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Welcome to the PainSupport Newsletter
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Editor: Jan Sadler of PainSupport
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No.197 August 2011
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Doing too much?
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by Jan Sadler
of PainSupport
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www.painsupport.co.uk
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© Jan Sadler 2011
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When pain enters our lives, we often expect too much of
ourselves. When we push ourselves too hard it usually results in an
increase of pain. Extra pain is your body's way of telling you,
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"Hey, you're doing too much!"
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If you don't listen to the message your body will let you
know in an even stronger way that you are doing more than it can cope
with. You may find you have more pain, or even illness. The goals you are
trying to reach may, for the moment, be unrealistic.
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Instead of getting frustrated with yourself,
there is a better way of handling this…
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We often treat ourselves in a different way from how we
treat others. If a small child or a pet animal had your pain, you
wouldn't dream of trying to make it carry on doing something that would
hurt it even more! Instead you would find ways to comfort and be kind to
the child or animal and do what you could to relieve the pain.
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This is exactly the way to treat you, yourself. Your
pain is something that is part of you and so you need to do your
best for it rather than do things that aggravate it. You, too, like the
child or pet, need to be nurtured and receive consideration and kindness.
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So take a moment to stop and find
out what your pain needs by saying quietly to yourself,
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"If I was
being kind to myself, what would I be doing?"
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Then ‘listen’ carefully to yourself for an answer. You may
get an idea, a word or a picture flash into your mind. The sort of
messages you might 'receive' may be along the lines of:
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"Relax",
"Take a break", "Stop bending down", "Say
'No'", "Ask for more help" or "Stop putting pressure
on yourself".
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Just be open to this idea of asking your inner self for
advice and take note of the first thoughts or ideas that come to your
mind. Sometimes you may be surprised by the answer that drops into
your mind. If, at first, you don't receive any 'messages', don't
give up on it, keep practising, relax around the idea, and something will
come. With practice your confidence in the technique will
grow and you will find this is valuable addition to your kit of
pain control skills.
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Most importantly, act upon what your inner self has
suggested. You will soon find the best way forward towards feeling
calm and in control of your pain.
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Here are some of the ways you can respect your body and your
pain…
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Pacing,
pacing, pacing! Pace your activities so you don't overdo things. Do
things 'little and often', small steps at a time and don't take on too
much at once. Change your activity often, eg
sitting to moving about, lying down to walking or stretching.
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Become more
aware of your body and emotions and of how one affects the
other.
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Relaxation. Deep relaxation
really does relieve pain! Listen to a CD or download. We have plenty
that are really effective on offer on the PainSupport website.
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Breathe! Use gentle and
slow breathing methods – There's a lovely one to try further below that I
often use myself.
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Widen your
life. Set goals and find new activities that you can do, even if it's only for ten
minutes at a time.
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Exercise appropriately
for your condition. Get out for some fresh air every day if you can.
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Find
a good support team: doctors, complementary therapists,
family, friends, on-line groups.
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Be thankful. Instead
of focusing on all that you are not,
try focusing on all that you are. There is more
to you, and in your life, than your pain. Count, and be appreciative of
the many ways you are blessed in your life. Include the simple things,
like flowers, a beautiful view, and good food.
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Smile! A smile
goes a long way. Smiling makes you feel more peaceful and contented.
Smiling encourages others to smile back. Everyone benefits from the 'happy
hormones' produced by the simple act of smiling. Even if you don't feel
like smiling, 'fake it till you make it' - your
subconscious will still react in the same way and you will gradually
smile more for real.
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Most of all, respect your body and your pain and
do things which bring you peace and comfort.
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Now try this
relaxing breathing technique
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Give yourself a few quiet moments
and then, imagine breathing in warmth and comfort to your body. Then
imagine the comforting breath as being a colour you find particularly
soothing, perhaps gold, blue or pink. Imagine the colour flowing all
around your body, comforting and relaxing it.
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As you breathe out, allow your
body to soften and relax and let the pain float away on the out-breath.
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Repeat the process, for as long as
you need. You will find you can lessen your pain and even make it disappear
for a while. And you will feel so much better for knowing that you
achieved this yourself, in only a few moments, simply by being kind to
yourself and caring for your body.
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Enjoy your day, take it
easy - and be kind to yourself!
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© Jan Sadler of PainSupport, www.painsupport.co.uk
2011
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TIP
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See PainSupport’s
pages on positive thinking:
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http://www.painsupport.co.uk/pages/positivethinking.asp
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Stress Reducing Tip
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Too busy, in a rush?
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Get rid
of the stress with the 'four Ds' method
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Go through your to-do list and decide which action to take:
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Do it now!
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Delay it.
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Delegate it to someone else.
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Don't Do it - Ditch
it!
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This
will clear your mind, you will easily see which action to take for each
item and allow your day to flow.
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It worked for me!
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UK
PainSupport member, Ann R, says,
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"I found pulling out plugs from their
sockets caused muscle spasms so we now have plugs with small handles. A
bit dearer than ordinary plugs but even the family think they are
better! Best wishes, Ann."
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Editor: This one at Amazon is the cheapest
I could find, it is £3.15 with free shipping.
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www.amazon.co.uk
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Please tell us!!
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If you
try any product or idea that helps you in some way please let us know. Even
if it only reduces symptoms a little, it may help others too.
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ItWorkedForMe@PainSupport.co.uk
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‘Pain Relief Without Drugs’.
Book and/or CD by Jan Sadler of
PainSupport
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This highly successful book is easy to read, overflowing with
ideas, information and practical, simple techniques to reduce and gain
control over pain. It's perfect for dipping in and out. The Foreword
is by world-renowned specialist in pain, Professor Patrick Wall.
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The CD can be bought separately or
buy the book and get the CD included. The CD will take you through many
really useful and practical pain-relieving techniques. You can practice
along with Jan as she demonstrates the techniques, plus you can enjoy
truly relaxing and healing relaxation and visualisation sessions.
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Mrs RA, York,UK, says,
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"I have
your book by me constantly. It is a source of inspiration and
comfort and helped me enormously. Thank you so much."
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Book: http://www.painsupport.co.uk/products/books.asp
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CD: www.painsupport.co.uk/products/cdsdownloads.asp
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www.perfectrelaxation.com/generalrelaxationcds.htm
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Use your Library to find pain management
tools
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I recently received an email from Surrey Libraries saying
that in Surrey they have a pain
management section in their libraries, they say:
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Read Yourself
Well is a collection of self help and fiction titles that are designed to
support you with a variety of health problems, including pain. For more
information about what we offer please visit our website:
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www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries/wellbeing
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or email us:
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libraries@surreycc.gov.uk
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So if you live in Surrey, go
along to your local library and see what they have on offer.
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If you don't live in Surrey,
does your local Library have a special pain relief section for books and
CDs, perhaps with relaxation and pain management sessions available too?
If not, ask if they could – our Libraries have excellent facilities and
are always pleased to be given suggestions of how to improve their
service to their local communities.
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56 things
to do while recovering from surgery or a pain flare-up
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About to undergo surgery? With a little planning, you can
make the most of your recovery period. To help get you started, here is a
list compiled from Spine-health.com Message Board. This list was written
specifically for people having back surgery, but many of these
suggestions apply to most types of surgery.
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www.spine-health.com/blog/surgery/56-things-do-while-recovering-surgery
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We're on Facebook
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Visit
our new Facebook page – we hope you 'like' it!
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/PainSupport/224172004278590
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PainSupport Newsletter and Tool Kit
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You are welcome to forward this newsletter to your
friends. Click the link below if you haven't already signed up for PainSupport's monthly email newsletter and the FREE
downloadable PainSupport Tool Kit booklet.
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(NB image is not of the actual
PainSupport ToolKit!)
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You need your Tool Kit for when
pain flares up. You will then have some great ideas at hand for getting
your pain under control.
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Sign me up for
the Newsletter and the link to the Tool Kit booklet!
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signmeup@painsupport.co.uk
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I already
receive the Newsletter but would like to download the Tool Kit booklet.
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Send me the Tool Kit please!
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NB Keep your Pain
Logs in your Tool Kit – you can find a link to the Logs near the end of
the newsletter.
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The
PainSupport Contact Club and Discussion Forum
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An Invitation…
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If you’re not already a member,
why not join our free, highly successful Confidential Contact Club and
Discussion Forum? Ease the pain by sharing life's ups and downs with those
who understand – and perhaps find some answers too. Here is message
recently received from Sharon, a member of the PainSupport Contact Club,
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"I'd like
to thank you for running the forum and contact club I have met a lot of
great people in both these places who have given me great support and
help. Thanks so very much for all your hard work behind the scenes to
keep us all in touch with each other, also for all the great info you
provide. I can honestly say at times I dont
know what I would have done without the help of some people I've met
here, Just knowing I'm not alone in my daily struggles has been great."
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Join or Login the Contact Club for new friends...
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http://www.painsupport.co.uk/connect/contactclub.asp
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STOP PRESS!
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Some of the
latest forum topics – join in and have your say!
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Disability Living Allowance problems
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Fibromyalgia and pain
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The Mobiliser device by Back in
Action
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Learning to live with the pain
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Pins and needles and numbness in leg
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Vitamin D Deficiency
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Antidepressants for pain relief
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Tactless comments from friends
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Laughter is the best medicine
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Applying for benefits
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TENs pain relief
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Adhesions
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Join or Login the Discussion Forum…
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http://www.painsupport.co.uk/connect/dfviewtopics.asp
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Words of wisdom
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Just for today, I will have a plan. I may not follow it exactly, but I will
have it, thereby saving myself from three pests: hurry, indecision - and
overdoing things.
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Keep Smiling…
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Car Jokes
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Have you ever
noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going
faster than you is a maniac.
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Did you ever
notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you
take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.
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Editor’s Note
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I hope you find the above ideas
useful. For more information and ideas for pain relief, please go to the
PainSupport and/or Perfect Relaxation websites, addresses below.
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All best wishes – and keep smiling!
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Jan at PainSupport
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www.painsupport.co.uk
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www.perfectrelaxation.com
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Your FREE Pain Logs!
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Print as many copies as you need. They will help you keep
track of your pain, find out what affects it, and can be use for medical
consultations to show your doctor how your pain affects you.
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a) The log below will be a record of your actual pain
level.
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www.painsupport.co.uk/enewsletter/painlevelslog.pdf
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b) The log below will help you to discover how your
activities and feelings may affect your pain.
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www.painsupport.co.uk/enewsletter/painfeelingsandactivitylog.pdf
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You may print the above
Newsletter for your own personal and private use but if you wish to use
all or part of it for any other reason, please ask first. Copyright belongs to Jan Sadler.
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Many of the tips in this
Newsletter are not from medical sources, so please use your own
discretion or, preferably, check it out with your doctor, before trying
any of the suggestions as some herbs and supplements may interact with any
medication you may be taking. Please also have any undiagnosed pain
checked out by a doctor.
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Products, sites and
organisations mentioned in the Newsletter are merely being brought to
your attention. Check everything yourself before purchasing or acting on
any of the information. PainSupport is not responsible for the content of
any other website mentioned. PainSupport NEVER passes on your email
address to anyone else without your prior permission.
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We hope you enjoyed reading
this newsletter. However, if you'd rather not receive future PainSupport
newsletters, please let us know. unsubscribe@painsupport.co.uk
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Copyright © Jan Sadler 2011
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