April Newsletter

Dear *|FNAME|*:    

Within the first week of April it snowed here. We hope your Spring is off to a better start. On a positive note, we have a lot of new awesome ideas to implement for Hope Instilled. We have nothing but excitement for the future! We care so much about helping you and everyone else worldwide in pain by providing information and hope. 

This month, we are sharing how acupuncture helps with chronic pain, the importance of strength training for general wellness and chronic pain, how to use peppermint oil, and an inspiring story of someone who finds the positive in everyday despite not living the life she always dreamed. 


If you want to talk about anything visit our support group

Finding HOPE 

Sam Moss's Inspiring Story

By: Sam Moss, My Medical Musings

Chronic Pain ResourcesToday I am medically retired and on a permanent disability pension and my husband is my full time carer. My original plan was a healthy retirement full of travel and volunteering and fulfilling a lifelong goal of writing a book. I may not be able to have such an energetic retirement and my leg break and subsequent bone disease diagnosis has brought the travel idea to an end for the moment but I am blessed that I can still write.

I’ll have difficult days like we all do and days when plans and dreams are restricted by health but one thing I know is that if I can focus on counting my blessings on those days, the clouds pass much more quickly.

My biggest blessing is my amazing husband who has walked this journey with me and stands side by side with me today. We have laughed and we have cried over the past six years as each health episode has thrown up new challenges.

We have even managed to laugh at the unpredictability of my health. We can laugh though because we know life can be and is good, even if it is learning to live at a different pace and in a very different way from what is considered “normal”.

Chronically Content
Despite all that my body has thrown at me, I still have an overarching feeling of being “Chronically Content”

So, how on earth can I feel content, even happy, in the midst of all this?
What’s my secret?

Read More
"Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive."

- Jesse Jackson

Discovering Alternative Treatments:
Acupuncture and Acupressure
for Chronic Pain 


From: Hope Instilled

What is Acupuncture?

Chronic Pain ResourcesAcupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It is over 2,500 years older than traditional Western Medicine. It works by applying thin needles, heat, and pressure to specific points on the body redirecting the body’s natural energy know as chi or qi.

Acupuncture Benefits for Chronic Pain 

Acupuncture has been said to produce positive side effects including; better sleep, better digestion, more energy, mental clarity, and less stress. It has gained a lot of acceptance as an alternative treatment for low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and osteoarthritis, based on several research studies.
 
Other Conditions Acupuncture Could Help with Include:
Allergies, Asthma, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chronic Pain in general, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Insomnia, Muscle Spasms, Myofascial Pain, Osteoarthritis, and Parkinson’s Disease.


Learn more about what is is, what acupressure is, how it works, how it helps with chronic pain, how safe it is, the history of it, scientific proof, how to find a good practitioner, and what to expect at the initial appointment on our website.

Read More
22% - That's the percent of American adults living with some form of a disability

Exploring Wellness: Strength Training 

"For many, weight training calls to mind bodybuilders pumping iron in pursuit of beefy biceps and bulging pecs. But experts say it's well past time to discard those antiquated notions of what resistance training can do for your physique and health. Modern exercise science shows that working with weights — whether that weight is a light dumbbell or your own body — may be the best exercise for lifelong physical function and fitness." (Peak fitness Presented by Mercola, 2017)

Chronic Pain ResourcesWhy is Strength Training Important?

By: Hope Instilled

Strength training exercises are actually among the most important exercises to stay fit and healthy. Muscle strength decreases with age unless you work on preventing it with strength training exercises. If you don’t work to strengthen your muscles, they will decline by 25% of what you had in your mid-30’s when you reach 70. They will decline by 50% by the time your 90. 

Benefits of Strength Training for Chronic Pain
There are numerous health benefits to strength training that can help reduce chronic pain. When muscles are stronger your effort decreases which helps prevent fatigued muscles. For many years, people with illnesses such as fibromyalgia were told to avoid strength training exercises. Today, research demonstrates the safety and benefit of this important type of exercise for people with illnesses like fibromyalgia. (NfmCPA, 2017).

Strength Training for Chronic Pain
"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow."

- Orison Swett Marden
DIY Natural Recipe: Peppermint Oil 

Peppermint oil can help with:
  • Reducing stomach aches
  • Soothing digestive issues
  • Relieving headaches
  • Improving mental focus
  • Clearing respiratory tract
  • Boosting energy
  • Releasing tight muscles
Peppermint oil is a perfect addition to your medicine cabinet. With its antimicrobial properties, peppermint is one of the most versatile essential oils in the world next to lavender. It can help with body, health, and mind issues.  

Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica). The essential oil is created by steam distillation of the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant. 

    Chronic Pain Resources

    HOW TO PREPARE

    For use as a topical application, it is best to mix with a carrier oil (such as; fractioned coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil) in a 10ml roller ball. Add 25 - 30 drops of the essential oil and fill the rest with the carrier oil. Then, apply to temples and forehead for migraine pain. Mix with lavender oil to help with achy joints.

    For digestive issues, try peppermint tea. You can also add some to a diffuser and reap the benefits from the scent being added to the air.

    Read more on Essential oils here

    Other News

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    Dangers of Bleach + NEVER Mix Bleach with These 3 Cleaning Ingredients

    11 Chronic Pain Control Techniques

    Taking Vitamin D Oral Supplements Could Be Pointless If You Are Deficient In These Other Areas
    Hope Instilled Resources & Support


    Chronic Pain ResourcesSupport: Join Our Forums or Facebook Closed Groups for Peer to Peer Support, it's a place for us to talk about how living with chronic pain affects our lives.

    Chronic Pain ResourcesFollow us on Pinterest where we have boards on chronic pain, specific alternative treatments, wellness, preventing & curing cancer, stories of hope, DIY products/recipes, and more.

    Chronic Pain Resources  Follow our YouTube Channel for inspiring videos.

    LikChronic Pain Resourcese us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for Hope, Medical News, Support, Alternative Treatments and Wellness information.

    Chronic Pain ResourcesNew Content on Website
    View our page on Pilates, Strength Training and Acupuncture find out what they are and how they can help with chronic pain. Plus, a new blog post: Taking Control Over Our Health
                       
    Chronic Pain ResourcesShare Your Story! 
    Help other people who suffer from chronic pain by sharing alternative treatments you have found or hope that you have gained.
    Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments about our newsletter.

    Yours in hope,
    Jory Pradjinski 
    Founder of Hope Instilled, Inc. 
    414-731-7939
    info@hopeinstilled.org
    Disclaimer: The content within this email and on our site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and/or any treatment, but are for informational purposes only. We are not doctors or medical professionals, nor do we claim to be such. We are simply sharing educational information and our own experiences. The information often is based upon what has worked for us. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health provider on any health situations and/or conditions you are experiencing. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it due to something you read in this email or on our site. Hope Instilled, Inc. shall not be held liable or responsible for any misunderstanding or misuse of the information contained in this email or on our site, or for any losses, damages, or injuries caused by any application or treatment of anything discussed in this email or on the site.
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