Hello my friends, Happy New Year! I have missed you and hope you are all holding your own. Since coming home from Mayo PRC I have been working hard at implementing the many lessons I learned, becoming physically and mentally stronger, welcoming my daughter home from college, aiding my husband after knee replacement surgery and managing the holidays. Keeping it all together has been a challenge but, I have relied on the tools I learned at PRC to help me keep focused. I am in a much better place than I was last year at this time.

One of the first things we learn in the program is about pain behaviors. This applies to anyone who lives with chronic pain not, just who have Central Sensitization Syndrome. Pain behaviors are anything you do or say that reminds you of pain. Neuroplasticity plays a big role as many of you already understand. Unfortunately, Mayo Connect was a pain behavior and I was advised to disconnect while at rehab. In the beginning, It was very difficult omitting pain behaviors...everything from hats, sunglasses, lumbar pillow, heat, ice, medications, certain clothing items, irregular sleeping patterns/routines, excessive supplements, rubbing sore body parts, limping, talking about pain... the list goes on. I felt like I was being told everything I ever did was wrong but, I began to learn after many cognitive behavioral lectures. In my best interest, it was wise for me to detach from Connect. I am a person who wants to help everyone and by doing that, I provoke my symptoms both mentally and physically. I get too invested and don't know when or how to not let things consume me. This is why I have stayed away. I have been giving thought as to how I can minimally stay involved in a healthy, positive manor. An important PRC principle is to ask yourself the WHY behind the WHAT.

I have 3 of the 6 months under my belt that PRC asks each student to give themselves in order to hopefully achieve the maximum benefits of following the programs guidelines. I struggle, it is not easy. I work hard at managing my symptoms without medications. Some important tools for this is adhering to a daily structured schedule, timed moderation of activities, physical fitness designed to prevent deconditioning, omitting pain behaviors, humor, distraction, mindfulness, grace, forgiveness, structured sleep schedule, healthy diet, diaphragmatic breathing, scheduled rest breaks, acceptance. I do not know what more can change for me but, I continue to stick to the plan in hopes for the best possible outcome. I would be lost if I had not attended Mayo PRC as for the past 7 years I have spun my wheels looking for answers, Dr. hopped, been emotionally and physically distressed, taken many undesired medications and received multiple tests, injections and procedures all of which provoked and fueled my Central Sensitization. I never knew what was happening to me, nor did my Drs. I highly recommend Mayo PRC. It was life changing for me. If interested, you can apply online or by phone, submit your medical history and then be interviewed by a Mayo Dr. to see if you qualify.

Many of you have questions and I'd love to answer each and every one but, it gets too overwhelming. I'm sorry, I hope you understand. I will check in again at some point but, until then know that I think of you often and wish joy, strength, courage and hope for you all. Happy 2021!!!

Love,
Rachel