Hi @lucasmom. Sorry you're struggling with chronic back symptoms. I agree with you and equally hated being on pain medication.

As a graduate of the PRC program, I can say a resounding yes, removing pain medication (opioids) made a big change overall for me. Not only to reduce nagging side effects, but to help calm down the central nervous system and help reduce symptoms.

I think what's most important to think about when it comes to management and rehabilitation of chronic pain is that the main focus is shifting power and control from the medical world back to ourselves, which can be a tall order. I understand your terrified feeling because I felt the same exact way before going to the PRC.

Dr. Sletten teaches:
Rehab = bravery with the acceptance of doing things differently

It does take discipline and commitment, but small steps can lead to bigger changes overall for chronic pain management. I'd love to hear what you thought of Dr. Sletten's video on CSS? What parts resonated with you most?

I have - was on Oxy for about 1.5 months -
I am learning ways to cope with CSS and it is helping tremendously! Breathing work three times a day..cut out sugar - moving my body by walking and doing PT and knowing that pain does not equal harm has been huge! Also..hormones has improved my pain to my joints - I was literally thinking I was going to die two months ago. Pace yourself is also huge for me because I am type A and would go and go until I couldn’t - having acceptance to putting my health before “doing” has changed my life!