Bursitis is a very common musculoskeletal diagnosis. This ‘inflammatory’ disorder affects the bursae, small sacs filled with fluid that cushion and lubricate the spaces between bones, tendons, muscles, and skin. Yet, despite how common it is, bursitis remains widely misunderstood.
Pain is a symptom. Symptoms are the feedback that the body generates when it faces problems with its delicate internal balance (homeostasis). Without symptoms like pain, thirst, nausea and fevers, it would be very difficult for us to maintain a healthy body in the same way that it would be hard to drive a car safely with no dashboard display.
We long to be ‘pain-free’. Because physical pain is somehow the opposite of physical freedom, it places terrible limitations on the variety, quality, and vibrancy of the life we are able to lead.
John is one of those rare gentlemen who has continued to play competitive soccer well into his late 50s. He is in really good shape, which you need to be to play football at that age—good shape except for his left leg. His left leg is not in good condition at all. In fact, once you get to know his left leg a bit better, it becomes apparent that it's miraculous that he's able to run at all, Let alone the type of running required to play competitive soccer against younger men.
Steve was a fixer, the kind of person you would trust to get a job done. He was a resourceful and intelligent business coach with 20 years of experience pulling small business owners out of deep stressful-filled holes they mostly dug for themselves.
Few things in life deserve more respect and appreciation than science. Science has made our lives so much easier, warmer, drier and safer that it is hard to fathom.
After using intensive cupping therapy to support remedial care of chronic pain patients for nearly 20 years, I feel an incredible weight of responsibility. To help people understand this often overlooked but vital tool in the box of remedial pain management techniques.
There is nothing wrong whatsoever with seeking pharmaceutical pain relief to tide you over until real healing of your chronic pain starts to take effect. But in most instances, seeking real answers to chronic pain from your family doctor is a highly questionable endeavour. Doctors are trained and equipped to treat medical issues.
People who have suffered a manageable amount of pain seek relief, while those who have suffered an unmanageable amount of pain seek resolution. Resolution of pain means wishing for it to go away and never come back. Both relief and resolution are possible for most pains. But in order to take a realistic shot at pain resolution, most people need first to make a mind resolution. A resolution to do whatever it takes to reclaim their life, relationships and health from the grip of chronic pain and underlying causes.
Using hormetic (healthy) stress to heal painful tissues is a crucial element of pain management.. Even for pains that are predominantly nervous system based (like PTSD-associated pain), there is great value in healing and strengthening painful tissues.