(Image from my book, Art & Chronic Pain – A Self Portrait) Navigating the horrific pain journey is complex enough. Patients need GPs who steer them to appropriate treaters via the shortest route – our GPs are our GPS! Do [...]
I’m not talking about the food kind. As you’re all aware, this is a site about chronic pain education and pain management. But what do DIMs SIMs have to do with chronic pain you would so rightly ask? If you [...]
The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. Although famous for her colorful self-portraits and associations with celebrities Diego Rivera and Leon Trotsky, less known is the fact that she had lifelong chronic pain. Frida Kahlo developed poliomyelitis at age 6 years, was in a horrific trolley car accident in her teens, and would eventually endure numerous failed spinal surgeries and, ultimately, limb amputation. She endured several physical, emotional, and psychological traumas in her lifetime, yet through her art, she was able to transcend a life of pain and disability. Of her work, her self-portraits are conspicuous in their capacity to convey her life experience, much of which was imbued with chronic pain. Signs and symptoms of chronic neuropathic pain and central sensitization of nociceptive pathways are evident when analyzing her paintings and medical history. This article uses a narrative approach to describe how events in the life of this artist contributed to her chronic pain. The purpose of this article is to discuss Frida Kahlo's medical history and her art from a modern pain sciences perspective, and perhaps to increase our understanding of the pain experience from the patient's perspective.
I’m a member of PainAustralia, well, PainTrain is. As you all know I support and follow alot of the pain educators and advocates. Why? Because it’s important to support the organisations that are educating professionals and the general public about [...]
Hawaa Dajan is a psychology honours student at USQ doing her research project on the relationship between emotional expression and pain/illness. Hawaa contacted me through FB and asked if I could share her information. Of course! Hawaa and her co [...]
Theo and I continue to establish our new life in Queenscliff and are enjoying the many wonderful new aspects of our new lifestyle. We're also learning to manage the sacrifices. It makes me feel I've turned a corner. Home Then Actually, a couple of weeks ago, I literally did turn a corner. After staying in Melbourne for a special family lunch, during the evening we also managed to catch up with old friends on our old pavement. I kind of felt a little emotional pang when I turned into the city end of Gertrude Street and saw the magnolias enjoying the Autumn evening light and the little drizzle that was beginning. Very steadily pacing my drinks, the night saw us hop around our old favorite spots. The life turn happened when I stepped out of the Everleigh and instead of turning right to head 'home', Theo and I turned left to head to a city hotel. We were going to sleep at this hotel, wake up in the morning and return to Queenscliff. Theo had to work... Sunday. I don't often have overwhelming emotional moments. I really deal with life's activities quite well. I mean, who would I think I was expecting a perfect life run, right? 'Suck it up!' But this was one of those overwhelming emotional moments and it was damn hard. I knew what it was. I knew that overdue moment since we left 'home' had finally caught up with me. I fully comprehended that we had said goodbye, and life had moved us on. I lapped up every step away from my previous home as the rain fell on/off and the concrete took in all the glittery, yellow, autumn Melbourne evening lights. I bid abiento to each magnolia as I walked up the street. I also lapped up the arms that were around me and the huge hug that Theo and I stopped to have to mark our moment. Home Now
Master the art & science of delivering biopsychosocial care for chronic pain. Reinvigorate your clinical work Get up to speed on principles of modern pain science Learn how apply pain science principles into practical skills that you can use in [...]
I’m going to get more serious with my drive for patient management. Expect more posts about the job we’ve unofficially been hired to do. I know, I know, as if it’s not difficult enough managing pain, now we have to [...]
This way for males with pelvic pain or pelvic issues. Dr Susie Gronski predominately focuses on male pelvic pain and describes herself as providing 'expert pelvic health advice without the jargon'! Follow the FREE In Your Pants podcasts with Dr. Susie [...]
Pudendal Neuralgia Association, Inc (PNA) invite you to a FREE online webinar: How can physical therapy help with pelvic neuralgias and self-help tips and Stephanie Pendergasts' Free Meeting for Males With Pelvic Pain April 18, 2018 6:30-7:30 PM EST Amy Stein, PT, [...]
