Striving to Thriving

This podcast provides an overview of the latest survey conducted by the US Pain Foundation, titled, " A Chronic Pain Crisis - 2022 Survey Report." The USPF did excellent work in the design, preparation and analysis of the survey. You can download the report at https://uspainfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Chronic-Pain-Crisis-US-Pain-2022-FINAL.pdf. This report should be a "touchstone" for every patient, ...

This is the third, and last, in a series of three podcasts that discusses the challenges, symptoms, and treatment options for those with migraine disease. In this podcast David Hall  ends the series with an exciting interview with one of the leading migraine experts from Mayo Clinic Hospital, Dr. Amaal Starling. You'll definitely want to listen to this podcast if you experience migraine. This podcast is packed with lots of info...

This is the second in a series of three podcasts that discusses the challenges, symptoms, and treatment options for those with migraine disease. In this podcast David Hall touches on symptoms of migraine attack, various types of migraine attacks, as well as myths and misconception. In the next podcast, he ends the series with an exciting interview with one of the leading migraine experts from Mayo Clinic Hospital. You'll defini...

This is the first in a series of three podcasts that discusses the challenges, symptoms, and treatment options for those with migraine disease. David Hall shares his experience with his first migraine as well as myths and misconception. In the next podcast he discusses the different types of migraines  and  treatment approaches. In the last podcast, he ends the series with an exciting interview with one of the leading migraine expe...

In this episode of Striving to Thriving, I interview Paul Curtis from Take Courage Coaching and we discuss topics related to health and wellness coaching specific to chronic pain, which affects over 50 million people in the United States and how a coaching relationship can make a significant difference. 

Paul is a board-certified health and wellness coach. He is one of the Staff Instructors and student mentor at Take Courage Coachin...

If you suffer from chronic pain, you likely are, or have, wrestled with one of more cognitive distortions. But don’t beat yourself up. Remember, nature wired our brains have negative slant. That’s what’s helped us survive in primitive times when we were trying to keep from being eaten by lions. Thankfully, we now live in a modern world and no longer have to worry about being eaten. Today we have the luxury of choice. We can choose ...

Those of us struggling in chronic pain often, and errantly, rely on guarded movement to keep us from re-injuring ourselves, also known as Fear-avoidance beliefs. This podcast attempts to dispel the notion that guarded movements, or avoiding physical activities, are beneficial for those with chronic pain. Movement, especially intentional movement known as exercise, is our body’s own natural pharmacy that helps us get, or become, str...

In this episode I interview suicide prevention expert Paula Fontenelle. Sharing her own experience with the loss of her father and how that changed the course of her life, she shares vital information on how we can prevent tragedy in our families and communities.

Suicide is a highly stigmatized subject. So we don't talk about it, and that's a problem, especially if you struggle with chronic pain. According to a 2008 eight st...

I'm taking a break from the "Movement" series to address handling and minimizing stress during the holiday season offering some suggestions for making this season less painful for those struggling with chronic pain. Simply put, stress and anxiety increases physical pain. We see a great deal more pain during this season because of stress, cold weather changes and the feeling the need to "do more" which with frien...

This is the fifth installment on the mini-series on movement and exercise for pain management and reduction. Today's topic is "Balance." 

I want your input and feedback. As a thank you for your suggestions, ideas and comments, I'm giving away a fitness tracker will be to one lucky respondent. This "exchange" for input will be awarded to the person who provides a thorough and honest critique of my podcasts. I ...

This is the fourth installment on the mini-series on movement and exercise for pain management and reduction. Today's topic is "Strength Training." 

I want your input and feedback. As a thank you for your suggestions, ideas and comments, I'm giving away a fitness tracker will be to one lucky respondent. This "exchange" for input will be awarded to the person who provides a thorough and honest critique of my p...

This is the third installment on the mini-series on movement and exercise for pain management and reduction. Today's topic is "Walking."

I want your input and feedback. As a thank you for your suggestions, ideas and comments, I'm giving away a fitness tracker will be to one lucky respondent. This "exchange" for input will be awarded to the person who provides a thorough and honest critique of my podcasts. I ...

This is the second installment on the mini-series on movement and exercise for pain management and reduction. As a thank you for your suggestions, ideas and comments, a fitness tracker will be awarded to one lucky respondent in December. This "exchange"  will be awarded to the person who provides the best and honest critique of my podcasts. I am on an unending quest to make the podcast have the greatest value for you. So na...

In this brief podcast, I discuss both the need and how movement and exercise is critical to pain reduction.

Chronic pain is a thief. It steals the fun, excitement and joy in life you once had. Things are different now. Your day likely starts and ends with the pain that restricts you from living the life you had. If you struggle with chronic pain living a sedentary lifestyle lacking joy from the activities you used to do, please reac...

In this short podcast, I talk about the cost of dreams and what it requires to make your dream become reality. Those in chronic pain often give up in life, lose hope and stop dreaming. Chronic pain is not a sentence to death, but should rather be viewed in the context of changes we have to make in life. While those changes are difficult, one should never give up on turning their dreams into reality. 

If you struggle with chronic pai...

In the fifth installment of this series, Pain 101, I talk about one of the greatest struggles chronic pain sufferers must wrestle. It is one of the most common and detrimental experiences those with chronic pain must address, and do so in healthy, non-destructive ways. The subject in this episode is how to experience and move through grief. I discuss how grieving for those living in chronic pain differs from the experience of grief...