Chronic pain and illness come with their own inherent stressors, and with 2020 shaping up to be one of the most challenging year in most of our lifetimes, we could all use more moments of calm and ease. This is why Shelly recorded a short, guided body scan meditation to help you soothe and relax during these trying times.
I love poetry. It reminds me of music, in away that it has its own deep language and it has the power to move you like music does. When I came across poet Camisha L. Jones’ work, I was immediately moved and struck by its power and heart. I knew that I had to invite her on Painiac to share more of her art and her story. I hope you enjoy this conversation, and I know you’ll enjoy her poetry. Accessibility: to read a transcript of this episode, please go to: https://bit.ly/3kiPeTd
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Camisha L. Jones is the author of the poetry chapbook Flare (Finishing Line Press, 2017) and a recipient of a 2017 Spoken Word Immersion Fellowship from The Loft Literary Center. Through both, she breaks silence around issues of disability as someone living with hearing loss and chronic pain. Her poems can be found at The New York Times, Poets.org, Button Poetry, The Deaf Poets Society, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Typo, Rogue Agent, pluck!, Unfolding the Soul of Black Deaf Expressions, and The Quarry, Split This Rock’s social justice poetry database. She is also published in Let’s Get Real: What People of Color Can’t Say and Whites Won’t Ask about Racism, Class Lives: Stories from Across Our Economic Divide, and The Day Tajon Got Shot. A fellow of The Watering Hole and a representative of Slam Richmond at the 2013 National Poetry Slam, Camisha is Managing Director at Split This Rock, a national non-profit in DC that cultivates, teaches, and celebrates poetry that bears witness to injustice and provokes social change. Find her on Facebook as Poet Camisha Jones and on Twitter and Instagram as 1Camisha.
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As I always say, pain is universal, it’s a part of our human experience; and Martha Beck reminds us that “Hey, if you wanted a life without pain, you came to the wrong planet.”
So, remember that we’re all in this together, OK?
Tank you for listening, and be well.
In this episode, we explore what it means to get better. I’ve been thinking a lot about healing and recovery, and what it means to get better. Last month marked my 12 years anniversary of living with debilitating chronic pain, and this past May marked the 3 year anniversary of my most recent and most invasive surgery. When I look back at how I had imagined myself to feel at this stage, I hadn’t been able to see clearly; it was all a blur of grey. I could barely see beyond the initial hospital stay, let alone the long uphill journey of rehabilitation. When I was able to imagine the recovery, I focused my energy on the end game, the final stretch in the marathon. I imagined myself fully restored, and maybe even, if I can say it, healed and full of energy and vitality.
The truth is, I don’t feel that way, well at least not yet. And I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel that way, really. Let's talk about how a life with pain isn't just so simple; it isn't good or bad, and it isn't that if we feel better we don't also feel pain. And if we don't feel pain, it doesn't mean that the wisdom of pain disappears. It's deeper and more wild than that.
If you'd like to connect about what you hear on Painiac, suggest a guest, sponsor the show, or make a donation, reach out at www.painiacpodcast.com. Painiac is a labor of love, and is and always will be a free resource for people living with pain. It costs money to produce this show and bring it to you, and I hope you consider making a contribution at www.painiacpodcast.com If everyone who listens donates $1, the show would be funded for a third season. If you can, please help me keep making Painiac. Thank you in advance!---Shelly
THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR: THE LEMONAYDE APP
Lemonayde makes dating and socializing when you live with chronic pain or illness a whole lot easier. Visit www.SupportLemonayde.com to learn more and to support their Kickstarter. Let's help them raise $50,000!
Do you know your rights to request accommodations in the workplace? Did you know that you even have rights to request accommodations to make your job more comfortable? I’ll be honest, I had no idea that I had these kinds of rights back when I wasn’t self-employed, and chances are you don’t aren’t in the know either. That’s why I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode where I talk all about this topic with Dr. Beth Loy, a Principal Consultant with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a free consulting service funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
In this capacity, she leads JAN's external evaluation process and internal continuous improvement process, providing leadership to JAN's teams of service delivery and information systems. This includes JAN's outreach and education, training programs, and Website development. Beth has been with JAN since 1996 and is a member of the Management Team. Beth is a national researcher and speaker in the disability field and has a Ph.D. in Resource Economics with a specialization in social policy. At JAN, she provides research, writing, and statistics support regarding accommodation benefits and costs and the economic impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Beth is a member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential one-on-one guidance on reasonable accommodation (RA) in the workplace, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. This is important, as disability impacts us all. One in five American adults has a disability. (US Census Bureau) JAN is one of several technical assistance services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Its development has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of ODEP, West Virginia University, and private industry throughout North America.
https://askjan.org/index.cfm
ASK JAN https://askjan.org/contact-us.cfm
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If you'd like to connect about what you hear on Painiac, suggest a guest, sponsor the show, or make a donation, reach out at www.painiacpodcast.com. Painiac is a labor of love and is, and always will be, a free resource for people living with pain. It costs money to produce this show and bring it to you, and I hope you consider making a contribution at www.painiacpodcast.com. If everyone who listens donates $1, the show would be fully funded for a third season. If you can, please help me keep making Painiac. Thank you in advance!---Shelly
Virtual reality therapy is revolutionizing pain management by offering painiacs non-invasive and non-addictive ways to effectively manage pain. Today, I’m talking with Josh Sackman, President and Co-Founder of Applied VR, about the new app Ease VR. Josh has been featured in Wired, Forbes and MIT Technology Review and has spoken at international conferences such as South by Southwest and Health 2.0, as well as The White House about the use of virtual reality technology in healthcare.
AppliedVR is the recognized leader in therapeutic VR, with a clinically validated solution that has launched in over 225 hospitals across the US and in 8 countries worldwide. The folks at Applied VR are working to change pain management so that patients have access to safer, more engaging, and effective digital tools that reduce suffering.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE:
https://www.wired.com/story/opioids-havent-solved-chronic-pain-maybe-virtual-reality-can/
Painsomnia the difficulty of falling and staying asleep when dealing with chronic pain is a real challenge for painiacs. Research shows that one of the most important predictors for pain intensity is the number of hours slept the night before. If you sleep poorly, your pain will likely be worse the next day. Years ago, when the pain I live with was at its worst, I was unable to lie down flat in a bed. My back was so rigid and contorted in spasms that In fact, it was so impossible for me to lit flat that I had to get an MRI under anesthesia so that I could fit inside of the MRI machine. I would dread going to sleep at night. Whenever it would get dark, I would tense up and get nervous about the idea of trying to go to sleep. I started to develop simple practices that helped me find comfort, which started to change my sleep habits.
In preparation for this episode, I asked some of our Painiac community members to share their personal tips for sleeping well with chronic pain. I hope that this episode offers you some new and creative ways to rest better and sleep well. So grab a cup of tea or a cozy blanket and curl up while we explore the world of sleep.
What does fear do to us? Fear shows us what we do not know. When we’re scared, if we peel back those layers of fear, we usually find that we are afraid of the unknown, of outcomes that we can’t predict and unforeseen obstacles that we can’t anticipate. Pain reminds us that we aren’t unbreakable. I took a walk in the forest the other day, the moss was deep green and the trees were dripping onto the soggy leaf-strewn trail because it had just rained the night before. The question of fear crept into my mind. What are we afraid of? In this episode, follow along with me as I explore fear, doubt, and being breakable.
"When you go through pain, we all will, some way and someday, hit rock bottom, and we will find that strength to keep going and to keep moving on." In 2014, Danielle experienced an accident that left her with debilitating neck pain that became chronic. I loved this conversation with Danielle, and I know you’ll love it too. I find her so bright and full of life and strength.
We talk about working and being self-employed (and being a wife and mom) while living with challenges like chronic pain, and the unexpected obstacles that arise when living with difficulties. She shares tips and tools to build your own confidence to help you feel empowered to do the work you need to do even if you are living with hard things and it feels impossible to carry on. Plus, Danielle is a former firefighter. Yeah, she's incredible! I hope you get something out of this conversation.
Welcome back to Painiac! In this short episode, Shelly kicks off Season Two of Painiac the Podcast. Learn more about what you can expect from this upcoming season!
Hi, this is Shelly. I hear you loud and clear, painiacs. You're ready for season two to start, and I'm ready to get it off the ground. Join me for an update on season two of Painiac, and hear how you can help support the continuation of the show. Painiac the podcast is free and widely available to anyone in the world who has access to a wifi connection. My mission is that Painiac is, and always will be, a free resource for people who need it because more people need free, accessible resources for pain management, and that’s where you come in.
I’ve started an online fundraiser on GoFundMe. We’re looking to raise some money to help cover the cost of editing services, hosting, and recording equipment. I love Painiac, but it’s a project that takes an enormous amount of time, energy, and my own resources to produce. I’m asking that if you love Painiac, and you’ve gotten anything from its message, that you please make a donation today. When you contribute to Painiac, you’ll help me and my team continue to reach more people who need support.
Ready to contribute? Head to
http://bit.ly/2xfE9h6 to easily donate to Painaic season two.
If you aren't able to make a financial contribution today, please share this link with your community, and write a review for Painiac in iTunes.
Thanks in advance,
Shelly
In this season one finale episode of Painiac the Podcast, Shelly reflects back on what we've learned, discussed, and shared in the inaugural season of the show. She also shares wisdom about what it means to continue on the path of mindful pain management and encourages listeners to commit to changing their relationship to pain. Be sure to download the supplemental mp3 Body Scan Meditation for Pain Management on our website at www.peacefulbodycoaching.com
Now more than ever, chronic pain patients are considering using medical marijuana for pain relief from a myriad of conditions such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, seizure disorders, back pain, arthritis, anxiety, and migraines, just to name a few. If it works, and it’s legal in many places around the world, including in the US, then why is it such a challenge to find reliable, research-based, accurate information about what to take, how to take it, and where to get it.
Why is there such a stigma attached to medical marijuana when serious narcotics and pain meds are widely prescribed, despite dangerous side effects? In this episode, Join Shelly in conversation with Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical doctor who specializes in treating patients with medical marijuana.
Dr. Patel addresses and responds to listeners’ concerns and questions about the ins and out of using medical marijuana to manage pain. She breaks down the pain-relieving chemical compounds in marijuana, discusses the various gentle methods of using marijuana (other than smoking it), explains the importance of using high-quality lab-tested products, shares how to avoid the undesired side effects of marijuana, including feeling “high”, and provides insight as to what to look for when finding a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana. You don’t want to miss this episode!
Today we’re talking with licensed acupuncturist and herbalist Kirsten Cowan. Kirsten is trained as a physician of traditional Chinese medicine and she’s also the founder of Angelica and Peony, a natural health and wellness beauty product line inspired by herbal medicine. I asked Kirsten to join us to talk about holistic medicine and to discuss natural remedies for pain relief that are easy to integrate into your daily life and routine.
Kira is a coach and counsellor, and the author of Aches, Pains, and Love: A Guide to Dating and Relationships for Those With Chronic Pain and Illness. In her book, Kira provides down-to-earth, practical advice drawn from 20 years of experience living with a chronic pain condition. Shelly and Kira talk about the many challenges and obstacles of learning to date, love, and be intimate while living with pain, as well as some of the ins and outs of Kira’s multi-decade journey of living with chronic pain and illness.
One of the fundamental foundations of mindful pain management is all about the practice of prioritizing the ultimate health and wellness of YOU. It’s about taking active steps to better manage the pain so that you can continue to thrive and live, rather than stay feeling helpless or stuck. Today, we’re talking all about self-care treatments you can do yourself with that are free or really affordable. More instructions, recipes, and resources are included on our website at www.peacefulbodycoaching.com
Today we are featuring a conversation with a powerful painiac, Jen Lake. Jen is an East Coast transplant living life in the high deserts of New Mexico with her better half, Trevor, and her pack of three very large rescue pups, Miesha, T-Bone and Bumper.
By day, Jen is a web designer and photographer, but by night, she is a graduate student working on a dual masters is Business Administration and Information Systems and Assurance. Jen is also a 2016 Schwinn Bicycle Ambassador. In 2014, Jen underwent brain surgery and a fusion of her cervical spine to address a condition called Chiari Malformation, and then, in 2015, she underwent a second surgery on her back to address a tethered spinal cord.
From these experiences, Jen developed a passion for not only wellness but for inspiring others on their own health journeys. Outside of studying and practicing wellness and self-care, Jen likes to spend her free time scrap-booking, baking gluten-free desserts, drinking chai lattes, and chronicling her daily life on Instagram and her blog.
In this week’s episode Shelly talks about an important piece of mindful pain management: pacing and how to manage our expectations about our goals and productivity. Pacing is all about managing our activity level and energy output in order to maintain a healthy baseline of pain.
Just like with all aspects of mindful pain management, effectively pacing and managing expectations requires you to increase your self-awareness and personal connection to both mind and body. There are studies that show that serious issues can arise in the mind and body from overactivity and even underactivity. When we take time to rest we feel like we aren't getting enough done, but when we push through the pain and work even harder, our bodies pay for it in flare-ups.
So why can it be such a challenge to pace ourselves to avoid burnout and flare-ups? Pacing is all about doing what you can when you can and doing less when you can’t do a lot. It’s paying attention to your activity levels, how you feel during activities, and your energy levels at certain times of the day. It’s all about managing those expectations with flexibility, patience and a little forgiveness.
With some simple guidelines to follow, you can start pacing yourself in a safe, effective, and efficient way.
Focusing is an experiential, body-oriented process of self-awareness and emotional healing. It can help you manage the overwhelming emotions and strong physical sensations of pain that disrupt your overall sense of well-being and ability to live your life with ease.
Today, Shelly speaks with Anne Weiser Cornell. Anne is internationally recognized as one of the leading innovators and theoreticians of Focusing. She has taught Focusing in nineteen countries, and her Focusing books and manuals have been translated into seven other languages.
When living with pain it can be a challenge to feel as productive as you once were. It can feel like you can’t get anything done on your to do list. Everything, especially goals, can feel out of reach.
Even without including pain into the equation, in general, Goals can be so overwhelming as a concept, but it doesn't have to be like that. Listen in to learn more about the importance of how to be intentional about what kind of goals we set for ourselves.
The key isn’t to create less goals, or less involved and ambitious goals. Instead, it’s to create more intentional, inspired and manageable goals.
Today we’re featuring a powerful painiac, Jennifer Lesea-Ames. Jen is a former triathlete and training coach, who lived an active life until congenital bilateral hip dysplasia caused her to be debilitated from pain. She’s the editor of Onward: Navigating through Hip Dysplasia, Periacetabular Osteotomy Surgery and Beyond. And she now manages the website and online community The PAO Project, which provide resources for those live with hip dysplasia and hip pain. She also designs and sells inspiring affirmation jewelry.
Let’s face it. Living with chronic pain or chronic illness isn’t “sexy”. Not only can living with pain make us feel uncomfortable in our daily lives, but especially in the bedroom and in our intimate relationships.
Studies estimate that 75% of people living with chronic pain experience some form of emotional and sexual dissatisfaction, discomfort, or dysfunction. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s possible to have a satisfying sex life and healthy intimate relationships, even while living with pain. This week, Shelly talks with Kirsten Schultz of Chronic Sex. Together, they discuss common quality of life issues and challenges that painiacs face when it comes to cultivating and maintaining intimacy with ourselves and others. *This episode, while not graphic, does contain content that might not be suitable for young children.
Why is it so hard to take time for self-care? When living with pain, it can feel like all we do is think about how we want to feel better, but do we actually make caring for our bodies a priority? Unfortunately, self-care is often placed on the bottom of our to-do lists, which only results in an increase in pain. But it doesn’t have to be so hard.
Join Shelly in this week’s episode for a conversation about self-care and self-love with Sarah Steckler, a creative self-love coach. This episode will discuss why it can be a challenge to make time for self-care, and will provide practical and easy to manage tips for making self-care a constant in your daily routine.
Living with chronic pain is hard enough, but when you add the typical strains of travel like jet lag, uncomfortable seats, unpredictable accommodations, and general exhaustion, pain can increase and be difficult to manage. Whether traveling for work or for fun, it doesn’t have to be so painful and worrisome and it doesn’t have to be impossible, either!
Today we are talking about some easy tips you can do to help make your trip more manageable and enjoyable; all it takes is a little planning and preparation.