Posts Tagged ‘pleasure’
2021 August 14, 21:08 California
Dear Reader,
I hope you are well.
Several people I care about are struggling with illnesses and side effects of medications. This blog post is to share what Dr. Danielle Rosenman has taught me – to retrain Beautiful Brain to wellness.
Dr. Rosenman herself needs our prayers and well wishes right now. She needs her “bag of tricks”. I hope Dr. Rosenman’s family members have photos of her in every room, in her field of vision, so that her Beautiful Brain can “register” her own vibrancy. “Seeing” one’s vitality helps Beautiful Brain relearn wellness. May Dr. Rosenman enjoy complete wellness soon.
[When we don't have photos or when we have weak or no eyesight or when no one is around to help us - we send our thoughts to memories of our vibrant selves. ]
During neuroplasticity coaching, Dr. Danielle Rosenman instructs: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your brain. When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.”
A thousand thanks to Dr. Rosenman for the coaching sessions, and to Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden for their magnificent workbook and webinars, to Professor Lorimer Moseley for his wonderful presentations (find him on YouTube), to Dr. Victoria Sweet for instilling appreciation of “slow medicine”, to Dr. Norman Doidge for his books (find him on YouTube), Dr. Amy Grace Lam for extraordinary healing, and, of course to all the dear hearts who care about my well-being.
Thank you, Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, for leading me to Dr. Doidge’s books. Thank you, Linda Harris, for remembering that Dr. Rosenman uses Dr. Moskowitz’s techniques.
Prior to August 2020 . . . “Shingles” “chickenpox reactivated” “postherpetic neuralgia” “persistent pain” “neurological disorder” “keloid scars” were just words to me.
When Shingles rash broke out, and the pain, oh the acute pain (thank you dear Linda Harris and GH for your loving care) . . . my primary care physician prescribed Gabapentin, in addition to Tylenol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. After the rash began to heal … but the pain would not go away (persistent pain) and depression set in …. I was in bigger trouble.
In his engaging talks, Professor Lorimer Moseley explains:
“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.
“Pain is our most sophisticated protective device.”
“The term ‘neuroplasticity‘ refers to the adaptability of our nervous system. 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.”
Unpleasant sensations? Pain. Depression. Anxiety. Dizziness. And, what I call “Ick”
Truths help me persevere in retraining “Beautiful Brain” (“BB”)
From Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook, from Dr. Rosenman’s guide, from Professor Moseley’s talks, from (Teresa Jade LeYung) my own experiences:
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The brain doesn’t just receive information from the body, but sends directions back out to tell the body what to do.
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The brain “reads” everything going on in the body 30 times a second for an entire life.
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The adult brain changes throughout our lives based upon the information it receives from our bodies
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The brain changes whenever we learn to do something new or when we stop doing something
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The brain stores not only all my experiences, but also, everything I’ve watched and heard, in addition to genetic information
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The adaptable nervous system – adaptability which scientists call neuroplasticity.
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Without the thinking conscious brain, I wouldn’t feel any sensation – pleasant ones or unpleasant ones.
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What is the antidote for pain, depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms? PLEASURE.
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Beautiful Brains (doing their jobs to protect Body Tissue) can make mistakes, mistakes that deplete vitality.
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Thank goodness BBs (even when stubborn) can be retrained!
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The simple act of smiling for myself helps BB’s natural production of chemicals that include GABA, Anandamide, Endorphins, Oxytocin.
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My BB is THE expert of my experiences; however the expert can and does make mistakes; I can retrain BB to gain wellness
I was successful retraining Beautiful Brain (“BB”) to stop sending pain signals. My troubles were over . . . so I thought.
Gradually, pain morphed into another unpleasant symptoms / awful sensation. It even spread to parts of the body that never had Shingles rash.
[2021 August 15, 12:03pm Addendum –
Also, Beautiful Brain reactivates pain signals from past injuries (in my hand and in my knee). BB’s wanting to protect body tissue, so BB sends signals to grab my attention, except grabbing my attention this way saps my energy. It’s like an alarm clock’s “snooze” setting in malfunction, going off at random.]
Remembering what Professor Moseley said - that “Pain is our most sophisticated protective device” – and what my mentor (author Margaret Davis) said to me: “Teresa, can’t you apply the very same techniques you used to retrain your brain on pain to rid this undesirable sensation?”
YES, I can.
Through their workbook, Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden instruct: ” … harness the power of our brains.” 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.”
Interrupt unpleasant signals with pleasurable …
- THOUGHTS
- IMAGES
- SENSATIONS
- MEMORIES
- SOOTHING EMOTIONS
- MOVEMENT
- BELIEFS
Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden http://neuroplastix.com/
My February 11, 2021 blog post “Brain / Pain Scientist Professor Lorimer Moseley uses humor to help us understand Dark Side of Pain” is at:
which highlights “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley - Successful Ageing Seminar 2013? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc
I am convinced that one safe place is my own thoughts. However the same place could be my enemy, so, it’s up to my will power to go to safe thoughts, beautiful thoughts, healing thoughts. The words in my thoughts hold much power.
I am one of the fortunate ones – to live with housemates who care about me, in a pleasant environment, and in a position to shelter-in-place during this pandemic.
Other folks are not so fortunate – their external world could be chaotic, even traumatic … The only safe place could be their beautiful thoughts.
I remember Dr. Danielle Rosenman telling me during neuroplasticity coaching: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your brain. When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.”
Also I remember how she taught me to create my unique “bag of tricks” to retrain Beautiful Brain (small items to look at, to smell, to touch…to recall pleasure, vibrancy, peace). But, what about when there is no physical “bag of tricks”? I have my thoughts! Thoughts of Beauty! No no can take that away from me.
This blog post has taken many hours over many days – this is what it’s like to work while retraining Beautiful Brain with a neurological disorder
2021 August 4, 02:02-02:38; 15:54; August 5, 18:48; August 6, 14:55, 23:56; August 7, 00:10; 21:57; August 8, 13:56; August 10, 12:58pm; August 11, 17:17, August 12, 13:44; August 13, 17:14; August 14, 20:45 California
Thank you for reading this blog post “Retraining Beautiful Brain By Rewriting My Personal Truths With Wordplay” by Teresa Jade LeYung
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.
I wish you and your Beautiful Brain safety, kindness, excellent health.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
*****
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog Post Number 600; Part 3 of first trilogy on our Beautiful Brains -
2021 January 11, 22:55 — January 12, 00:10; January 12, 22:18–23:28; January 13, 14:14–15:10; 17:44–19:27; 19:56–22:36
California USA
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Look what happens when persistent (chronic) pain pathways take over the other brain functions – impacting my emotions, problem-solving, memory, creativity, and …”
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All graphics in this blog post are from Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO
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When Beautiful Brain is not producing pain -
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When Beautiful Brain is producing acute pain –
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When Beautiful Brain is producing persistent (chronic) pain -
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According to Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Danielle Rosenman -
There are 9 areas in the thinking brain (actually a few more, because some are on both sides of the brain) that control our personal experience of pain and discomfort. This is where pain signals are received. Normally, only 5% of the nerve cells in the brain process pain. In persistent pain, 15-25% of the cells of the entire brain are involved! The actual map of the brain has changed, with an increased part of the map given to pain. This is because the pain areas get bigger, stealing nerves and synapses (connections) from the rest of the brain.
The relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression):
Remember that the brain has different areas for different functions? It’s actually more complicated than that! Many brain functions are located in the same areas or are very close together, and there are some shared connections. (Review: “Nerves that fire together wire together.”)
Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say to “flood” the brain map, interrupt pain signals with pleasurable –
- THOUGHTS
- IMAGES
- SENSATIONS
- MEMORIES
- SOOTHING EMOTIONS
- MOVEMENT
- BELIEFS
Dr. Danielle Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I refuse to let pain pathways hijack other Brain functions. Some days I win the steering wheel/control panel. Other days Pain/Depression win. The more consistent I give my Beautiful Brain pleasure, the more winning days I shall have.
“Dr. Danielle Rosenman (via ZOOM sessions) has guided and coached me (with techniques from Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden) in creating my unique ‘bag of tricks’ to interrupt pain, depression and other unpleasant signals.”
Dr. Norman Doidge and Professor Lorimer Moseley say: “MOVEMENT is critical in retraining the nervous system. Even imagining movement will retrain the system!”
https://www.neura.edu.au/staff/prof-lorimer-moseley/
How do I create Pleasure for my Brain? How do I communicate with / give feedback to my Brain?
My evolving “Bag of Tricks” (with the 7 modalities) to give my Beautiful Brain pleasure:
“Imagining” any of these modalities when I can’t access the physical form (especially during COVID-19 Stay At Home order) serves me well.
THOUGHTS -
When pain or depression signals (including unpleasant thoughts) pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasurable thoughts.
Pleasurable Thoughts this month include: candied wintermelon pastry (thanks to MT’s selecting); sweet persimmons (thanks to EO); Nan’s signature pesto; Linda’s signature pear Clafoutis; Sasa’s signature salads; Pad Thai with fresh ingredients.
IMAGES -
Because our brains store all experiences (including what we see in movies. read about, and hear about…), I have to stay away from all unpleasant images (even some of my favorite movies, details of sensational news) while I am retraining Beautiful Brain
Pleasurable images include looking at – my photos taken in Paris; postcards of paintings by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall; photos from MT of her hikes; photos from Marie-Christine (she’s in France); photos of nature and kids (2-legged and 4-legged ones) from all my friends; art by Chandra Garsson, Cynthia Tom, Cris Matos, Sharon Leong; photos of Happy Dog (my sister Maria Kawah Leung’s hero in her book Little Heroes Of Bay Street); seeing Linda’s little Gracie; the montage (of me and “Brain-no-pain”) at the end of this blog post.
SENSATIONS -
Some sensations I liked (before persistent pain began) aren’t pleasurable right now – drinking hot tea fuels pain right now.
While I am happy for neighbors who are modifying their house for “Aging In Place”, the construction noise (hammering, drilling) also fuels pain and depression right now.
Pleasurable sensations include - cool and cold water on skin; seeing green plants, blue sky, squirrels and hummingbirds in our patio and neighbor’s; laughing at GOMER PYLE USMC episodes (especially Season 3, Episode 6); smiling for myself; listening to “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy; tasting sweet fruit on tongue; smelling roses; firm and soothing touch to the body part that is feeling pain.
MEMORIES -
Because our brains store all memories … when unpleasant memories pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasant ones.
Pleasurable memories:
- Being with people I care about.
- Eating breads and quiches, buying postcards, and walking and gawking at buildings in Paris
- Living sans clutter
SOOTHING EMOTIONS – this is most difficult for me
When my reaction to someone’s behavior brings on pain and other unpleasant signals, I send my thoughts to what the person means to me.
Remember what the good doctors said about “the relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression)?
Please see Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION page 35 through page 75. And, I hope you’ll find someone like Dr. Danielle Rosenman to coach you.
MOVEMENT -
Walking in the neighborhood (when my Brain is occupied with looking, listening, smelling… I feel no pain); dancing with Ms. Sophia Loren, Ms. Rita Hayworth, and Ms. Cyd Charisse (thanks to Youtube clips) ; imagining flying (ballet) over Paris; and running on dirt tracks and fields of wildflowers!
BELIEFS -
That I hold the power to be pain-free and depression-free; that every task can be accomplished with ease; that wellness is reality
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Thank you, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, and Professor Lorimer Moseley!
Thank you, Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist, for teaching me Feldenkrais techniques! Thank you, mentor Lynn Scott, for the referral!
Thank you, Dr. Danielle Rosenman!
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.
Thank you, Dr. Amy Grace Lam ! vibrational energy healer
Thank you, all dear hearts who care about me and have helped/are helping me on this journey !!!!!
My next blog post will be about what I continue to learn from: “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley – Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″ https://youtu.be/5p6sbi_0lLc 41 minutes
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.
I wish you, dear Reader and your Beautiful Brain, wellness!
Sincerely,
Love Made Of Heart ®
To read Part 1 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/story-theme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-scarecrow-in-the-wizard-of-oz-would-feel-no-pain/
To read Part 2 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Adaptable Brain, Let Quiet Enter.” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/storytheme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-adaptable-brain-let-quiet-enter/
Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story continuity/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 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.
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, 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.