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How Animal Rescue Rescued Me

I found meaning, purpose, and pain relief bottle-feeding hundreds of orphan kittens and baby squirrels. It's a commitment of time, energy, and emotion but it brings me joy and makes me feel strong and capable. Here's how helping baby animals helps me thrive. 

Animal rescue promotes healing and can be an antidote for depression, too. Here's how baby squirrels and kittens kept one woman moving through her chronic pain.
How to Tap into Your Brain to Manage Your Chronic Pain

Guided imagery, hypnosis (no, not the kind where sensible adults oink like barnyard pigs on a stage), distraction, and music are all legit—research-backed—ways to relieve chronic pain. If you've never considered these treatments, here's what you need to know. 

Guided imagery, hypnotherapy, relaxation, distraction, and music have all been shown to alleviate chronic pain and reduce the need for medication, in some cases.
Are You Missing Two-Thirds of Your Potential Pain Treatment Plan?

You've probably heard about the biopsychosocial medical model for managing chronic pain, but what does it mean and how can you start using it? 

A look at the biopsychosocial medical model for chronic pain and how it can apply to your treatment regimen.
Am I a Candidate for Biofeedback or Neurofeedback for Chronic Pain?

These non-invasive therapies help teach you how to control your own physiology – and in many cases – can reduce pain symptoms in the back, neck, nerves, and more.

A clinician shares how biofeedback helped to relieve her own low back pain and how she now uses biofeedback and neurofeedback to help others reduce pain stemming from their neck, head, nerves, fibromyalgia, and more.
Oxygen Therapy: Growing Research On Its Use In Managing Pain Flares

Regular oxygen therapy continues to combat cluster headache, but higher presser oxygen using hyperbaric chambers may soon offer pain relief for people with fibromyalgia, CRPS, and trigeminal neuralgia as well.

Regular oxygen therapy is known to combat cluster headache, but higher presser/hyperbaric oxygen therapy may soon offer pain relief for fibromyalgia, CRPS, and trigeminal neuralgia, too.
When Determination Wins: A Chronic Pain Warrior’s Journey through Hand and Arm Pain

The author shares how he used education and mind-body techniques to overcome his chronic pain experience.

When a repetitive strain injury led to chronic arm and hand pain (cubital tunnel syndrome), the author found his path back to a pain-free life using mind-body techniques (Pathways app).
Is Kratom a Viable Alternative to Opioids?

Inside the potential benefits and risks of this often-banned substance.

Inside the potential benefits and risks of kratom, a US-banned substance, as an opioid alternative for managing chronic pain and related symptoms such as insomnia and depression.
Scientists Pinpoint Brain Circuit that Mediates Pain

The unpleasant feelings we experience in response to pain may also be helpful in managing pain.

Animal study takes a deep dive into the sensory mechanics of pain response.
What Is Neuroplasticity of the Brain and How Can It Help My Pain?

Growing research on the brain’s flexibility means that mindfulness practices such as meditation are not just trends, but they truly have the potential to help deliver relief.

 
Growing research on the brain’s flexibility means that mindfulness practices such a meditation are not just trends, but they truly have the potential to help deliver relief to those living with chronic pain.
Diet Changes May Help Beat the Pain of Gluten Neuropathy
Following a strict gluten-free diet might help prevent, delay, or treat the painful condition known as gluten neuropathy.
Two Peppermint “Medical Foods” Battle GI Problems Naturally

Can IBgard and FDgard tackle your stomach and intestinal pain?

IBgard and FDgard peppermint medical foods take the natural approach to gastrointestinal pain and discomfort.
Dealing with Opioid-Induced Constipation? Try an Osteopathic Approach

Constipation is one of many undesirable side effects of long-term opioid usage. Here’s how patients managing their chronic pain with opioids can find some relief.

Constipation is one of many undesirable side effects of long-term opioid usage. Here’s how patients can find some relief.
Can Kava Supplements Kill Your Pain?

The natural medicinal qualities of this Pacific plant may have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

The natural medicinal qualities of this Pacific herbal plant may reduce inflammation and chronic pain.
Ginger and Turmeric: A Dynamic Pain-Fighting Duo

Are they pain cure-alls? No, but they may help ease your aching head, belly, or bones. Here’s what’s known about the medicinal qualities of ginger and turmeric, and how to incorporate them into your diet.

The medicinal qualities of ginger and turmeric may provide pain relief for certain chronic conditions.
How a Service Dog Helped One Veteran with PTSD Get His Life Back

Military veteran Andrew Vincelette suffered from debilitating PTSD until hope and healing arrived in the form of a furry, four-legged friend named Doc.

Learn how a service dog named Doc brought life and hope back to a military veteran suffering from pain and debilitating PTSD
Is Eating Too Much Protein Causing Your Pain?

When you're trying to reduce pain, the types and amounts of food you eat can make a difference.

A registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator explains why eating too much protein could be contributing to your pain.
7 Thoughtful Gifts for Mother's Day to Ease Her Chronic Pain

She makes you feel cherished every day of the year. So on Mother’s Day, don't miss the opportunity to treat your Mom, or Grandma, to some VIP pampering. If she lives with chronic pain, we've got some great ideas for you. Check out our guide with 7 suggestions from people who live with pain and physicians who treat it.

If your mom or grandma lives with chronic pain, check out our thoughtful gift ideas suggested by physicians who treat it and others who live with it.
Chair Yoga: Gentle, Effective Exercise for Osteoarthritis Pain

The first randomized, controlled study to observe the effects of Chair Yoga on osteoarthritis reports many benefits for people with joint pain and stiffness. Learn more about the study and how you can reduce pain exercising in a seated position.

New study shows Chair Yoga reduces pain and is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. Learn more about the benefits of this gentle form of exercise and how it could help you.
Gifts that Bring Comfort to Loved Ones in Pain

While Santa seems to have his gift-giving down to a science—with time left over to check his naughty and nice lists twice—many of us find the task downright daunting. That may be especially true when shopping for a friend or family member living with chronic pain. But don’t break a sweat just yet. We’ve done the legwork for you and like good little elves, are here to make your lives easier. Here are 11 great gift ideas.

Read our guide to gifts selected especially for the needs of people living with chronic pain. Ease their pain and bring joy and comfort to them this holiday season with a thoughtful gift.
The Role of Acupuncture in Treating Chronic Pain

Acupuncture may sound like an exotic—maybe even improbable—treatment for chronic pain. But this age-old practice is now viewed as an acceptable supplementary treatment for certain low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis conditions. 

Acupuncture can be an effective alternative therapy for people suffering from chronic pain. Learn more about this ancient procedure.
New Study on Acupuncture for Pain Management in Children Shows Promise

Kids may be famously needle-shy but scientists have shown that fear can be overcome and that acupuncture used in conjuction with Western medicine, can be beneficial for a variety of pediatric conditions.

Learn the results of a study on children that shows promise for pain management in the pediatric population.
Meditation: A Pathway to Pain Relief

New study finds mindfulness meditation reduces pain intensity through a non-opioid process in the brain.

Om—scientists discover a non-opioid pain pathway in the brain to help reduce pain through mindful meditation.
Managing Kids’ Headaches: What Parents Should Know

If your child misses school or other activites due to headaches, it makes sense to educate yourself about the causes, treatment options and lifestyle modifications that can help your child of any age manage the symptoms and get back to the business of growing up.

If your child is missing out on school and fun because of headaches, here's what you need to know to help her manage the symptoms.
6 Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses several methods designed to help patients achieve and maintain health. To follow are 6 modern therapeutic methods used, including acupuncture.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses several methods designed to help patients achieve and maintain health.
Eat (or Juice) Your Way to Less Pain

These simple eating tips from Cherie Calbom, MSN, tell you what you can and can't eat to reduce your body's inflammation and reduce pain.

 

Simple eating and juicing tips from Cherie Calbom, MSN, can help reduce your body's inflammation and reduce pain.
Post-op Pain: Music as Powerful as a Pill

If you are having elective surgery, bring along your favorite tunes. New study shows listening to music after surgery can be as effective as medications for reducing pain and anxiety.

If you are having elective surgery, bring along your favorite tunes. New study shows listening to music after surgery can be as effective as medications for reducing post-op pain and anxiety.
Spirituality and Healing Touch

How you can take responsibility for your self-management through spirituality and Healing Touch.

How spirituality and Healing Touch can help you take responsibility for your self-management and help improve your pain.
Hypnosis and Biofeedback
Hypnosis and biofeedback are sometimes combined as an alternative treatment for patient with chronic pain. Learn how hypnosis and biofeedback can benefit you.
5 Post-op Pain Relief Tips

Texting and other techniques to reduce post-op pain.

Texting Pain Away—Pain Relief at Your Fingertips

New study finds texting can help you recover faster after minor surgery, with less pain!

New study finds texting during minor surgery can help you recover faster, with less pain! But who you texts matters. Find out how texting during surgery reduces pain.
Common Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain

Acupuncture, Herbal Remedies, Massage, and Mind-Body Techniques

Certain complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, such as acupuncture, can alleviate your pain and other symptoms.
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