Got Pain? Get Poked!

In 2011 I received my first hip replacement. Prior to surgery I had been receiving regular acupuncture to manage both the pain and stress leading up to my prognosis. Followers of my website and book may recall that I took a medical mystery tour in my mid 40’s for over a year. I was desperately trying to discover why I suddenly experienced jaundice, liver failure, then heart failure with no known cause. I was vibrant and fit one day and rapidly faced death within a handful of months. Thankfully my journey offered resolution and recovery. After my first surgery in 2011 I received weekly acupuncture. This was an effective way to help me recover and manage pain alongside minimal prescription medication use. Acupuncture served me well during my recovery throughout both hip replacements, one revision, and is a crucial aspect of my wellness regimen to this day. Are you curious about acupuncture? Learn more here and read on for a perk!

During the month of November my local acupuncture clinic, Wasatch Community Acupuncture, is offering $10 treatments to POCA members (I am a patient member! Join and learn more here.). The clinic is also hosting a fundraising event on Monday, November 19th called ‘Pokesgiving’ to benefit the Utah Food Bank. What Pokesgiving is, according to my patient monthly newsletter…”All day long we are going to offer walk-in treatments in exchange for a monetary donation that will go directly to the Utah Food Bank. You decide how much to donate.” This is a great way to care for yourself and others at the same time. The clinic plans to be busy and will also take appointments to accommodate as many people as possible that day

Wasatch Community Acupuncture is located at 470 E. 3900 S., Ste 103 in Salt Lake City, UT. For more details about the November offerings at Wasatch Community Acupuncture call 801-364-9272 or email them at info@wasatchacupuncture.org. Check it out! Live outside of Utah? Visit POCA and use their clinic search tool to find an affordable acupuncture clinic near you.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Living with Invisible Disability?

KRCL 90.9 is my local community radio station. I am a sustaining member and have been listening to this station for over 25 years. One of the programs I enjoy is called RadioActive. In honor of Disability Awareness month speakers recently discussed invisible disabilities. My own arthritis, Hashimoto’s disease, and titanium parts that allow me to walk are hidden to others, though each of these conditions require constant care, pain management, and remind me minute by minute that I have limitations. I relate well to the term invisible disability. A representative from an advocacy group called the Disabled Rights Action Committee Utah shared resources on the radio show to help those of us that may experience discrimination and misunderstanding from those we encounter on a regular basis.

Did you realize that 1 in 5 people worldwide live with a disability and 45% of Americans live with one or more chronic conditions? Many of these conditions are not visible to the naked eye…hence the term ‘invisible disability’. This can be problematic when needing a handicap restroom, using a handicap parking spot, or accessing health services. Personally, I have been confronted, reprimanded, and treated harshly more than once when using a handicap stall simply because I don’t “look the part” of someone with limitations. Click the link below to hear the radio program in it’s entirety and better understand the wide range of disabilities and how we can better treat one another with dignity.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

For show notes from RadioActive for October 23, 2018, visit https://krcl.org/blog/radioactive-october-23-2018/

Pain Management Resources

Before, during, and after three life changing surgeries, I chose to use a variety of methods* to manage pain. Prescription medication did play a minor role in my recovery plan. Hip replacement is a gruesome and invasive surgery that forever changes the body of the recipient. My physician and surgeon both supported my decision to use opioids very sparingly. After my third revision surgery I stopped using prescription pain medication after nine days simply because I couldn’t stand the constipation, poor sleep quality, and drugged feeling. As a supplement to prescription pain killers, I found that complementary and alternative methods such as acupuncture, Reiki, Guided Imagery, and therapeutic massage were, and continue to be, the most effective treatments to help me sleep, minimize pain, and recover. I function more effectively and am pleased with the quality of life I have today thanks to these pain management tools.

My pain level varied throughout my recovery and varies continually to this day. Chronic conditions and chronic pain are like that…some days are better than others. Each of the methods I discuss here have been documented and well researched (see links added) as safe ways to manage pain. They are also affordable and well worth my time. Some days I can get by simply using ice packs for hip, shoulder, or low back pain. Weekly Epsom salt soaks soothe away my muscle aches, arthritis pain, and the ‘creaky’ feeling known to those of us that live with metal inside our body. Regular acupuncture visits provide me with a ‘tune-up’. I leave an acupuncture appointment feeling calm, inflammation decreased, and with even the most severe pain quieted or often erased altogether. How are you managing pain? Do you have one or more methods outside of prescription pain killers that work for you? Chat with your doctor about any or all of the treatments described above...they just might offer the relief you’ve been looking for.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

*Resource: Chapter 4, Pain Management - Before, During and After Surgery, pg. 65, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery <<Read a FREE excerpt

“Acupuncture is a very ancient form of healing that predates recorded history.”

History of Acupuncture

Artificial Joints and Arthritis

Cooler weather and varying temperatures equate to an increase in my aches and pains.  For me, this is my "creaky" time and when my body requires extra care.  Today’s post is a repeat message from October 6, 2016. Two years ago I worked at Summit County Health Department as a Health Educator. My role required me to work at an outdoor event in snowy Park City on that date. This task led to an experience of “extra ouch” for me…even when I dress well and prepare for the elements, cold is not my friend. Artificial joints are incredibly sensitive to cold temperatures, making the term “chilled to the bone” a very accurate statement.

This week I am promoting my book in Boise, Idaho, and considering relocating to this delightful town. Temperatures are a bit milder this year here in Idaho and in my home town of Salt Lake City, Utah, though a chill is in the air! My soothe methods today include an early morning workout of 25-minutes on the treadmill to increase circulation as well as 30-minutes of strength training for endurance and stamina. Daily exercise provides me with an energy boost and an endorphin rush to better manage pain. A bag of Epsom salts sits near my hotel tub and will ease muscle tension later as I soak before bed and aim for restful slumber. My hotel room in Boise includes a kitchenette, this ensures I nourish well with wholesome meals to fuel my day. Packing my own food when I travel saves me time and money and is an investment in my good health. As I write this post I’m feasting on my post-workout breakfast: Steel cut oats with blueberries, lemon zest, and fresh spearmint, topped with a splash of oat milk and stevia. I’m also eating a sliced pear and toasted pumpernickel bagel (dry). This amount of food will tide me over for a few hours. FYI…I continue to manage a lean weight (132.6 as of today), take only thyroid medication for Hashimoto’s disease, and feel that I have a good quality of life.

Are your chronic health conditions affected by the seasons?  If so, how are you preparing for any weather related symptoms?  Remember that you are in charge of your health - medications and healthcare providers can assist us…though we as patients are in charge of day to day care. Would you like ideas, motivation, and encouragement to better manage pain, inflammation, or weight gain that may increase during cold weather? Contact me and schedule a FREE 30-minute health coaching consultation.  Let's talk.

Be Well,

Tiffany

Falling Asleep - Staying Asleep

Fall…the perfect season to focus on improving sleep. Darker days and cool temperatures naturally beckon us to a deep state of slumber. Sleep is essential for good health and crucial to those of us managing chronic conditions. For decades I struggled with sleep deprivation. Now I experience the best sleep of my life! Check out the Rest section of my 3 Key Concepts where I share resources and tips that help me to fall asleep and stay asleep. Consult your doctor to see if my resources may help you as well. I find that sleeping between 5-7 hours per night is best for me. Here are a few quick tips…

Cutting down on caffeine - ultimately I weaned myself away completely. Caffeine is a tough addiction though I feel better and sleep more soundly now that I avoid this powerful stimulant. Added bonus is that I no longer experience high blood pressure.

Scheduling relaxation time - sleep rituals and nightly routines guide me towards better sleep. This time can be as short as the time it takes to brush your teeth. I enjoy meditation with healing sounds, guided imagery CD’s, and music designed for deep sleep.

Eating a small plain baked potato or other fat-free starch (my favorite is a small bowl of steel cut oatmeal with blueberries and oat milk) an hour or so before bedtime is warming, eases anxiety or the blues, provides me with 100-200 nutrient rich calories, and helps me sleep more soundly.

Be Well and Sleep Well! ~ Tiffany

Book of the Day! Get Your Freebie!

Glass Spider Publishing interviewed and introduced me as one of their new authors on July 11, 2017. In the interview I share how and why a personal health crisis inspired me to craft a resource guide, check out the full interview here.

I’m very proud of my book! Would you like this resource guide that contains recovery tips, pain management tips, and resources that apply to nearly any type of surgery? Your chance is coming up this Saturday when my book is Book of the Day!

Online Book Club is showcasing my 4/4 star professionally rated book, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery. One day only - October 6, 2018! Snag a free Kindle copy of my book - for you, for a friend, for a loved one. It’s easy to get your free copy - simply visit Amazon on October 6, 2018, search for my book, select the free Kindle option (remember, one day only!) and enjoy your free electronic copy. No strings attached. Readers are simply encouraged to share their appreciation by posting an honest and candid review on Amazon.

Be Well and Happy Reading! ~Tiffany

Active Aging...My Steps to Success

Heads up…this post is over 4 paragraphs long! Settle in and share 7 minutes or so with me and read on. I promise it will be a good use of your time! My photos from summer travel speak volumes…I am a medical miracle and I am grateful to have the quality of life I have today. Today’s blog falls in line with Active Aging Week, which I find a bit amusing since I look at the literal sense of those words. After all, if I am NOT aging, then I AM NOT breathing.

I understand the marketing side of things and know that buzz words (like Active Aging), blurbs, or sound bites catch the pubic eye and are designed to grab our attention. Though most marketing is simply a gimmick to sell you something that you may or may not need or want. Health information and health education is tricky to market. My health and wellness blog is only valuable when it is meaningful to you AND you are willing to apply that information to your life. I’ve spoken to an alarming amount of people lately who tell me they do not care about their health. I find this attitude deeply disturbing and know I cannot help them. I care deeply about my health and how it shapes my future. Does your health matter to you? If so, you’re in the right place.

You are in charge of your behavior and making healthy lifestyle changes. Coaches, educators, and medical professionals have valuable skills and knowledge that can assist and empower you to age well and improve your life. And I for one, take that job very seriously. Those of us in the health field can suggest any number of resources, tips, or tools to help you better manage your chronic conditions and feel your best…but at the end of the day, YOUR ACTIONS AND CHOICES make a profound difference in how well you age, how you feel, and how you look. For example, on paper you might read my medical history and consider me a complete train wreck. I have a number of health concerns to manage. The majority of adults over 30 in this country are in the same boat. Health concerns show up or we are born with them…though the majority of chronic conditions are manageable, some are even preventable! I apply my 3 Key Concepts consistently. Here are just a few of the benefits I experience:

• I avoid pain medication. This saves me money and from the side effects of opioids and over the counter products. Ibuprofen is even a last resort for me since it bothers my stomach.

• I fall and stay asleep on my own, without the use of medication nearly every night. Sleepless or restless nights sometimes happen, I do my best to prevent them.

• I maintain a healthy blood pressure and low cholesterol reading. This also saves me money since I no longer need medication, and again, avoid those prescription side effects. My heart doesn’t race, I do not feel agitated, I feel calm and relaxed nearly all the time. I do my best to manage stress before it harms my mind and my heart.

• I am slowing the progression of arthritis and bone loss due to maintaining a lean weight and exercising regularly. I eat a whole food plant based diet and know that my food provides me with delicious, quality nutrients. I also add vitamin D (typically through sunshine) and B-12 (a nutrient made by bacteria) for protection.

• I manage my thyroid condition by taking medication as prescribed, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and seeing my doctor regularly.

• My skin is clear and free of blemishes. As a 53-year-old woman I am complimented on my youthful appearance. This is diet related. I am not adding harmful toxins to my body any longer which allows my largest organ, my skin, to look its best! I ate poorly for many years and it showed up in my face, my body, and on my skin. I changed my behaviors and you can too…it is never too late to improve your health.

Thank you for reading this far…we have now actively aged together! Take good care of yourself. If you are seeking individualized support check out my coaching services or appointment availability for therapeutic bodywork.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Questions or comments? Contact me: tiffany@andersontherapeutics.coms