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Pain loops, syndromes and an over protective brain
How many definitions for pain signals are out there? It doesn't stop and I have to be really honest here, it all sounds like hogwash for a person who was unstoppable and prior to her injury had the stamina of a bull (as a friend once described me).
David Butler and Lorimer Moseley discuss the first five years of Explain Pain
Explain Pain has been a huge stepping stone for patients and clinicians - not only in understanding pain but being able to communicate the concepts to others. Over 5 years on, and the book is still unprecedented in its layout, descriptive illustrations and incredible bank of information. Backed entirely by scientific evidence, Explain Pain is a recommended text at many universities but also read and enjoyed by everyday people in pain.
Anatomical images
I've always been curious and I wanted to understand and visualise my area of pain but for 4.5 years that wasn't possible as I was never diagnosed accurately and didn't have the visual reference in my head either. From my yoga practice I remember sending the breath to different areas of my body and it was not only relaxing, but it I felt I was sending great energy to that area... sort of loosening it up, relaxing, letting go. I wanted to get back to that after diagnosis and I found this brilliant resource to help me do just that.
Help? Yes please
This shouldn't take too long to grasp but I understand it may take a little while to actually put it into motion... Not used to having help hey? Well I wasn't either, never needed any. But once I realised I could get more out of my day by learning "Yes please", it got easier to say it. In fact I ask for help now. I even leave things on the floor if its a bad day (just push it aside with my foot, it'll be dealt with later) because I realise it means more capacity to do other things and LESS PAIN. Of course this only applies if you have help...
Diagnosis: Physiotherapy at the Women’s
It felt like a miracle and took all of about 15 minutes for the phsyiotherapist (at the chronic pelvic pain clinic at the Women's here in Melbourne Australia) to give me her French infused explanation that my pain was most probably coming from my Pudendal Nerve (yes, a name, I had a name!). It took another 15mins for her to put me in on my back (I never lay on my back as it was too painful) and apply a pressure/postural technique that switched my pain off! (Yes, OFF... calm, silence, stillness, roar gone, no spasm, quiet, peace)... unbelievable but this is true.
Chronic Pain Treatment: My list of practitioners
The most supported I've felt is when I've come across a practitioner who listens and wants to work with me specifically. I mean really take note of what's going on and want to learn themselves too. Chronic pain is still so difficult to understand, and of course I can't recommend or even suggest that my experience might be a solution for someone else but I can provide the contact details for 'team Soula'. Stage 1: The Search Dr Harry Crock, retired Mr Roy Carey, East Melbourne Professor Michael Quinn The Women's, The Royal Women's Hosptial, Parkville Pond Massage [...]