Wyatt Myers - The Pain-Proof Pocket Guide: Stop Hurting and Start Living Today!

I t sounds like such a simple process: When something goes wrong in your body, nerves at the source act like a high-speed modem, sending a message instantaneously to your brain. Your brain takes this signal, interprets itand the result? Pain. But anyone whos dealing with chronic pain knows its not that simple when youre feeling it, and its sure as heck not that simple to get rid of.

But take heartwhats really presenting itself here is a golden opportunity not only to alleviate pain, but also to live a lifestyle that will help your health in many other ways! (Which will then help you relieve or prevent other painful conditions!)

A number of simple changesfrom eating healthier to perfecting your posture to practicing meditation will help you live the pain-free way. Throughout this book, youll find simple can-do strategies, easy-to-use shopping lists, and exercise routines, and learn how to use them effectively as part of your new pain prescription. Well even share inspiring stories from real people who eliminated their pain following this easy-to-use plan.

Bed rest, pills, and surgery used to be the mainstays of many conventional pain treatment programs, but the last few years have seen a very welcome recognition of alternative and self-care strategies that allow you to live the active life you crave. Heres an overview of the therapies that well detail on the following pages and how theyll change your life.

HEALING FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS. Recent research has shown that specific foods, such as cherries for gout and fatty fish for arthritis, can help alleviate pain when included as part of a healthy diet. See page 19.

STRETCHING AND EXERCISE. The idea of resting until the pain goes away is thankfully a notion of the past. Exercise can help lessen all types of pain, from arthritis to lower back pain. See page 51.

Working with Your Doctor

Of course, your doctor should also play an important role in helping you manage pain. A physicians primary role is to educate patients about their chronic pain, what elements can create complications, and different techniques that can help them understand how to live with it, says Charles Gagnon, DO, medical director of the Concentra Medical Center in Phoenix.

Medications ranging from over-the-counter pain relievers to steroids to antidepressants can also play a role in managing many types of pain effectively. Alternative therapies for pain treatmentyoull read about many of them in this bookare gaining recognition, and many doctors not only know about them but also embrace them.

In fact, a good doctor should be able to point you in the right direction for some of these other therapies, so dont be afraid to ask him or her about some of the things you will read about in this book. And if your doctors not receptive to it, dont be afraid to find one who is!

YOGA. In a 2009 review article of eight studies of people who did yoga to ease their osteoarthritis-related pain and improve their function, all eight showed great improvement in their pain relief. We have a complete, illustrated yoga routine for pain on page 73.

Pain by the Numbers

If you think youre alone in your pain, check out these statistics on other Americans in pain to start feeling a little better.

Migraine headaches: 30 million

Osteoarthritis: 27 million

Chronic lower back pain: 26 million

Carpal tunnel syndrome: 4 million to 10 million

neck pain: 9 million

Fibromyalgia: 5 million

Gout: 3 million

Plantar fasciitis: 2 million

Rheumatoid arthritis: 1.3 million

A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. For many, pain and sleep can present a vicious catch-22. But there are a number of simple strategies that can help you get a restful night of shut-eye. See page 97.

ERGONOMICS. When it comes to pain management, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. By simply arranging your home, your workplace, and your life in a way that prevents pain, youll gain a great deal of relief. See page 111.

These are just a handful of the many pain-proofing strategies youll find in the pages of this book. Whether its chowing down on delicious cherries, taking the perfect supplement, or enjoying a gentle self-massage at home, keep reading for everything you need to put pain in its place and learn to live your life pain free!