I read this over the weekend…

People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.

- Jim Morrison

I don’t know if I 100% agree with everything said here. For example, I dislike the word “should” and I am not sure if I need to (want to?) stand up…but I think this is worth considering.

Jam of the day: Ra Ra Riot “When I Dream”

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Complimentary and alternative medicine

I am really becoming interested in our health care system this semester, largely due to the Biobehavioral Health class I’m currently taking. I’ve been intimidated by political topics in the past, debates on policy make me uncomfortable, and economics is way over my head, but I do want to make an effort to me more informed about this stuff because it deals with an industry I hope to be working in someday.

Here is another PBS video I recently watched on alternative therapies. It’s from 2003 but I think it still includes information that is relevant to health care today. I hope you guys find it interesting too!

(If you missed my previous post linking to a video on different national health care systems, here it is.)

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In my efforts to manage chronic pain, I have experience with both “conventional medicine” and CAM (complimentary and alternative medicine).

Reflecting on my own experiences, I don’t believe that either type of medicine is superior. I still have chronic pain. I haven’t found a treatment or therapy that has “cured” me and I doubt I will. I have been disappointed by both Western medical and alternative treatments, but I’ve also met people in both disciplines that offered me great advice and helped me get to the place I am at now. Though not “healed”, I function well enough for the moment!

Things I noted from the video:

• Many people think that conventional medicine doesn’t address the mind-body connection. Personally, I think this has started to shift in recent years (see the WHO’s definition of “health,” for example), but I’m sure there is still progress to be made.
• The lack of integration in treatment. Many people were seeking alternative therapies without telling their M.D.’s. I have been guilty of this, but I still find it rather unsettling.
• Subjecting alternative treatments to the same type of research as any other medication is important. Some treatments will be unsafe and some will not be better than existing therapies. On the other hand, some may work! Eliminating subjectivity (at least in my opinion) and integrating scientific research validates these treatments far more than an “old wives’ tale”.
• Take-away message for me: I think that everyone has a right to choose what therapy is best for them. Whether a person chooses “conventional” or “alternative” treatment matters less than being an informed consumer of medicine.

Can you tell from these notes that I’m also participating in a debate on empirically supported treatment tomorrow? In a different class, too! Man oh man, I can’t get away from this stuff. Very cool.

As always, if you have any thoughts I’d love to hear them.

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Have a beautiful, springy Wednesday!

PS – thank you for all the book recommendations yesterday! I added a ton to my list.

Jam of the day: Great Lake Swimmers “Easy Come Easy Go”

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Digest this

Hey, it’s Sunday!

I think I figured out what my deal is with break. Okay, I didn’t figure out. My best friend figured it out and told me.

I think my restless feelings are coming from the fact that for the past three weeks, the majority of my physical and mental energy has been devoted to school. I’m not lying. I’ve been a girl with a mission. Now that’s finished and my brain is trying to figure out what to do with itself. That makes a whole lot of sense!

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Moving on…

One thing I’ve been doing since I’ve been home is getting my eating back on track. Nutrition-wise I’m fine, but my eating during finals wasn’t the best for my digestion. I was doing a lot of light eating during the day while I was working and then fueling back up at night. Add in anxiety, coffee at weird hours (decaf, but still), and probably not enough water: tough on the body. It may not be a big deal for some people, but minor things like poor digestion have major effects on chronic pain.

Instead of a detox (I am certainly not giving up coffee, chocolate, ketchup, etc!) , I’m setting some goals for the week before Christmas. These include food habits that are tried and true for helping my digestion.

• Coffee in the AM only
• More greens
• More beans

Simple pimple. Although I did fall short on my first goal yesterday by having a soy cappuccino with friends yesterday afternoon. That’s why they’re called “goals” instead of “rules”.

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I’m doing well in other respects!

Yesterday for lunch I heated up some sweet potato black bean chili.

Hey beans!

 

Do you work better with rules or goals? Why? I’m obviously a “goal” girl, but I do know people who love the structure of rules. Different strokes for different folks!

Jam of the day: She & Him “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

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