February 14, 2018 What a horrendous day! Started at 3:30 a.m. when I was awakened by an intense headache (not migraine) and was not able to get back to sleep, even after I took naproxen and used an ice pack. Pain Management class was fine, getting lunch at In-n-Out Burger was delicious, and spending the…
Category: Pain Management Program
Day 11 Pain Management
February 12, 2018 Linda has been sick all weekend so I had to drive myself today. Pain Level 4 (though I did have a magic dark chocolate espresso bean). Used neck pillow, turned off air and radio (they were distractions). In spite of several traffic lights being out (and we all had to have a…
Pain Group Acupuncture #2
February 9, 2018, 12:30 p.m. Sophie was running a few minutes late today, but she did arrive and got us all settled. I moved my chair back against a wall so I could lean my head back against the wall. She started on the other side of the room and I was the last to…
Day 9 Pain Management
February 7, 2018 Today is Alex’s second birthday. I failed to get my phone before we left the house, so I am starting this blog with a pen and notebook while in the Kaiser waiting room. (Hence, no pictures or check-in.) One discovery is that the “Chin Tuck,” which can be done any time and…
Day 8 Pain Management
February 5, 2018 Meditation (half-hour) with Dr. Whitehead. Then exercise with Francis, to review the 7 core exercises. Emphasized benefits in strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. He added in “Cardio” which he defined as any movement in place that will increase your heart rate. He taped 10 pictures of the core exercises on the walls…
Pain Group Acupuncture #1
February 2, 2018, 12:30 p.m. Finally met Sophie, the acupuncturist, who conducted the group acupuncture session. She was not there on the first Friday of the program (January 26) and will not be there on the 4th week (February 16) due to Chinese New Year. So we will get only 3 sessions instead of the…
Day 7 Pain Management
February 2, 2018 With Francis: Meditation & Breathing Exercises (with breathing) Homework: Exercises 5-7 (in addition to 1-4) “L” (backside stretch) Wall plank Lying down “bridge” Most in the group have lower back issues All 7 exercises are included in yoga and Tai Chi Introduction to Tai Chi (10 exercises) – lots of arm movements…
Day 6 Pain Management
January 31, 2018 Francis was back and was the first presenter, beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. with a half-hour of meditation. He played an audio file which he said was accessible in the members’ area of the Kaiser website. I could understand about 50% of what the female speaker said. After that, he took a…
Day 5 Pain Management
January 29, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Dr. Whitehead was, again, the main presenter. We started with a half hour of meditation and breathing, this time imagining we are on a beach. She seemed to be talking a little louder and I got 90% of what she said (instead of missing 90%!). The “gentle movement” was another…
Office Visit with Dr. Whitehead
January 29, 2018, 9:00 a.m. Nine o’clock seemed way too early to be up and doing anything! But it was a good session, casual and comfortable. It was mostly giving an overview of my current neck pain history and what else was going on in my life during the past year. I was relieved that…