Hi Sue. I’ve relied on my physical therapist for keeping pain under control for 22+ years. He told me I’m financing his retirement. One PT aide there said “welcome home” when I came back for post surgery PT for my neck last summer.

Here’s how I cope with pain without pain meds:

1. physical therapy routine I do every day when I’m physically able - includes stretching and a lot of core strengthening exercises

2. ice packs of various sizes and shapes from Core Products

3. put a wet wash rag over my eyes, lay on a heating pad, and go through my best memories of riding and hiking

4. breathing exercises and biofeedback

5. spend two hours a day in my mom’s pool when the water hits 80 - I LOVE hot weather

6. ask doctors to prescribe PT that includes a lot of dry needling

7. Eat a diet that’s primarily raw vegetables and fruit and watch my weight

8. prayer, church, and friends

9. stay busy with my online shops because focusing on work

Having to depend on pain meds on occasion is sometimes the only way to cope with extreme pain. I keep a journal to work my way off meds between surgeries. I just worry about ending up on a pain pump because I have all of the orthopedic issues and surgeries my father had to cope with.