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.

• Close my eyes and BREATHE. Release any tension in my body upon each exhale.
• 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).
• Combine Copaiba oil (doTERRA or Revive) with lotion and rub into my legs and shoulders.
• Do the Donna Eden energy routine to stimulate the vagal nerve.
• Listen to singing bowls on YouTube.
• 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.
• Move my body parts to remind it that even though I still hurt, I can still move.

When pain strikes my upper back, shoulders, arms, and down to my hands:

• Use s-curved massage gadget to work on knots/spasms.
• Use self-massager on my back, hips, and thighs.
• Apply wireless TENS unit on across the lower neck vertebrae. 
• Wear Tourmaline sleeves.
• Use inflatable neck traction.
• Apply Past Tense blend (doTERRA) to the base of my occipital point and rub in.
• Use Thermalon heat wrap on my shoulders.
• Wear wrist braces.
• List from above.

When my knees complain:

• Rub Deep Blue (doTERRA) oil with lotion into my knees.
• Apply compression sleeves to knees.
• Use Thermalon heat wrap.

When my sinuses complain:

• Use moist heat (bead) packs.
• Use saline nasal spray.
• Turn on humidifiers.
• Inhale peppermint oil and/or Breathe essential oil blend.
• Do lymphatic drainage massage.