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…
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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 12 Pain Management
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…
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 Levels with Activities
Pain Free (0) I have NO pain-free moments when I am awake! When I am soundly asleep, I do not perceive pain; but the moment I wake up, the pain is there. Minor Pain (1-3) “Nagging, annoying, but doesn’t interfere with most daily living activities. Patient able to adapt to pain psychologically and with medication…
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 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 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…