Pain Management

As I hope you have read in my books and/or the About page, you will see I no longer take any medications for pain. In the long run, the side effects weren't worth it to me. Plus, I kept building up a tolerance to them, so they didn't work anymore.

This is a list of things I often do to cope with flare-ups... which can merely be an increase in pain intensity on top of my 'normal.' I keep a list handy because when pain shoots up, my brain goes on vacation. I believe this is the same with everyone.

General flare-up (usually in my neck, shoulders, and upper back):

• Close my eyes and BREATHE. Release any tension in my body upon each exhale.
• Activate Vagus Nerve by Ohmming/Humming.
• Massage ears with one of the many essential oils I have on hand (or massage them without oil). Ears have a lot of acupuncture points. i.e. Balance or AromaTouch blends (doTERRA).
• Use self-massager on my back, hips, and thighs.
• Use Thermalon heat wrap on my shoulders.
• Listen to singing bowls on YouTube. Play the one I have.
• Meditate (see Meditation page).
• Lay in bed and read.
• Drink more water, including hot water with honey.
• Practice the mind exercises I learned, including appreciation and gratitude.
• Practice Donna Eden Energy Medicine routines.
• Move my body parts to remind it that even though I still hurt, I can still move.
• Apply wireless TENS unit on across the lower neck vertebrae. 
• Use over-the-door traction device.
• Use a Salonpas patch.
• For lower back, apply marjoram with lotion.

Feeling suddenly drained and achy all over:

• Rest a lot more in bed. (Read in bed.)
• Apply Past Tense blend (doTERRA) to the base of my occipital point and rub in.
• 15 drops of Energetix Hypothalmapath.
• Drink decaf (organic) coffee with a drop of peppermint oil and hot water with honey.
• If my bowels are backed up, so are the toxins.

Muscle cramps: from hips to knees; abdomen; sides (ribcage); lower & mid back:

• TENS unit with back strap or iRelieve TENS unit 
• Use Thermalon heat wrap on abdomen
• Increase Magnesium Glycinate to two 3x day
• Inflamma-Tone 
• Apply Marjoram & Copaiba with lotion

Teres Major spasm triggered by inflammation/nerve compression:

• Apply and massage in Past Tense blend (doTERRA) to the base of my occipital point and along each side of my upper spine.
• Apply and massage in a blend of Lemongrass, Marjoram, and Black Pepper essential oils into the spasm.
• Take 15 drops of Energetix Inflamma-Tone 2 - 3 times a day under tongue.
• Use inflatable neck traction.
• Do additional band pulls.
• Use iReliev TENS unit

Scapula spasm:

• Apply and massage in Past Tense blend (doTERRA) to the base of my occipital point and along each side of my upper spine.
• If someone is available to do this for me, apply and massage in a blend of Lemongrass, Marjoram, and Black Pepper essential oils into the spasm.
• Use self-massager on my back.
• Use Thermalon heat wrap.
• Use an S-curved massage gadget to work on knots/spasms.
• Do additional band pulls.
• Use iReliev TENS unit 

Carpal tunnel pain:

• Wear Tourmaline sleeves for pain in forearms and elbows.
• Apply wireless TENS unit on the back of forearms. 
• Wear wrist braces

Knee pain:

• Rub marjoram, lemongrass, & black pepper blend with oil into the sides of my knees. Can also use DoTERRA Deep Blue oil blend with lotion.
• Wear compression support.

Sinus pain:

• Do lymphatic drainage massage.
• Put moist heat (bead) packs over my face and breathe the steam.
• Use saline nasal spray as drops.
• Turn up humidifiers.
• Inhale peppermint oil and/or Breathe essential oil blend. Apply under nose.
• Sip on hot drinks.

Sore throat:

• Do lymphatic drainage massage.
• 5 drops of Energetix Inflamma-Tone every 4 hours.
• Hot drinks (with honey).
• Ricola lozenges.

Herpes outbreak coming on:

• Increase l-Lysine (pure encapsulations) from 4 to 6 capsules (2 capsules 3x a day).
• 1 dropper of Energetix Inflamma-Tone every 4 hours.
• 1 dropper of CBD oil (75mg) every 4 hours.
• Apply Copaiba or Tea Tree oil directly to the area.
• Soak feet in Epsom Salt and 2 drops Tea Tree oil.

Pins & Needles:

• 1 dropper CBD oil as needed.

Depressive episodes: 

• I didn't see it coming. As I began to sink into despair, I remembered I had followed my doctor's advice and stopped taking vitamin D-K2 when my levels came up. But I still needed a maintenance dose. 
• The episode along with irritability and body temperature fluctuations began next... which affected the quality of my sleep... and I realized my hypothalamus needed support again. Within the day I started these supplementations again, I began to feel better.
• Use Cheer essential oil blend as needed.

Maintenance:

• Combine Copaiba oil with Everyone or other organic lotion and rub into my legs, back, torso, arms, and shoulders. Do this several times a week.
• Do the Donna Eden energy routine and stimulate the vagal nerve (daily).
• Morning routine of stretches and motion exercises.