WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PAIN VACATION The trigger point injections and nerve block treatments you have received are not intended to be the cure for your chronic pain. But they are definitely part of the solution. The local anesthetic or “freezing” agent in the injections is only in your tissues for 30-60 minutes, but most people who receive the treatment can expect a few days of significant relief from pain. The ‘pain vacation’ that the injections provide can be a wonderful break from your usual routine, which for most people is a very bad one. Chronic pain can break your spirit, making you lose interest in your appearance, your home environment, your daily responsibilities, your relationships and most other aspects of your life. The pain relief you get from your injections gives you an opportunity to rebuild your life, and it is important that you make the most of it. We strongly encourage you to focus your mind and your energy on taking better care of yourself after your injections, even if it is just for a day or two. Your pain will eventually return, and we have tips to help with that when it happens. But for now, take advantage of this gift. Don’t just go back home and watch TV without pain. Don’t waste this period of freedom from pain. Use it to get your mind and your life back on track. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Drink plenty of water. Most people with chronic pain do not drink enough water. Caffeine and medications can cause dehydration. Constipation is a common sideeffect. Dehydration shrivels up the discs in your spine, making them less elastic and more prone to bulging. The best thing to drink is hot water with a bit of lemon juice. Add a few thin slices of fresh ginger, which fights inflammation. A teaspoon of honey will make it taste even better. Avoid soft drinks, juices or alcohol. 2. Stretch. If you have been given a stretching routine, follow it. If not, find a youtube video that you can follow. Spend at least 15 minutes stretching, and do it twice a day. Stretch your low back and neck, your shoulders and hips, even your wrists and ankles. Stretches do not need to hurt to be effective. When you have less pain, you can stretch deeper and longer, releasing tiny knots in your tissues. Combine body stretches with the Seekers Method to stretch the knots we have found in your body. 3. Get additional treatment. When you have less pain, massage and physiotherapy sessions can be more effective. Deeper knots can be released, stretching and strengthening is easier, and the benefit of treatments will add up. If you see other providers, schedule your sessions 2-3 hours after your injections if you can. Otherwise, get treated the next day. Remember that any treatment that increases your pain is a bad idea. If your therapist causes pain, ask them to call us to talk about the unique needs of people with chronic pain. 4. Spend time with people. Face it - chronic pain makes people miserable, and when