Finding HOPE: 

THE POWER OF CONNECTION
WHEN YOU HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS

Story by: Emily Lofgren

A life with debilitating chronic illness can be isolating. I know this firsthand.

If you’re reading this post, you may also understand the isolation that comes when chronic illness keeps you from living what many would consider a “normal life.”

In this rough season of treating Lyme Disease and other chronic health conditions, the majority of my time has been spent in bed.

At some points, I could barely leave my apartment once a week. My boyfriend would come by with groceries or supper to help get me through the time until I had enough strength to make it out again. Occasionally, another friend would stop by to visit or bring a meal.

I had interaction, but it wasn’t often. Long weeks of being alone can take a toll on a person.

The thing is, it’s not just the loneliness that was bad. When you add together chronic pain and symptom flares, the inability to leave home, and others’ misunderstanding about your condition, it can be hard to want to keep going. If you’ve ever felt this way, I am so sorry. I want you to know that you are not alone.

Discovering Alternative Treatments:

MASSAGE

"I was told that I needed carpal tunnel surgery in both hands. My masseuse roughly manipulated a spot on my upper arm and I walked out of there with great relief! I've never had the surgeries! She showed me were to manipulate, and I do it myself now when I've been texting or on FB too much." - Laurie

Can Massage Therapy Relieve Your Chronic Pain?

From: Massage Tique

Lower back pain – According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers have found promising evidence that massage therapy can benefit people with lower back pain. Researchers at Canada’s Institute for Work and Health found acupressure was more effective for lower back pain than Swedish massage. Thai massage produced similar results to Swedish massage. The researchers recommended massage therapy in conjunction with exercises and relevant education.

Headaches – In a study of people who experience chronic tension headaches, researchers found massage therapy reduced the frequency and duration of these headaches. Even short 30-minute sessions could alleviate certain headaches, and the participants experienced significant reductions in headache frequency after only the first week of this eight-week study.

Arthritis knee pain – In a study of people who had knee pain from arthritis, researchers found massage therapy provided pain relief benefits for at least eight weeks after treatment. In a follow-up study, they determined weekly 60-minute massage sessions were the most effective, given their convenience, cost, and consistency.

Neck pain – In a study of 228 people living with chronic neck pain, a team of doctors found 60-minute massage sessions were more effective than 30-minute ones. They urged physicians to relate this information to their patients when recommending massage for neck pain.

Fibromyalgia – A researcher in Sweden found people with fibromyalgia who received massage therapy felt less pain up to six months after treatment. In this study of 48 patients, the researcher found 15 massage therapy treatments over a 10-week period relieved 37% of pain, relieved feelings of depression, and decreased study participants’ need for painkillers.

Cancer pain – Cancer patients have long turned to massage therapy for relief from pain related to cancer and cancer treatments. One research group found massage therapy is effective for short-term treatment of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. In their review of many previous studies, they highlighted one in which cancer patients experienced a 50% reduction in symptoms after receiving massage therapy.

Exploring Wellness: 

Exercise and Stretching 

Ginger is available in: capsules, honey-based ginger syrups, whole fresh root, and crystallized ginger.
 

Lemon-Ginger Tea Recipe 

• 3-4 inches ginger root
• 4 cups water
• 1 lemon (or lime)
• Sweetener to taste

HOW TO PREPARE

Chop fresh ginger root into about 15 quarter sized slices. Add to water and boil on the stove for a minimum of 10 minutes. Add half the juice of the lemon/lime. Strain tea to remove ginger slices. Pour tea cups and sweeten to taste.

Drink three cups daily for arthritic, joint or muscle pain. If applying as a compress, grate ginger root, wrap it in a cheesecloth and place it in hot water for 30 seconds. Let it cool and place on affected area for 20 minutes.