February 23, 2018 This is my last day of pain group acupuncture with Sophie. I have requested to be referred to the Acupuncture Clinic for an individual session. So, for that, I will just have to wait. Today only 3 of us from the class went to group acupuncture! I don’t know where everyone else…
Category: mindful breathing
Day 15 Pain Management
February 23, 2018 Today is the last day of the Level 3 Chronic Pain Management program! The first thing they did was have us fill out questionnaires, which I knew was coming. Yeah, by this time, I really do know my Kaiser Medical # by memory! After the meditation session, Francis led us in the…
Day 14 Pain Management
February 21, 2018 There was no Pain Management on Monday, February 19, which was Presidents Day. Today Francis did the meditation session with affirmations. He then divided us up into two groups to go through the Tai Chi routine with no coaching. I asked about acupressure and he said he would talk about it on…
Day 13 Pain Management
February 16, 2018 I have more pain today, I think after working so hard yesterday afternoon with no break. I opened a new can of “magic” espresso beans and took one. Dr. Whitehead began with the meditation, this one focusing on body sensations of heaviness and warmth. Great distractions. Francis came in for the exercises,…
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…
Day 10 Pain Management
February 9, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Meditation with Dr. Whitehead. Guided imagery of beach scene, my favorite. Exercise with Francis. He started us off with three Tai Chi exercises and told us to go through all 10 with the video over this weekend. He added 3 new core exercises to the first 7: calf stretch, fold-over,…
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 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…