Posts Tagged ‘Chronic Pain’

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog post #602

2021 Jan. 16, 03:06 -04:29; Jan. 26, 00:19;   Feb. 2, 22:08;  Feb. 15, 00:19-03:24; Feb 16, 20:02; Feb 19, 21:43; Feb 20; 21; 22; 23

The more I learn about our beautiful brains (I call them “BB”s), the more grateful I am to every person who has shown me kindness, imparted knowledge, taught me a skill, inspired me to pursue Beauty.

Unbeknownst to me at the time …  my embracing words from nonjudgmental people and my reading the books listed below (near the end of this blog post)    provided a vital network for my BB to collect new information from precious people in my life, and, from newer books, webinars and training (also listed near the end of this post) as I learn to connect Body with Beautiful Brain.

From all these inspiring people, my BB has deciphered a common message  -  so simple so powerful, yet, not easy to master (it hasn’t been easy for me) — the sweet message is that I hold the power to use my own thoughts to experience bliss during and after illness, wherever I am.

[ from page 4 of the workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION, Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz  and Dr. Marla D. Golden enlighten: “Without your brain, there is no pain. Your brain doesn’t just receive information from your body, but sends directions back out to tell your body what to do. Your brain ‘reads’ everything going on in your body 30 times a second for your entire life. The adult brain changes throughout our lives based upon the information it receives from our bodies. We only experience pain when the electrical signals reach the thinking part of our brains.” ]

Dear Reader, you might have already read in the blog posts preceding this one . . . I am in training – to rid persistent (chronic) pain and other unpleasant signals that began as Shingles last year.

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**http://www.neuroplastix.com/**

Above graphics is from page 69 of Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION.  The word “BLISS” is above the word “Anandamide“

Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz  and Dr. Marla D. Golden show us how Anandamide is synthesized and released at synapses – blocking inflammation, shutting off long term potentiation, reverting Microglia.  http://www.neuroplastix.com/

synapses = the spaces between cells where information (through release of chemicals/electrical signals) is passed. Brain has 100 billion nerve cells and 1000 trillion synapses. Every synapse is used to pass information around the brain and the body.

long term potentiation =  persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity

Microglia (on page 30 of workbook) = one of the three types of glial cells – unlike the nerve cells (called Neurons), glial cells do not conduct electrical signals. Microglia are located around blood vessels in the brain (Capillaries) in an inactive form, responding to foreign invaders by activating and changing shape to attack and destroy anything not recognized as belonging in the brain. They also use pinpoint releases of inflammatory chemicals to break old synapses to prepare for the formation of new ones.

[ Global Traveler/Adventurer and Certified Tour Director Sasa Southard will smile when she reads this – Anandamide is present in highest concentrations in chocolate, especially raw chocolate, where two other enzymes slow down its metabolic deactivation.]

Dr. Danielle Rosenman says:

“The brain changes itself constantly throughout our entire lives. All of our experience changes the brain.

• Everything that we experience, think, feel, believe, and learn changes the physical structure of the brain, the chemicals in the brain, and electricity in the brain.

• This ability of the brain to change is called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity lets us learn through our entire lives.  The more often we repeat a task, the better we learn it. Repetition helps us learn things like reading, adding numbers, or playing a musical instrument. We often call this type of learning ‘practice’.“

Professor Lorimer Moseley says: “The mechanisms that cause us to change in a good way can also cause us to change in a way that makes our lives more difficult and more unpleasant….  Our brain produces pain.  Pain is our most sophisticated protective device. Your systems learn how to make pain….”

Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say: “The more sensation each part of your body has, the bigger the image of that body part in your brain (page 4 of workbook) … Shrink the pain map by flooding the brain using: …thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, beliefs. (page 13 of workbook) “ 

Thank you, Dr. Rosenman, for having  coached me.

My job is to interrupt pain and other unpleasant signals by using any of the seven modalities or a combination of them.

Dr. Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”

The techniques work – I no longer have to take analgesics when I feel a headache coming on or pain (out-of-nowhere kind of pain) in my knee.   I use soothing/confident touch. My BB just needs “feedback” from me – “I have not injured myself, there’s no need to ‘protect’ me by sending me unpleasant signals.” I place a hand on my forehead or a hand over my kneecap for a minute – voila!  BB stops sending pain signals.

I’ve come to appreciate talking to my own brain.  I need to practice and be good at it. After all, if BB has been working so hard  all my life, the least I can do is communicate back.

I need to master the techniques to interrupt the new persistent unpleasant sensations in Body;  since Beautiful Brain produces the sensations, I need to give BB “BLISS”.

Right now, BLISS is thinking about walking and gawking in Paris.

On January 11, 2019, in my blog post “We’ll Always Have Paris, Darling Friends,” says Teresa Jade LeYung, Part 2″  I  had written “I shall publish part 3 soon, not two years from now.” Today is February 19, 2021. It has been more than two years.

The photos in the remainder of this post help me remember those times; sending my thoughts to those pleasurable experiences helps me interrupt undesirable signals. As beloved actress Dame Angela Lansbury says in an interview at Studio 10 (Australia): “We live the memories of our lives.”

Thank you to my friends (and their friends) who made my times in Paris that much more memorable. To friends who had scheduled time to be with me last year and this year…but we had to cancel…   When pandemic is really over … we’ll walk and gawk! To friends and mentors who cannot travel, I shall bring back mementos.

I wish everyone and your BBs easy access to BLISS via thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs.

À bientôt!

Thank you, kind strangers, who helped us captured moments. Boulevard Saint-Michel led us to Rue de la Huchette - aromas from hundreds of eateries! My BB remembers. Walking on cobble stones - author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, global adventurer Sasa Southard, and story-theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung. Merci beaucoup, Sasa, for giving us a dream tour of City of Light in 2016.

Mere thought of smelling, seeing, savoring fresh bread in Paris brings BLISS

author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, her sister Anna, global traveler Sasa Southard, and story-theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung -- admirers of The Iron Lady "la Tour Eiffel" (Paris 2017)

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author/journalist Scott James (aka Kemble Scott), author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, story-theme consultant/author Teresa Jade LeYung, global adventurer/author Sasa Southard, and, Margie's sister Anna! Avenue de la Republique, 75011 Paris

The Water Lily (les Nymphéas) Pond at Giverny, home village of beloved painter Claude Monet, in the town of Vernon, France

Liste des plantes et des fleurs du jardin de Claude Monet / List of plants and flowers of Claude Monet’s garden  http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/planjard.htm

Joy is gawking at the architecture in Paris. That's Sasa at the balcony! I was on the street photographing and filming.

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Sasa Southard https://sasasouthard.com/ is a descendant of the Dumas of France. The Dumas Metro station is near Père Lachaise cemetery

Happiness is finding fabric and ribbons in Paris - photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Sasa Southard

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To ride buses in Paris is to give my eyes pleasure

big windows and views of greenery is bliss

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Postcards sold in shops and at newsstands / kiosks (Presse) in Paris mesmerize me

Global Adventurer Sasa Southard https://sasasouthard.com/ is most fond of the 5th arrondissement and visiting the Panthéon - photo by Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung

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Developmental Editor / Book Doctor Vicki Weiland - Wish you were there!

Kathy et Nan let me filmed them walking on avenue Gabriel, Paris

Teresa Jade LeYung, Nan, Kathy at Opéra Garnier aka Palais Garnier, Paris. I learned "why" ballet performances start at 8pm.

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Global Adventurer Sasa Southard brimming with joy, having been to Institut de Français, Villefranche-sur-Mer

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**Teresa Jade LeYung in front of Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris (BHVP), 24 rue Pavée, Paris 75004 (photo by Nan or Sasa)**

Olga Malyj treated us (her niece Nicole and Nicole’s husband, artist Cynthia Tom, and me) to evening tour on la Seine! Merci beaucoup, chère Olga!

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Seeing pink roses in Madame H's lovely flat is bliss. Merci beaucoup, Madame H! They remind me of my Number One Angel!

Thanks to LaH for wanting to visit le musée du Louvre, I got to see the remarkable painting by Eugène Delacroix, Le 28 Juillet: "La Liberté guidant le peuple". I treasure the memento in the form of a folder. Homelife in Madam H's lovely flat was bliss.

https://www.louvre.fr/en/mediaimages/eugene-delacroix-le-28-juillet-la-liberte-guidant-le-peuple-musee-du-louvre

Merci beaucoup, Sasa! for treating us (Sasa's brother and nephew and friends and Olga and me) to hear jazz singer Isabelle Seleskovitch! So many other experiences... Merci, Sasa!

Merci beaucoup, Madame Hamou, for letting us meet you! I wish you and everyone around you excellent health and bliss!

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Merci beaucoup, LaH et Sasa, for posing for me.

Merci beaucoup, LaH et Sharon, for posing in front of Ladurée, avenue des Champs Elysées

author and writing coach Mary E. Knippel http://yourwritingmentor.com/ near Pont Alexandre III - photo by theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, September 2019

Nan et Mary E. Knippel immensely enjoyed Berthe Marisot exhibition at le Musée d'Orsay. Merci, Sasa, for introducing me to this beloved artist!

Nan loves to visit le Musée d'Orsay - photo by theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung

Paris !

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Margie Yee Webb, Sasa Southard, Teresa Jade LeYung at Nuit Blanche so happy to see Daniel Buren's installation with their own eyes (2019 Paris) - magical photo of magical moment by MYW!

Sasa et Margie at Pierre Hermé, 86 Av. des Champs-Élysées

Paris !

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artist MT and artist Chandra Garsson https://www.facebook.com/butterflybonesandhummingbirdsongs, I just know you would have loved experiencing Vincent van Gogh's paintings projected onto walls and floors at l'Atelier des Lumières Paris https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en (unique art center presenting classic pieces in immersive music)

La Tour Eiffel, I dream of you!

Paris!

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Teresa Jade LeYung says: "Eating a sandwich in Paris is bliss." - photo by Mary E. Knippel

Mere thought of smelling, seeing, eating quiche in Paris brings BLISS

Cakes at Angelina

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Thank you, Chi Nei Tsang practitioner Marie-Christine Cornet, for showing me Espace des femmes Antoinette Fouque https://www.espace-des-femmes.fr/

Paroisse Saint-Ambroise in 11th arrondissement, photo_by_Teresa_Jade_LeYung 2019_Paris

Looking out Madame Puech's kitchen window is bliss.

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Postcards sold at newsstands / kiosks (Presse) or in shops mesmerize me

Parc Monceau, I dream of you!

Choosing postcards to send to friends is a joyful ritual when I am in Paris

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Mere thought of smelling, seeing, savoring croissant, pain au chocolat, brioche in Paris brings BLISS

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THE BOOKS:

CONSTRUCTIVE LIVING: Outgrow Shyness, Depression, Fear, Stress, Grief, Chronic Pain (by David K. Reynolds),

LOVING WHAT IS: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life (by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell),

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom a Toltec Wisdom Book (by Don Miguel Ruiz), 

MY DREAMS: A Simple Guide to Dream Interpretation ( by Angie Choi )

THE BOOKS:

Dr. Michael Moskowitz‘s and Dr. Marla Golden‘s workbook  - TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION (also their webinars and brain graphics)

Dr. Danielle Rosenman‘s 10-page guide “Neuroplasticity: Change the Brain to Heal from Pain, Illness, Anxiety, and Depression”  https://www.medicalcounseling.net/

Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book – The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)

Dr. Victoria Sweet‘s 2 books -  SLOW MEDICINE The Way to Healing   and   GOD’S HOTEL: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine 

Thank you to the healers and the people who led me to them, then and now:

Dr. Susan Thackrey! Thanks to my sister for finding my first healer for me!

All the caring physicians who have retired.

All the kindhearted mentors!!!

Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT  http://www.duskyswondersite.com/

Reiki Masters and authors Kim McMillon, Lakshmi Kerner, Martha Alderson; BrainGym teacher and memoirist Luisa Adams

Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist, for teaching me Feldenkrais techniques

Dr. Amy Grace Lam, vibrational energy healer http://amygracelam.com/

Artist and Curator Cynthia Tom’s program of transformation A PLACE OF HER OWN https://www.aplaceofherown.org/

Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France) Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/

Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM, is a California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist http://stephaniedoucette.com/ 

Dr. Madele Limpahan

Dr. Danielle Rosenman‘s coaching  https://www.medicalcounseling.net

and all the other healers in my life who happen to be precious friends and relatives!

I wish everyone and your BBs easy access to BLISS via thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs.

Thank you for reading “Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says ‘Be kind to our beautiful brains.’”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

Thank you, MT et MYW, for masks; Starry Night mask by Dahlynn of WoodstockAndYarn

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an alumna of artist Cynthia Tom’s A PLACE OF HER OWN, an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.

Blog Post #601

2021 Feb 2, 22:08–22:43;  Feb 6, 22:15–; Feb 8, 00:54–; Feb. 9, 21:21–; Feb. 11, 01:06–; Feb. 12, 01:45; amended Feb. 13; amended Feb. 15

Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says…

Thank you to all the precious people in my life who have given me joyful memories – elixirs as I journey through the dark side of pain, practice neuroplasticity … to achieve wellness.

The experts and resources for wellness I found in 2015 to help my papa and friends are now helping me as I retrain my Brain to STOP sending my body pain signals and other unpleasant sensations after a bout of shingles last year. (According to Mayo Clinic… “After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles…. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.”)

I am forever grateful to Dusky Pierce, MFT who led me to Dr. Norman Doidge’s books (about neuroplasticity/our beautiful adaptable brains) which introduced me to methods developed by Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, and, to Dr. Michael Moskowitz.  Also, I am forever grateful to Linda A. Harris for remembering Dr. Danielle Rosenman https://www.medicalcounseling.net/; Dr. Rosenman (trained by Dr. Moskowitz)  has coached me to practice neuroplasticity for wellness.

Techniques are simple, the journey not so easy.  Persistent pain signals and other unpleasant sensations BE GONE BE GONE!

A unique aspect of retraining Beautiful Brain (BB) to rid persistent pain is not to talk about it.  BB is so good at creating pain, my talking about it and thinking about it only sabotage my healing.

During a webinar with Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden http://www.neuroplastix.com, Dr. Moskowitz recommended listening to Professor Lorimer Moseley talk about our brains and neuroplasticity – that Professor Moseley uses humor in his presentations.

This blog post contains my notes from –

“Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley -

Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

“What we now understand about pain.”

The term “neuroplasticity”  = how adaptable our nervous system is. The other side of neuroplasticity is sometimes called “the dark side.”

“The mechanisms that cause us to change in a good way can also cause us to change in a way that makes our lives more difficult and more unpleasant.

“If you have a brain, you will experience pain. If you don’t have a brain, you won’t experience pain.

“We feel pain in our body, and, we feel it in a particular location, but, it is impossible to feel pain without a brain, and, it is completely possible to feel pain without the body part.”

Professor Moseley tells his story  about encountering a man (with wooden leg) who was in agonizing pain (where his leg would have been). The man experienced SEVERE pain but he had NO tissue damage.

“The brain produces pain.  The brain does not recognize pain coming from something else.”

“Chronic pain is misunderstood.”

All images are from “ Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley - Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

 World’s most burdensome Health Issues

#1 Chronic back pain

#2 Depression

#4 Chronic neck pain

#8 Migraine and headache

#9 Diabetes

#11 Osteoarthritis

“Pain is our most sophisticated protective device.”

Nociceptors – detection of tissue damage or danger = danger receptors

[  Example from me, Teresa - at age 8, I touched a hot iron.  The nerves in my finger sent messages to my brain which then instantaneously sent pain to protect me; the pain stopped me from continuing touching the source of danger. ]

Professor Moseley gave example:  Violinists.  Pain threshold of their left little finger is lower than pain threshold of their right little finger. Why? Left little finger is used to play the instrument while right little finger could be missing but musician would still be able to hold the bow. Fingers on left hand need more protection; brain is more protective of left hand.

For Professor Moseley’s talk “Getting a grip on pain and the brain” go to:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

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You can experience SEVERE pain but have NO damage.

AND

You can experience NO pain but have severe damage.

Brain produces pain.  Brain is the most trainable we’ve got!

Pain depends on how much danger your brain THINKS you are in, not how much danger you are really in.

Information gets stored in the brain. Brain uses information to evaluate danger to your body. Does Brain think this situation is more dangerous or less dangerous? If Brain’s conclusion is “this is dangerous”, Brain sends pain.

[  Teresa here…

Even though shingles rash healed completely last year… the scar tissue is red.  The color “red” has meaning for my Brain.   “Red” represents “hot” and “dangerous”.  My Brain remembers the hot iron incident from my childhood, and, all my experiences with pain. Brain evaluates all that information and concludes that I still need protecting, so, Brain does what Brain does so well . . . create pain signals to protect me. I can’t sip hot tea or stand in front of a hot stove for more than a minute … before Brain sends signals to “protect” me.  How I retrain my brain (“interrupt” unpleasant signals) are summarized in my blog posts published on November 6, 2020, January 3, 2021, and January 13, 2021. Since our brains are unique (the way our fingerprints are unique), what works for me might not work for someone else. Not only do our brains record our experiences, but also incidents we’ve witnessed, heard about, read about.

If my brain had ignored what I had read and heard …

(from Mayo Clinic site, medical experts, and my own memory of a loved one describing her experience with shingles) – “that the condition can be very painful … that the most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia, which causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have cleared…”

then I wouldn’t be feeling pain now. ]

All images are from “ Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley - Successful Ageing Seminar 2013?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

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What you’re seeing is produced by the brain.  According to meaning!

At about 19 minutes and 39 seconds into his talk, Professor Moseley shows this slide on the screen to demonstrate how our “visual experience depends on the evaluation of sensory input.”

We see a checkerboard of white and gray squares; the greenish cylinder is casting shadows on some of the squares.  The square that has “A” on it appears to be gray. The square that has “B” on it appears to be white.

Retinal information is sent to the Brain,  then the Brain gathers everything else we’ve learned in our entire life – for meaning.

Professor Moseley then extracts these two squares from the board – the two square are the same color!  They are the same color when no other data are presented to create meaning.

Our brain produces a different picture when it evaluates our experiences, contexts, and environment … for meaning.

You are seeing this, but, it’s not really there. Like pain. You are feeling it because the brain produces it.

Professor Moseley shows  more examples . . .

” … the nature of your relationship, the roles that you have in society, the role in that context affects your pain. Not how you cope with your pain…  It doesn’t change the ‘danger message,’  it changes the pain. ”

How dangerous is this, really?

When Brain concludes that the situation is dangerous, Brain will send pain signals, even when reality is not dangerous.

And vice versa . . .

 At about 22 minutes and 30 seconds into his talk, Professor Moseley shows the slide of the runner who fractured his leg during triple jump at American Olympics Trials.  The runner’s brain evaluated his priorities and ignored the danger messages. Even though his body was experiencing severe damage … his brain didn’t send pain … until he looked down at his knee.

Pain depends on how much danger your brain THINKS you are in, not how much danger you are really in.

At about 25 minutes and 10 seconds into his talk,  Professor Lorimer Moseley shares personal experience.

He was walking in the bush, felt something on his outer leg.

How dangerous is this, really?  He has walked in this setting hundreds of time.

Danger receptors in Body and Brain; nerves influence other nerves.  His visual cortex plus memory circuits concluded that the sensation is the result of a twig scratching the skin of his leg.

He swam. He woke up 4 days later, had been bitten by Eastern Brown snake.

High danger but felt low pain.

Nine months later, walking in the bush again. He felt something on his outer leg. This time his brain sent harsh pain to protect him. When he looked down, this time it was just a twig.  Very low danger but felt severe pain.

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at 34 minutes, Professor Lorimer Moseley talks about “The Brain’s evaluation of danger.”

All these systems that end up producing pain become more sensitive the longer you have pain.

Your systems learn how to make pain, so, you need less and less to aggravate your pain.

Things that don’t seem related can aggravate your pain.

Need to untangle the system.

Pain depends on how much danger my brain THINKS I am in, not how much danger I am really in.

[ Teresa here …  Our neighbors are modifying their house to “age in place” – construction workers hammering, using power tools … Monday through Friday.  The noise is impacting everyone’s tranquility, but, not everyone is experiencing pain the way I am.  Thank you, Dr. Amy Grace Lam, for helping me decipher why my brain has concluded that noise is dangerous. I had (but my brain and body have not) forgotten … about another time in my life when noise from neighbors impacted my health, forcing me to leave a lovely home.  So now my brain protects me by sending me pain and other unpleasant sensations. What beautiful brain-body communications we have!]

At 35 minutes, Professor Moseley gives additional data regarding the Dark Side of Neuroplasticity

“One in five Westerners  have chronic pain that disable them. The majority…  we can’t explain in their bodies. Understand what contributes to pain….”

What implies “Threat” to body tissue?

What implies “Safety”?

at 38 minutes and 20 seconds into his talk, Professor Moseley says:

“Aging system, less responsive. Sensitized system, more protective. Not just activity that Brain is exposed to. Anything that the Brain finds as threat.”

[ Teresa here … I was studying two Charles Chaplin  movies – both scripts are brilliant. However, the themes in MONSIEUR VERDOUX (1947) sparked pain signals; two scenes in A KING IN NEW YORK (1957) did the same. ]

The longer you have pain, the better your system gets at producing it.

The good news:  My body and brain are adaptable and will change if I train them.

I am determined to walk and imagine my way to wellness!

This is my journey. All that I have learned from people who care about people have brought me here. I thank you with all my heart.

I wish everyone excellent health, kindness, and sweet laughter.

Thank you for reading my blog post “Brain / Pain Scientist Professor Lorimer Moseley uses humor to help us understand the Dark Side of Pain” 

Again, thank you, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, for recommending Professor Lorimer Moseley’s talks.

Having been coached by Dr. Danielle Rosenman, and, remembering what I’ve learned from Dusky Pierce (Byron Katie https://thework.com/), and now using the workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION  by Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden . . . I am keeping my BB busy!

2021 January 30 Haiku poem  by  Teresa Jade LeYung

Brain much too busy

to send Body pain signals

during walk, must walk.

If I cannot walk

I imagine legs walking

step by step by step

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog   If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.

Love Made Of Heart ®

Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung offers resources regarding our beautiful  brains  / persistent pain / depression  / wellness through her Blog: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART:  Journey Through Mental Illness (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.

Updated 2020 November 6, 13:22 PST

2020 October 29 California USA

2020 November 4,5,6

In American author L. Frank Baum’s children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,  Dorothy and her dog Toto meet the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Woodman who wants a heart, and the Lion who wants courage.

I shall focus on what the Scarecrow doesn’t have and wants.

The Scarecrow who doesn’t have a brain would feel no pain.  He can’t.

He might sustain injuries and illnesses, but, until he gets a full brain (the thinking conscious brain in addition to the automatic survival brain), he would not feel any pain. Without the thinking conscious brain, he wouldn’t feel any sensation – pleasant ones or unpleasant ones.

Unpleasant sensations?   Pain.  Depression. Anxiety.

If I were the Wizard, before granting Mr. Scarecrow what he wants, I would tell him this:

Dear Mr. Scarecrow,

When you get what you want – a beautiful brain – you will be getting an adaptable nervous system – adaptability which scientists call neuroplasticity.  The brain changes whenever we learn to do something new or when we stop doing something. The brain produces sensations, including pain.  According to Dr. Norman Doidge,  Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Professor Lorimer Moseley and other neuroscientists and physicians … pain is our most sophisticated protective device.

In Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s most engaging workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION, they inform: “Acute pain is an alarm going off in the brain that signifies danger and/or damage to the body….  The experience of pain may be the single most important perception we have to help us survive…. This is quite different than persistent pain experience, in which the signal sets up an endless loop between body and brain, inflammatory processes become chronic, anti-inflammatory processes are overwhelmed, and the nerve cells dedicated to pain increase up to five-fold.  Acute pain helps with survival while persistent pain transforms danger into misery.”

In his presentations, Professor Lorimer Moseley says: “We feel pain in our body, in a particular location, but, it is impossible to feel pain without the brain, and, it is definitely possible to feel pain without the body part.”

Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden also say: “This is why general anesthetics work – by separating the thinking conscious brain from the automatic survival brain. During anesthesia, the survival part of the brain stays active, but, the perceptive part of the brain is turned off.”

By the way, Dr. Moskowitz is Chapter 1 in Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

Chapter 1 Physician Hurt, Then Heal Thyself -  Michael Moskowitz Discovers That Chronic Pain Can Be Unlearned

I am giving you this information because you say you want a brain.  Understanding how your brain and pain pathways work can help dissipate fear.  Your loyal friends will stick by you, as mine have (I am forever grateful to them), but, you will be the one experiencing the sensations. Even the most courageous heroes can feel defeated when persistent pain takes over their lives.

“What is the antidote for pain, depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms?  PLEASURE.

“How to accomplish this?

“By studying the brain and practicing … by using thoughts, images, sensations, soothing memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs … to harness the power of our brains,” Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden instruct.  On the last page of their workbook, they leave us with plenty of hope: “Neuroplastic Transformation opens a new approach to treating people living with persistent pain ….   The overarching message is that persistent pain can be challenged and defeated  by using the same principles that have created it.”

The simple act of smiling for yourself will help your beautiful brain’s natural production of chemicals that include GABA, Anandamide, Endorphins, Oxytocin.

Dr. Danielle Rosenman reminded me:  “When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.” Thank you, Dr. Rosenman

Mr. Scarecrow, I wish you a new beautiful life. Also, I wish you, and Dorothy, Toto, Mr. Tin Woodman, Mr. Lion, and everyone you folks care about — safety, excellent health, and plenty of pleasure for all your beautiful brains.

Here are the names of a few “Wonderful Wizards” who have enriched my life through their books about our brains and wellness, their talks, or their treatments

https://youtu.be/5p6sbi_0lLc  to see the 41 minute talk  “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley – Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″ on Youtube

http://www.neuroplastix.com/  for Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden - TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION workbook and webinars and brain graphics

http://www.normandoidge.com/ for Dr. Norman Doidge (look for his talks posted on Youtube)

Dr. Doidge’s first book – The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)

Dr. Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)

To my compassionate primary care physician (present and past) and the entire team at SEBMF, I thank you!

https://www.medicalcounseling.net/   Danielle Rosenman, M.D. uses neuroplasticity, imagery, meditation, psychotherapy, and other techniques in her Medical Counseling practice and in her innovative “Tools for Healing” groups.

http://amygracelam.com/ Dr. Amy Grace Lam, vibrational energy healer,  says: “I do this work by connecting with your body’s vibrational energy field to learn what unconscious beliefs and emotions are hindering you the most and supporting you in accessing your body’s wisdom for transformation.”

http://www.duskyswondersite.com/ Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT says: “Mind/body approaches such as EMDR and Emotional Freedom Technique are scientifically proven methods that we might use to address trauma or deep emotional wounds.”

http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/ Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France), Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner, says: “Connecting to your body and its wealth of intelligence and wisdom is the portal to living Life deeply and authentically.”

http://stephaniedoucette.com/  Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM, is a California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist. She is nationally certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine and practices integrative orthopedic therapy, bringing together acupuncture, deep tissue massage and manual orthopedic techniques to treat neuromuscular injury and chronic pain.

https://www.victoriasweet.com/ for Dr. Victoria Sweet

Dr. Sweet’s first book – God’s Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine

Dr. Sweet’s second book - Slow Medicine: The Way to Healing

Remember to smile for your beautiful brain, not just on the Yellow Brick Road but wherever you are.  During the pandemic when we’re all wearing masks to protect others and ourselves… all the more reason to smile for your brain’s pleasure pathways.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Love Made Of Heart ®

Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain”

I recommend this spellbinding workbook -

Transforming the Brain In Pain

Neuroplastic Transformation

by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD and Marla D. Golden, DO

Why doesn’t the pain stop?

Listen to your body talk

Use your brain to stop your pain

https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm

http://www.neuroplastix.com/ for Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s webinars

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog   If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.

author Teresa Jade LeYung, mask by Emily O, July 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

To help prevent spread of COVID-19 virus, I wear face-covering AND keep at least 6-foot-distance with people who don’t live with me. No blaming No shaming; I protect myself and everyone else.

Teresa Jade LeYung speaks out and offers resources through her Blog: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Teresa talks about her work of art entitled ”Four Desks for the Four Femmes In Me” at A PLACE OF HER OWN (Founder/Director/Curator: Cynthia Tom) 2018 Exhibition https://youtu.be/JtvIsTjcbOk  2 minutes, 44 seconds

Teresa Jade LeYung, September 2019 photo by Mary E. Knippel

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days (a workbook), and Talking To My Dead Mom (monologues), advocate for public libraries and public schools, and, admirer of City of Light.

Theme Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s Blog Post 1 of 3

“What I Learned About the Brain from Dr. Norman Doidge’s 2 Books”

I thank Norman Doidge, M.D. and everyone who contributed to his two books.  http://www.normandoidge.com/

• * The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science  (March 2007 hardcover; December 2007 paperback)

• * The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (January 2015 hardcover; January 2016 paperback)

On October 21, 2015, I had published my blog post entitled “The Brain’s Way of Healing – Chapter Titles and Index in Book Spark Hope and Motivation to Ask Physicians the Right Questions  As my family members and friends know, what I had learned from Dr. Doidge’s books helped me help my papa.

While loved ones who are ill or have diseases and do not have the energy to read and process the valuable information, WE do, and WE can help them and ourselves.

Knowledge that leads to health and wellness – this is my wish for everyone.

Dr. Doidge’s books are most engaging- I learned from the stories – I did NOT have to look up medical terms; the footnotes were equally engaging.

You have friends who have had . . . Strokes?  Chronic pain?  Suffering from symptoms of MS?  Cerebral Palsy?  Muscular Dystrophy?  Alzheimer’s?  Parkinson’s?  Head injury? Balance problems? Vision problems? Depression?

Dear friend and colleague Elisa Sasa Southard was the one who taught me about hooking attention with no more than 3 talking points in a speech.  Here are mine for this post. I (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) learned that the awesome brain refreshes itself which leads to healing… with a little help from us:

* LIGHT – sit in direct natural light (approximately 20 minutes a day).  Florence Nightingale who established the first professional training school for nurses, Sister J. Ward  who was in charge of preemies in a hospital in Essex, England, Soranus of Ephesus (physician in imperial Rome) – they knew about the healing power of natural light. The Romans had a law “right to light” which guaranteed people’s access to the sun in their homes.

* SELF IMAGE – look at a photograph of yourself (a photo reminiscent of a time when you felt vital) OR create that picture in your mind’s eyes – athletes and musicians know the benefits of visualization as a way of training

* SOUND – sing the songs from your past (a time when you felt vital)  Sara Davidson’s April 23, 2009 article “The Songs They Can’t Forget” for The New York Times – The New Old Age – Caring and Coping Blog inspired me to publish my blog post of July 2 (with a P.S. on July 18), 2017  Dementia. Alzheimer’s. Losing Memory. Losing Joy. Songs from the Past. Experience Joy Again.

Our amazing brains! Help our brains “rewire” (I say “refresh”) to enjoy life. Help the people we care about.

I am Theme Consultant/Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who teaches my clients (writers and artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication –

* identify themes in your manuscripts so that you can rewrite with ease;

* identify themes in your intellectual properties and create scripts for your websites/blogs, pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog posts.

Please visit http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog and http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  for resources.

Coach Teresa’s motto:  “Reach out, not stress out. Help your fans find you BEFORE & AFTER publication”

Teresa’s workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – print edition available at http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA  and on Amazon – print edition and Kindle edition!

Teresa’s novel:

Love Made of Heart: a daughter–mother love story (used in colleges; recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association)

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

November 15, 2009

A week ago, I saw a plastic bag of dog poop sitting beside the curb in front of my home. Well, whoever left it there probably had an emergency to take care of (maybe the dog ran off to chase a squirrel and so the human had to run after the dog). No doubt, the following day when human and dog come by on their walk, the human would see the abandoned bag and say to himself/herself: “Oh, look. I’ll dispose of this today.”

Another two days go by.  The bag is now flattened (probably by a neighbor’s tire) and some of the poop has oozed out.
What is it with dog poop in my path?

Last year, dog excrement (sans bag) was sitting on the sidewalk at the corner. I almost stepped on it when I was approaching the trunk of my car to get my walking shoes. After my walk around the neighborhood, I called my Constructive Living Instructor Patricia Ryan Madson. “Patricia,” I asked, “Am I supposed to pick it up?”
Patricia didn’t have to answer. I just wanted to hear the logic:  In practicing Constructive Living, I could stay annoyed (in this case–a neighbor has not picked up after his/her pet) or I could “take care of what’s in front of me.”  My friend Marie Elena Gaspari (also a writing coach) speaks the same wisdom.

Today, I told my hubby about what’s lying on the street.  He offered to dispose of the mess.  I knew “who” needed to clean the mess.
It’s late afternoon now.   I know that when I go outside again, I will see a clean street because I took care of what was in front of me.

As a writing coach, I remind myself that in a story the protagonist has to be the one who takes action or suffer the consequences of being a “passive character.”

How can dog poop help your writing?  Don’t let your protagonist be passive.

The book – Constructive Living: Outgrow Shyness, Depression, Fear, Stress, Grief, Chronic Pain by David K. Reynolds.  Achieve the goal of Constructive Living – to do everything well. Western world Dr. Reynolds had combined two of the most popular forms of therapy in Japan.

Cheers from

22-Day Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW. Click here for print edition. Click here for Kindle edition. “Reach out, not stress out.”

Teresa’s novel Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby is used in college courses and archived at the San Francisco History Center.

Subscribe to  “Coach Teresa’s blog” Click here to start.