Integrating Psychological Principles into Physical Therapy Treatment
In the first few minutes of a recent initial evaluation, my patient burst into tears as she struggled to describe her journey and frustrations with chronic pain. Has this ever happened to you? She reported visiting doctor after doctor in a desperate attempt to obtain a diagnosis. She wanted to get off of the opiate […]
Got Joint Pain? Why Dairy Makes Me Hurt
Most of us have been raised to believe that we need milk and other dairy products in order to have a healthy body, not only when we are young, but also as we age. But what if we have been led astray? Have you ever considered that we were not meant to consume the milk […]
Can Surgery Solve Chronic Back Pain?
“Do I need surgery?” It’s a question many ask when faced with a diagnosis of chronic back pain. When your pain becomes chronic, you may feel like surgery is your only option. But spinal surgery is having a moment right now, and not a happy one. NBA coach Steve Kerr has famously battled back pain […]
The Truth About Opioids for Pain
[Scroll to the end of the article to learn about the statue of Spinario] Opioids are a problem and pain is extremely complex involving changes in both the brain and body. When treating someone with chronic pain, compassion and caring come first. However, it is important we stop the illusion that opioids are a cure […]
Here’s How the Brain Creates Pain – And How to Stop It
There are natural solutions for pain that don’t involve prescription medication or invasive procedures. It turns out the brain and one’s perception and response to stress have a powerful effect on the intensity of the pain experience. It also contributes to recovery’s length and efficacy. [1, 3, 4, 6,] Your Brain’s Amazing Flexibility Neuroplasticity (brain […]
Trauma and Adult Pain – What is the connection?
Do traumatic experiences influence our perception of pain? Is there a link between early life trauma and pain? Traumatic experiences, such as a car accident, surgery (yes, even elective surgery is traumatic), or physical assault, alter the ways our minds and bodies function at a fundamental level. Post-trauma, the body may be physically changed, but […]
