Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | February 2024 • 5 • INNER CHI Finding Your We have all experienced pain at some point in our lives – scraping our knee, hitting our “funny” bone, or perhaps something more long-lasting, such as migraines. Pain is a useful way for our bodies to tell our brains when something is a threat to our overall well-being. Don’t touch the hot stove because it burns; don’t try and lift something too heavy because you could hurt your back. However, sometimes experiencing pain, such as chronic pain, stops being useful and is detrimental to daily living. The goal of a comprehensive, holistic pain management program is to promote consistent participation in activities, exercise, and education to enhance quality of life. A holistic pain management program merges traditional western medicine with eastern medicine. While western medicine tends to view the mind and body as separate entities, eastern medicine views the mind and body as one. There are many programs and approaches that help those with chronic conditions increase their engagement in meaningful activities and improve their overall well-being. ALTERNATIVES TO PAIN MANAGEMENT “When mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, happiness is the natural result.” — Deepak Chopra Chi is “that which gives life” and is a strong life force making a person totally alive, alert, and present. It can be used to help overcome illness and become more vibrant and enhance mental capacity. Finding your “inner chi” can help promote one’s quality of life, especially if they are struggling with constant pain. Finding Your Chi can: • Promote your highest quality of life • Use relaxation, visual imagery, and breathing strategies to address anxiety and depression • Improve strength and postural stability Do you suffer from chronic pain? If you are interested in learning more about Pathways to Chi and alternative approaches to pain reduction, reach out to the therapy team at Functional Pathways! “You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.”