Day Two: Relieving Chronic Pain Related to Depression
TMJ dysfunction is a disease characterized by headaches, stiff neck, popping or cracking in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. There are a lot of other symptoms that comprise TMJ dysfunction, but these are the symptoms that I struggle with most. On most days, I have some kind of head and neck tension. Sometimes the range of motion of my neck is severely limited, so turning my head is challenging. And sometimes I have a headache that feels like a vice grip squeezing my entire head, pulverizing my brain. These symptoms are aggravated by hormone changes and depression. This morning, I woke up unable to turn my head toward the right. And in typical fashion, waking up to a non-swiveling head leads me into a bit of a shallow breathing pattern – the breathing pattern of anxiety.
Thankfully, I’ve been a massage therapist/bodyworker for 16 years and I know a thing or two about releasing deep muscle tension. A little trigger point therapy and a pea-sized application of The Healing Rose’s Extra Strength CBD Herbal Relief Salve applied to these trigger points before my yoga practice released the tension. I was able to move forward with a gentle practice this morning, followed by 12 minutes of meditation.
After meditation, I was still feeling sluggish and had a great deal of tension remaining along my spine. So I decided to medicate with a CBD-rich strain – I administered 3 inhales of Nebula II. (Learn more about this strain here.) Tension along my spine is now greatly reduced, anxiety is completely gone, and I am able to sit comfortably at my kitchen table so that I can write this post.
I am grateful for my ability to care for my self.
To keep me accountable, I will post my goals below on a daily basis so that I can review and amend my plans to achieve my goals as needed. I’ve made a couple of changes –
- I will not be using the Headspace app for morning meditation. I will not be using any electronic devices until after yoga and meditation practice.
- I will medicate with a CBD-rich strain as needed for anxiety/panic/pain – Thankful for this suggestion from a fellow Cannabis Nurse!
Goal — To Gain Clarity
Plan — Meditate for at least 10 minutes daily, eventually expanding on the amount of time a couple minutes per day, with 20 minutes of daily meditation being the target sit time.
More Plans — Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Lights out by 10pm and wake up at 7am would be a good starting point for me.
Goal — To Relieve Depressed Mood, Anxiety Symptoms, and Relieve Pain
Plan — Move!!!! Yoga, Swim, Walk
Yoga — Attend at least 2 classes a week, practice most days of the week for a minimum of 15 minutes a day. Practice in the morning after waking. May precede meditation.
Swim — 10–20 laps 2–3x per week
Walk — Walk daily — sometime during the day. Just get out and walk.
More Plans — Medicate with cannabis as needed.
- 1-3 inhales from a vaporizer with a CBD-rich strain first thing in the morning if panic/anxiety/pain not relieved by self care bodywork is on board
- 2–3 inhales from a vaporizer with an indica-dominant strain by 7:30pm to reduce tension and promote sleep.
Goal — To Nourish My Body To Heal Up From Depression, Anxiety, and Panic
In the morning — Smoothie (I have a kefir, kombucha, Vega Protein Powder, and Amazing Grass Superfood smoothie every morning.)
The rest of the day — I need to revamp my Nourishment Plan. Need more fresh foods in my diet. I’ve been in a convenience carbohydrate rut for a while.
Plan — Develop meal plan that will help my body stay well. I know, it’s a broad plan. More on this one later. But soon. Due date — Friday 7/21/17
As always, thank you for reading kind followers! Wishing you a bright and beautiful Saturday! Much love. Namaste.
