Back pain’s been part of my life longer than I’d like to admit. It creeps in during long drives, flares up when I skip my stretches, and at its worst—it’s that sharp, breath-stealing kind that reminds me I’ve been ignoring what my body’s been trying to say for years. That’s the real kicker, isn’t it?…
Anyone who’s ever been knocked out by a sudden, brutal headache knows the struggle of trying to figure out what the heck just hit them. I used to think all headaches were just… headaches. That was until I had my first cluster headache—it felt like someone was stabbing my eye with an ice pick on…
Back pain and I go way back—literally. After years of trying different treatments, endless Googling, and bouncing between professionals, I finally stumbled upon something that didn’t just focus on fixing my spine but how I *felt* about it: somatic tracking. Now, I know it sounds a little out-there at first, but stay with me—because this…
If you told me years ago that my stomach might be messing with my back, I would’ve laughed—right before grabbing a heating pad. But here we are. After years of navigating persistent back pain and hitting dead ends with stretches, posture fixes, and even injections, I stumbled into something unexpected: the gut-brain axis. And let…
There was a time when I used to alternate between holding a bag of frozen peas to my temple and curling up with a heating pad behind my neck, wondering if either of them was actually helping. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been in the same frustrating spot—head throbbing, nausea bubbling, and desperately…
I remember after my first flare-up of lower back pain, I thought I’d bounce back in a week. Spoiler: I didn’t. I tried to rush the process—stretching aggressively, working out too soon, skipping rest days. Big mistake. If you’re like me, you’re probably Googling something like “how long does it take to recover from back…
If you’ve ever asked yourself what RA joint pain feels like, you’re not alone—and as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain isn’t just your typical ache or stiffness after a long day. It’s deep, persistent, and can feel downright cruel. One of my…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis, you already know it’s more than just joint pain — it’s a daily challenge that can test your patience, energy, and overall well-being. From my years working as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how the right self-care strategies can make a real difference in managing symptoms and…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that flare-ups can hit without much warning — turning a normal day into a painful struggle. How to prepare for a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up isn’t just about managing pain when it happens; it’s about anticipating those tough days and arming yourself with strategies to lessen their…