Hi Loverofcats,
I know myself how physically, emotionally and mentally draining pain can be.
I'm not on the chronic pain module etc, but I was very fortunate to discover that a lot of my pain related to food (or rather what I was using as food).
I was constantly lethargic, short tempered, overweight, and in pain. I would describe my situation as generally unhappy with how I fit into the world. I had several accidents over the years resulting in multiple 'treatments' from mainstream 'experts' which have left me without my tenth rib, titanium plates and screws in my collar bone (recently removed), knee surgery and a few other bits and bobs. I turned thirty last year and I was in probably the worst mental, emotional and physical state of my life. I was basically told to 'take the painkillers and that's as good as it gets pal'. I was sick of being sore. My shoulder was the most recent 'break' and was in a shocking state after surgery. I was experiencing a blockage of blood flow to my arm to which the mainstream team said 'sorry, just an unfortunate side effect'. My entire arm would swell, my veins would bulge etc etc, I would have to do arm circles etc to get the feeling and circulation going again. I refused the painkillers and started researching alternative therapies. I eventually found a local naturopath and also a chinese medicine team who over the next few months changed my life. I changed my diet, most significantly cutting out soda drinks, alcohol, bread and dairy imediately. (Different foods will effect different folks differently and often you can bring small amounts back in...I have to admit to ocassionally falling off the ice cream wagon

, these were just the ones I reacted to) I lost a total of 17kg in four weeks and felt fantastic with the diet change alone. Numerous conditions that weren't even registering as issues because of the pain from my main problem areas started to disappear. (this was all before I knew about LOA, PATHS etc) Sinus issues, headaches, lethargy, anger, stomach pain, chesty cough, knee pain etc etc. I started meditation and my healing from the most recent surgery was better than any other surgery before that. My blood pressure, oxygenation etc stats on entering the hospital prior to surgery were better than when I was 18.
After surgery I then had accupuncture and massages to 'help' the mess the mainstream 'surgeons' had made. It has worked. I can honestly say that late 2006 was a turning point for me. I have a new zest for life. I haven't been to the chinese or the naturopath in over 3 months now, but if anything pops up they will be the first team I see.
This past week I started jogging, for the first time in 3 years and I feel fantastic. I'm not anywhere near where I see myself very soon, but right now, this is a world away from where I was last year. Now combined with my PATHS mood elevation modules etc, I am cranking along feeling the love, 'near on' completely pain free.
