2014 +Happy New Year! +New Hope! +Brave Ideas! +Amazing Good Fortune!

A Pale Blue Dot..!

Happy New Year everyone! I want to go over a +habit-forming-method-of-self-help for you to treat your +persistent-pain which works! Here we are, it's 2014 and a +new-beginning. And now we have the most to gain from +our-collective-good-will. +Positive-thought will overcome pain, as more and more research points to the fact that our mind is in control of our +PAIN. It's a 'toolbox/a tool-kit'. But forward we can not go, unless we have the first tool in our tool-kit. #1 Acceptance. We need acceptance In our hearts for the persistent-pain we're feeling and experiencing in our bodies! 


For me, +Acceptance was a bitter pill to swallow, because I thought I would be able to miraculously wake-up one morning and I'd be pain-free! (Doh!) - But happily, since changing my attitude to MY-pain, and a lot of help and training from my 'pain-team', I have reduced my 'drug-loading' by 50% in the last six months, by learning to use my mind and also exercising my body, together! Our brains are the most important 'tool in the shed', but we have to use our mind/body tools together - everyday!

A New Year - New Growth

It's working for me now, because of another thing I didn't really give any credit to in the beginning. My-Fellow-PAIN-People! Simply strangers to me at first. Just ordinary folk 6-months ago, though they soon became my '+new-friends-in-pain'! These people are the 'power-tools' in the toolbox - my fellow friends and '+chronic-pain-sufferers' that collectively have become my #2, '+my support-team'. And we quickly made a bond. A friendship forged through sweat and tears, that will grow, and prosper alongside our families and GP's/Specialists Teams. It's these folks that are so important to me because we can keep in touch 'read' each others' pain-signals - and together we'll keep each other supported if we waiver..



Yes, I mentioned 'waivering' because I have been bad, bad, bad, bad. Besides the feelings like, ..'No-I'm-not-getting-out-of-bed-today'.. (which I confess to be going through a phase at this present moment), but I also need to confess to you some choices I've made recently. The timing of which is poor (Xmas/New Year - and which I described in detail in my previous blog-post on 11th Dec 2013), but I was thinking I should have been doing something which is high on my list of priorities. Pacing! Or in my case, the lack of pacing. I've been told by my 'pain-team' - Glendon, you're a 'boom-and-buster!' Yes sir! ..Guilty as charged!

Yes, I am faster than you Dad - hurry..!

Our beloved Zeus - the wonder dog!

So, I thought that if I went walking with our mut - 'Zeus'-the-wonder-dog', that together we could build my strength and stamina back to a point where my fitness would allow me to take the next step - and get back on the exercise machines, every-other-day! But, alas, my mind forgets - that my body is 47, and not 17. And, a little more finesse and style is required here. Translated - that just means T-I-M-E, lots of time is the secret ingredient in my recovery. And so, #3 - PACING is the hard-learned, special 'herbs and spices' in this '+regimen-recipe-for-recovery'!



This brings me to #4  (+Prioritising and +Planning out my Days!) Now, this is something I'm still learning to do too, painfully at times. Ok. You can call me pig-headed; and stubborn; a hypocrite (my wife J does - when I 'backslide'!); All these synonyms fit me from time to time. I admit it - I'm flawed! But, if it weren't for my family putting me in my place, I'd be totally intolerable! I have a 2014 diary now and I'm bloody-well using it too, so I can remember the things I've forgotten to do...Lol.



#5. '+Setting-goals and +action-plans! Historically, I've had trouble with this concept too! So I need to be ever diligent in avoiding 'pot-holes'. Baby steps; one-step-at-a-time; one-foot-in-front-of-the-other; All rather apt - with my recent efforts and injuries - and self-inflicted too!

Be Patient like the rock-face - but not a patient..!

#6. Being patient with yourself! This is where I need to get up off my seat and have a belly laugh at myself! We all have different levels of patience, so I'm not going to lecture you here. But, I like this line - "..OK, now just hurry-up and wait!.." Actually, some say patience isn't a weakness - it's a sign of strength!


#7. Learn relaxation skills! I found by simply doing some "..belly-breathing.." and drawing in air into our lungs slowly, fully - really does work. This is incredibly easy to master and very beneficial to the body. If you're able to do gardening - is great (not my favourite, though). Walking to the coffee shop is cool to do! Even reading a favourite book, or doing some craft-work can get the whole body relaxed!

Achieving milestones - makes for a hard rock party..!

#8. Stretching and exercise! Can be very beneficial with proven-long-lasting effects on the body. It is always better with a friend - even 4-legged companions! Make sure you space the exercise with a rest-day in between, so your body can recover properly.



#9. Keep a diary and track your progress! This is vital to reward your self when you achieve milestones. And very handy to 'pick-up-where-you-left-off' - if you had to have a break for whatever reason, sometimes it's hard to remember where you're up to right!


#10. Have a 'setback-plan'! Helpful, if you have to STOP! Whether because of sickness, or injury (from over-doing-it), or you might be going through a 'bad-pain-days' phase. It's ok to have a setback. They're a normal thing to experience from time to time. If you're having difficulties with formulating a 'setback-plan' - go see you're GP or Healthcare Professional, He or She will only be too helpful to get you back-on-your-feet!


#11. Teamwork and action-planning! Remember this - you're not alone and you can expect to be achieving, improving, learning new skills. Your TEAM is made up of your GP/or HCP; and your Specialist-Doctor; and your Physiotherapist; and Workplace Health and Safety Doctor; and last but not least - your Family too! Lean on these folks to help get you back to your normal!

Nature = Perfect Teamwork

#12. Putting it into a daily routine! Keep up with your best effort - and before you realise it, you'll be well into a 'habit-forming-regime'. Do something for 3-months and it will become a habit - just like 'cleaning-your-teeth! Right! 



These clever ideas and things are all in a system devised by a UK-gentleman. He goes by the name of +Pete Moore. He lives with +persistent pain, +asthma and +osteoarthritis, and Pete has put these tools together with the help of his friends, Family and Health-Care-Professionals in England. 



Special acknowledgement also goes to the +Bradford-Pain-Rehabilitation-Programme team and also, the +NHS-Kirklees-PCT. These tools have helped myself and many, many people and could even help you too!  His system is called simply; "+The Pain Toolkit", and you can find it at; www.paintoolkit.org 

Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous 2014!

Cheers,
+Glendon...(+Goat Dodders).