Forgiveness is a loaded word for most of us and there are many situations that seem (or are) unforgiveable. But ongoing anger is deadly and is even more so in the presence of chronic pain. You are really trapped and the depth of your frustration is indescribable. It is at … Read More
None of us like the idea that we might be playing the role of a victim and there are many ways that we disguise it. The list is infinite. I will share a few of my personal favorite methods. Anger-The Absolute Block “Being right” “Frustrated” Feeling sorry for … Read More
Objectives Modern civilization offers more opportunities than any other era of human history. Yet our mental health is declining. We have been led to believe that experiences, knowledge, possessions, and accomplishments can make us happy. You cannot outrun your mind. It is a futile effort because your unconscious survival reactions … Read More
These four elements form a powerful alliance to connect to your own capacity to heal, which is the essence of the solution to chronic pain. The DOC program is a framework that allows you to organize your thinking around these age-old concepts. Awareness You cannot successfully address any problem without … Read More
Anger = Loss of control. You have lost control of almost everything in your life and you have not been given a clear direction on how to solve your pain and the associated problems. Anger and pain are closely linked in your nervous system and they feed off of each … Read More
Whenever your peace of mind is at the mercy of your external circumstances, you are at the mercy of them. The essence of taking your life back is disconnecting from this energy. There are many levels and ways of doing this. Some of them include: Forgiveness – is a selfish … Read More
Anxiety is the sensation created by elevated levels of stress hormones in response to a threat. It is intended to be unpleasant enough to compel you to take action to resolve the situation. We will do anything to avoid it. The expected and required response is to take control. However, … Read More
“Just learning more about spine surgery and the different options for dealing with pain was very helpful and literally made my back feel better. Dr. Hanscom has a lot of credibility with me because he’s undergone back surgery himself and also experienced many of the same things I’ve struggled with … Read More
I received an email from an orthopedic colleague who I have never personally met. We are both part of an Internet discussion group about chronic pain and disability. His observations were very succinct and I think summarizes the problem of physicians not being adequately trained in chronic pain. Here is … Read More