So simple Relaxation Technique for Pain Control

Learning to relax really is a skill. We live in a constant state of flight or fight. Learning to shut that down, even if it is only for 30 second increments is a powerful tool.
After practicing this technique for a week I can say it is something we should all learn and add to our coping skills toolbox. I have not counted to confirm that I am up to 20 mini-practices a day, but the cumulative affect of the number I am doing is very positive. I have a greater feeling of control over my emotions and enjoy the short sensations of relaxation. They are kind of addicting! I find myself doing one each time I wash my hands – and I am compulsive hand washer.
Try it for yourself. It is such a simple and useful technique there really is no reason not to try it. The researcher did mention that some people have an aversion to the word “relax” (feels too harsh), and if this is the case with you, it is perfectly acceptable to find your own word – chill, easy, breath, etc.
Mini-Practices
For relaxation to benefit you the most, you need to learn how to relax and calm yourself upon your command. This skill can be very helpful when you are feeling increased tension or pain, but are unable to go to a secluded area to do progressive relaxation.

To Do a Mini-Practice:

1. Stop yourself in whatever you are doing
2. Take a deep breath
3. Say the word “relax” to yourself
4. Slowly exhale
5. As you exhale focus on the sensations of relaxation
6. Allow your jaws to relax, allow sensations of heaviness to flow downward from your shoulders throughout your body
7. After 30 seconds go back to what you were doing – regardless of how well you have succeeded in relaxing

Reminders to do Mini-Practices
Your goal is to do about 5 mini-practices the first day and then gradually build up to about 20 mini-practices a day over the next few weeks. You can remind yourself to do a mini-practice in many different ways. Some people do a mini-practice every time they feel annoyed or tense. Other people do one every time they stop at a stop light or pick up the telephone. You can remind yourself to do a mini-practice by placing adhesive “dots” around the house (by the door, near your mirror) or on personal belongings (such as a watch, or pocketbook). Every time you see a “dot” you will be reminded to do a mini-practice.
It doesn’t matter how you choose to remind yourself to relax, what is important is that you practice frequently. Little by little you can develop a habit of keeping yourself relaxed throughout the day.
Thanks to Fibro Haven for this great article.

John Kennedy was a fighter of Addison's Disease

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy, United States president from 1961 to 1963, was one of the best-known people with Addison's disease. A lot of secrecy surrounded his health while he was president.
He was possibly one of the first Addisonians to survive major surgery as he had back surgery.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of John F. Kennedy's sisters, was also believed to have Addison's disease.
Kennedy’s early medical records show that he had constant infections during infancy, and scarlet fever, joint pain, headaches, and fevers. Afer this his health continued to decline.
In 1955 he began a series of treatments from Dr. Janet G. Travell who set up a combination of medications and exercise that allowed him to continue his political career.  Dr. Travell managed Kennedy's constant pain with cortisone shots and movement in a rocking chair which was to keep the sitter active and using the muscles passively to rock, amongst other things. Interestingly she was the author of a series of groundbreaking books possibly be one of the largest milestones in pain elimination ever written:  
Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Vol. 1 The Trigger Point Manual, The Upper Extremities
Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual; Vol. 2., The Lower Extremities

More information and support for people with Addison's Disease.
SOURCES:

• Nicholas JA, Burstein CL, Umberger CJ, Wilson PD (Nov. 1955) "Management of adrenocortical insufficiency during surgery". AMA 
• Owen, David (May 2003) "Diseased, demented, depressed: serious illness in Heads of State".
• Janet Travell MD.com

Irish Health Cure

A good laugh and a long sleep

are the best cures in the doctor's book.

- Irish Proverb

You may be interested in Laughter and Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes

Share your story about autoimmune disease

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Pig parasite may help treat autoimmune disorders

BOSTON (Reuters) - If you had a chronic and potentially debilitating condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, and swallowing the eggs of a pig parasite could help, would you do it?

The team at Coronado Biosciences Inc is betting you would.

The Burlington, Massachusetts, company is developing what it hopes will be the first in a new class of treatments for autoimmune conditions.

READ FULL ARTICLE at Chicago Tribune

Autoimmune disease recommendations

General recommendations by Sandra Cabot

• Follow the Liver Cleansing Diet
• Avoid gluten - this is found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut and many processed foods containing wheat starch.  All people with autoimmune disease must avoid gluten for life.
• Avoid dairy foods such as ice-cream, butter, cream and milk. Use a variety of different milk such as malt free soy, almond or coconut milk.
• Avoid deep fried foods and preserved meats.
• Avoid chicken and eggs that are not organic - as they may contain artificial growth hormones, steroids and antibiotic residues.
• Never use artificial sweeteners
• If you are menopausal and are taking oral synthetic hormone replacement, it would be much safer for you to use a more natural form of HRT that is not processed through the liver, such as a natural hormonal cream or lozenge.

PURCHASE:
Liver Cleansing Diet on Kindle only $9.95
The Liver Cleansing Diet BOOK

Who gets autoimmune diseases?

Studies have shown that the incidence of autoimmune disease tends to be highest in the developed world, and is highest there among upper-income groups. Weinstock (from the  University of Iowa) and others hypothesize that the elimination of certain intestinal parasites may have led to the loss in some individuals of a key mechanism for modulating the immune system.
Millions of organisms, including viruses, bacteria and worms, enter the body through contact with dirt. Researchers believe many of these organisms are needed to train the body's immune system to recognize and fight disease.
"Microbes have adapted to us, and us to them, and we use them to stimulate our immune system," said Dennis Kasper, a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunobiology at Harvard Medical School.
SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

Inspiring Health

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
Foster McClellan

Reducing inflammation with supplements: Quercetin

ANOTHER REASON TO DRINK IT:GREEN TEA CONTAINS QUERCETIN Previously we have discussed the value of Tumeric in reducing inflammation and today we will consider Quercetin.

Like turmeric, it is a good anti-inflammatory, but works in a different way. Apparently this is why they can and should be used together to be even more effective in fighting inflammation. What is Quercetin and where can we find it? It is a flavonoid, or plant pigment, found in a number of fruits and vegetables and other foods including green tea, onions, apples, berries and buckwheat. It is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. What does Quercetin treat?Quercetin is used for treating conditions of the heart and blood vessels including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, heart disease, and circulation problems. It is also used for diabetes, cataracts, hay fever, peptic ulcer,schizophrenia, inflammation, asthma, gout, viral infections, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), preventing cancer, and for treating chronic infections of the prostate. Quercetin is also used to increase endurance and improve athletic performance. Safety of Quercetin: Quercetin is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth short-term. Quercetin has been safely used in amounts up to 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. It is not known if longer-term use or larger amounts are safe.* Read real stories of people taking Quercetin and the benefits for arthritic and other conditions here RESOURCES: *WebMD.com/vitamins-supplements/Quercetin