and we couldnt do that and keep the house payments on top of it all. We decided to keep the move to ourselves after that because of who you were involved with.

 

I am glad to hear that he is owning up to his responsibilities. I am sorry that he will have a felony on his record now...for stupid drugs... what a mess they make of lives!  I did let him know there was a chance that we may decide to move back to NY next year, just didnt want to surprise him by not telling him that at least.  He took it fairly well. Considering he has the man that had him arrested wrapped around his finger playing on his guilt. The man is paying for my son's lawyer AND sending him money. He has 150 bucks in his account. I was like.. do you earn money....and he said, nope, Al sends it to me. I called him out on it, and he kinda gave me that laugh that says, yep, I know it.... but I will be damned if I will send him any money... and that still shows me that he is using people... I am sure he feels that he doesnt have a choice in the matter at this point...but it's kind of an ugly situation in my eyes..to have this older gay guy just doling out cash and bending over backwards to help my son who will drop kick him to the curb once he is out.  Apparently he has already told my son, when you get out, you will be under lock and key here!

 

Ah.. come on man, reality check.. he had rules etc to live by the last time he got out of jail with us, then with them when he moved in with them... being under lock and key with the taste of freedom.. it will last ..um.. maybe ... 1 month...then it will go haywire... that is the typical pattern.

 

But.. I DO pray that this time the cycle is broken, that my son will pull out of this being a better man for it, it's just hard to see the 'games' still in play, and I know changes are slow...so I am going to be happy for the changes I hear him saying, and hope that that when he does come out, the changes will continue.  I pray for solid men to surround him, and draw his heart to a better place, that he will begin to feel like he CAN do something and BE someone.  I want someone in there to encourage him to get his GED. I think he is tired of hearing me say it..but he is so dang SMART.. but so dang lazy!  EH! LOL!

 

I walk by faith, not by sight...and in that walk of faith, I know that God is doing a deep work, a deep cleansing in my son, and that he will continue to water those seeds that are dormant in him, that fell on thorny ground, that got choked out...and make the soil of his heart fertile to begin to feel better about himself and not cling to the past. To cut his ties with his biological mother in the fact that he relates the loss, the rejection, and the negative heritage she provided to him... to instead look to the little boy that we chose to bring into our family... and to know that we chose him, loved him, and still do love him.

 

Change of subject:

 

Ah.. I have a client in 20 minutes, my second one today.. .then I am going to go pick up my pants that I dropped off to a local alteration shop, why do they think that all fat people are 6 feet tall? LOL... I have another pair of jeans to give her to hem up for me.. .. I hate sewing.. so this is nice that my pants will finally all be the right length! Yippee. 

 

Then I am going to Aldi's to return the gps that I bought, it is not working...I think I will go back to the original plan and get the one I really wanted.  One that I can read..lol

 

Let's see... oh yes..then I am going to Walmart to pick up my prescription glasses, however I am going to have them check these new glasses out, they still are making my eyes very blurry and I am having a rough time with them, this is day 3 of trying to adjust to them.

 

I have to fill out my paperwork to apply for my National Massage Certification test.  It is a complicated bugger and it costs 225.00 to apply...and you only get to take it twice...If I fail it , then I would have to pay the entire fee again. Incredible pressure there, eh?  I should have taken it right out of school 5 yrs ago, but I was in the middle of building my business, and wanted to put it towards advertising instead. And well, there has always been a reason not to take it.

 

Now, I have the money from the income tax return, so I better do it, and I better get studying... At least 1/2 hour a day I think is a good committment ( I have never had to study..so this whole study thing makes me out of sorts!)  I think I have 90 days from when I give them the application to go to a center to test.

 

OK.. off to do what I do! :)

 

Love and Laughter,

Dawn

 

Acupuncture. Today I had my first session. I am going to try to have 4-6 total sessions before I give a yay or nay to it for myself.  But I will tell you this, I enjoyed the rush of energy after each needle was inserted to the Trigger point or area she was addressing. She said it was the release of "chi" when I would feel the warm liquidy feeling.

I can't say I am in any less discomfort or pain than I was earlier today, but I did feel peaceful afterwards. I sure like endorphins. They are my friends :)

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine which involves stimulation of special points on the body.
Fine needles are used to stimulate 360 acupuncture points in the body. Between four and 10 needles are normally used at each session.

Studies show acupuncture can relieve certain conditions, sometimes for only a short time.
Conditions that show evidence of being relieved by the use of acupuncture include nausea and pain conditions.

In general acupuncture is a safe treatment. The main concerns relate to the use of unhygienic needle

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine dating back up to 3000 years.

It involves the use of fine needles to stimulate certain acupuncture points in the body in an attempt to provide pain relief for some medical conditions.

Acupuncture theory is based on the concept of yin and yang (male and female), and that imbalances of these things in the body lead to illness. Acupuncture is used to help restore the balance.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body is controlled by a life force known as "Qi", and acupuncture points are used to change the flow of Qi when illness interferes with this.

From the Western point of view, traditional acupuncture points correspond to nerve junctions which can cause a pattern of referred pain such as muscles in the neck and shoulder relating to certain types of headaches. Needles are placed at any of the 360 acupuncture points to relieve pain in another region of the body.

There is evidence that acupuncture does work in some cases, especially for short-term pain relief. Studies have found acupuncture by a trained acupuncturist to be more effective than that carried out in an imitation procedure inserting needles at incorrect points.

However, the exact nature of how acupuncture works remains a mystery. Western science believes it may stimulate the release of brain chemicals to kill pain such as endorphins, serotonin and prostaglandins, but this theory has yet to be proven.

Acupuncture has gown in acceptance by the medical community over the past 20 years. About 2000 doctors and physiotherapists in the UK now use the technique as a complimentary therapy in their own practice.

What happens during acupuncture treatment?

A detailed patient history is taken by the practitioner including questions about diet and their environment. The practitioner will examine the person's tongue, colour of their face, quality of their pulse, and their stomach.

The practitioner may put pressure on different acupuncture points to see what triggers pain in other areas of the body.

Between four and 10 needles are used during a session and they are left there for up to 30 minutes, although some may only be left there for a few seconds or minutes.

The procedure is unlikely to cause pain because the needles are much finer than ones normally used for injections.

Other therapies such as massage, smoldering herbs over acupuncture points, and electricity to stimulate points, may also be used during a session.

Several sessions are usually required. There may be up to 12 sessions over a three month period, with further follow-up procedures after that.

Pain relief may have a delayed response with the effectiveness of treatments increasing over each session. The condition may return once treatment is stopped.

If acupuncture is not working it is advisable to stop treatment after 10 sessions. It should only take six treatments for some relief to be obtained.

What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?

Acupuncture is mainly used to help treat chronic conditions that are not life threatening.

A wide variety of conditions can be treated with acupuncture. Some of these include:

Common cold
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Bladder problems
Nausea and morning sickness
High blood pressure
Tinnitus
Muscular aches and pains
Headache
Migraine
Asthma
Bronchitis
Arthritis
Hay fever
Menstrual pain
Irritable bowel syndrome
Eye disorders (cataracts, short sightedness in children)
Depression
Anxiety
Addictions such as smoking or drug abuse
Pain disorders
Acupuncture can also be used to induce childbirth.

According a recent review in the British Medical Journal, scientific evidence shows that acupuncture is effective at relieving nausea, morning sickness, nausea from chemotherapy, drug abuse problems, pain disorders such as migraines, and stroke.

There is conflicting evidence over the use of acupuncture in the treatment of asthma and hay fever.

Some studies show acupuncture to be useful for osteoarthritis, and menstrual cramps although more evidence is necessary.

So far studies have found acupuncture is not effective in the treatment obesity, smoking cessation, or tinnitus.

There is insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture on digestive problems, depression and anxiety.

Safety issues

While there are few safety concerns associated with acupuncture, there is evidence of serious life threatening consequences.

The main risk relates to unsterile needles being used.

The most serious reports of unsafe practises relate to cases of infection linked to the use of unhygienic needles.

There have been 126 documented cases of hepatitis associated with acupuncture and three cases of HIV infection, however a certain link has not been established in the HIV cases.

Other serious infections including one fatal case of staphylococcal septicaemia have also been reported. Acupuncture performed incorrectly can also cause bleeding, or damage to an organ.

The needles used in acupuncture must be sterilised or new ones used each time. Most acupuncturists use disposable needles. Ask about this before having the treatment.

Other safety issues include forgotten needles, low blood pressure for a short time, the possible aggravation of a complaint, and spinal cord injuries.

Acupuncture is not recommended for people with heart valve defects, and deep needle penetration is not safe for patients with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medication. Pregnant woman should avoid having needles placed on or near their stomach.

Professional acupuncturists train for up to four years in the UK. In New Zealand there is a four-year training programme in Wellington and Auckland.

Getting help

Choose an accredited or certified acupuncturist with a good reputation. It may pay to talk to other people who have had treatment or ask acupuncture training schools about acupuncturists in their area.

It also helps to have an accurate diagnosis before undergoing acupuncture treatment. It is advisable to talk to your doctor about your symptoms first. Pain or other symptoms that become worse should also be investigated by your doctor.

What else you can do

You can try using apple cider vinegar water as a topical lotion to give a light massage on the affected area; this substance is of traditional use in this regard as far as neuralgia is concerned. To prepare the solution, half a cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of lukewarm water are mixed, into this mixture dip a clean cotton cloth. Use this cloth to apply the solution onto the affected area by lightly wiping the painful area with upward strokes until the pain recedes, alternately you can make use of your hands to do just that, dip your hand in the vinegar solution and lightly stroke the affected area just as before for maximum relief. Another person should preferably carry out this massage as it may become difficult for a single individual and especially the patient herself to handle it. Applying hot wraps around the affected area can minimize the pain felt. The affected region can also be relieved by slowly rubbing a slice of fresh lemon onto it as a topical treatment. External treatments using the oil or cream of the arnica herb and natural progesterone cream may also be beneficial in relieving pain.