Learning to Manage Winter Pain

Winter typically means large amounts of pain and frustration, but I'm finally learning how to manage both.  My techniques include:

• Rolfing -> I'm continuing appointments despite some bruising from the deep tissue work.  I notice my muscular structure more now than before, and feel like I am fighting to keep my hard-won gains in the battle to stand straighter.  In response, my rolfer and I agree to make visits more frequent, once every 2 weeks instead of once a month, in hopes to help my body "remember" what it *should* be doing.

• Warmth -> most people seem to prefer cold on a soft tissue injury, but for me, especially in the winter, this results in more pain as my capillaries collapse.  So, I am trying to keep myself warm before I notice I'm cold.  This is currently working with the assistance of flannel lined pants/jeans, fuzzy slippers, flannel sheets, and not being afraid to wear gloves indoors.

• Staying active -> the more I hurt the less I want to move.  I'm fighting this instinct by continuing to move despite the discomfort.  This idea came from a friend whose child has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and staying active helps minimize the flare-ups.  I figured it is worth a try.  My biggest effort is walking since yoga during the winter still results in dislocations.

• Laughing ->   they say laughter is the best medicine, so I look for something to laugh about each day.  Occasionally, this results in jaw pain, but I think it is worth it.

Dislocations and subluxations still occur, but I feel like I am managing them okay at this point.  Usually, when I see the arctic cold descending into my area of the country I cringe and cry, then am miserable until spring thaw.  This year it doesn't seem as intimidating.

Summer is My Favorite Season

I always look forward to summer. The flowers are blooming, trees fully leaved, and the days nice and warm. Perhaps it is the warmth I look forward to the most.

Heat helps my joints feel better. The lack of shivering also gives my muscles a chance to heal from the damage of winter. I can exercise more because I feel better, which, in turn, makes me feel even better.

I haven't had a major joint episode since my elbow last year, though my left shoulder gave me a scare about a month ago. Luckily, since it is getting warmer, I can exercise the joint more and strengthen it before I have a full dislocation.

I'm looking forward to my next visit with my EDS specialist. I have several new oddities that I want to discus with him to find out if they are EDS related. One is an occasional extreme headache, not a migraine but seriously painful, that is occurring about once every 2 months. The other is a bizarre hive-like rash that will occasionally appear and disappear a few hours later. I am wondering if my skin allergies are related to EDS (since my skin is very much a result of EDS) and if there is anything I can do besides live in a hypoallergenic bubble :)

Now, to go enjoy exercising in the warming weather and get these joints of mine ready for next winter!