January 2016

Q. My wife planted a nameless Clematis last summer. It did really well going along a south facing fence but we don’t know what to do with it now. It’s a mass of brown leaves and tangled up tendrils. Should we cut it down really short and try to remove as many of those crunchy leaves and hope for the best next spring?

A. Clematis is pruned in March so right now I’d wait and do nothing. Clematis is pruned based on its blooming habit. There are varieties or types that bloom on the new growth, the old growth and some on both. So, being a nameless variety is a problem. I’m going to assume it was in bloom when you planted it. Summer flowering varieties bloom on the new growth in the spring. This group is the easiest to prune. I’d just cut the vegetation down to the ground and let the new growth generate from the base of the plant. With the spring blooming varieties they’re pruned after the flowers are spent because they’re blooming on last year’s old wood. The spent flowers are removed and you trim the growth back to twenty four inches. The balance of the growing season is spent generating new growth that will bloom the following year. If you prune too early, you effectively remove the flowering buds and have no flowers. Those varieties that bloom on both the new and old wood should be given a moderate trimming or shaping, so you don’t lose any promising buds for the summer flowering season. All dead wood should be removed regardless of variety and an annual feeding with a balanced fertilizer is recommended to encouraged the new growth. Once the rainy season has concluded you need to shade the roots from the hot afternoon sun by mulching. A three inch layer of organic matter will help retain moisture and insulate the roots. There is another issue that you need to keep in mind when pruning. A community fence is a poor structure for growing vines as it’s impossible to keep the vegetation confined to your side. So the annual pruning is a safe guard method of keeping the plant under control and avoiding a neighbor dispute.

Q. My Apricot and Plum trees suddenly stopped producing. The trees have been quite productive; however, they were a big disappointment last year. How do I correct things this year?

A. Apricots and Plums produce fruit on the second year wood. If the trees are pruned too severely, the fruiting spurs are removed. This probably is the number one reason why deciduous fruit trees fail to set fruit. There are other reasons but they really don’t apply to your trees. Generally, you should remove fifteen to twenty-five percent of the growth each year. The fruiting spurs are easy to detect. Those branches with buds clustered in a grouping of three or more are the fruiting buds. These stems are a darker color than the one-year old growth, that is a much lighter color and has a single bud. The good news is the trees productivity will return once the pruning technique changes.

Q. I have fifteen roses in raised containers that have sunk nearly a foot, so I need to add more soil. My thoughts are to prune the roses and then extract them from the boxes. I’m planning on keeping the bushes in water while adding fresh soil to the planters and then replanting them. Is this going to work?

A. This is a very workable solution. With fifteen roses to prune, move and then replant, you can take your time and spread it out over several weekends instead of completing it in one. It is not necessary to keep the roses in water for days on end. You could remove the bushes from the planters with soil on their roots or bare root them. The roses with a root ball intact can be grouped together, moistened and then loosely covered with a tarp, protected from the afternoon sun. The plants can even be stacked on top of one another. This would also work with another ornamental plants in containers. Another option is to bare root these plants by washing the soil off the roots. They are then laid vertically on a flat surface, which could be on dirt or even concrete. Next cover the roots with moistened potting soil and a tarp. Again they can be stacked in a pile. If the bushes are under an overhang, the tarp isn’t necessary. A second option would be to group the bare root roses into several empty containers and temporarily fill them with soil. Roses can be transplanted anytime though February. Also, It’s not necessary to replenish every bit of soil. Roses can be stored in this fashion for four to six weeks. These options give you the flexibility to proceed at a leisurely pace and deal with any weather delays.

The music of Hawaii is unique in many ways and has evolved through the centuries. The customs, culture and music of the Polynesian Islands and other foreign lands, all contributed to what we now know as Hawaiian music today.

Before the Europeans arrived in the islands, the Polynesians basically had only chants and dances, rather than the melodies and rhythms heard in more modern times. Much of the early ancient music was religious in nature. These ancient Hawaiian rituals were a means of preserving history, honoring deities and organizing genealogies. Chants were often accompanied by an Ipu (a gourd drum) or a Pahu, (a sharkskin drum). Later, many musical influences came from America and Europe.

The most influential group of people were the missionaries who came to the islands in the 18th Century from New England. They brought with them the music and instruments they played in their homeland.

These influences changed much of Hawaiian music from then until the present. Many Hawaiian songs have hymn-like melodies stemming from the early songs taught by the missionaries.

The music of Tahiti and Samoa also had a great influence on Hawaiian music. Both the Tahitian and Samoan styles of music use faster and more complicated rhythms.

The early 20th Century saw the emergence of “Hapa Haole” music (part Hawaiian, part white). These songs generally used the English language for the text and in 1906, the first recordings were made. By 1912, Hawaiian music became very popular on the mainland.

The years 1930 to 1960 were known as the Golden Age of Hawaiian Music. It wasn’t long before Hawaiian music eclipsed pineapples as a major export of the Hawaiian Islands. The music of the islands enjoyed phenomenal momentum on the mainland. Music and other Hawaiiana became a national rage. New York’s Tin Pan Alley produced music based on Hawaiian themes and sheet music sold by the thousands. Around the turn of the century, famed band leader and composer, Albert “Sonny” Cunha, a Hawaiian and Yale alumnus, adopted Moanalua Hula into Yale’s school song, Boola, Boola. Cunha hired Johnny Noble in his orchestra and Noble introduced a new jazz style to Hawaiian music. Hence, modern Hawaiian music came of age.

Other modern influences came from gospel, ragtime, pop, rock, soul, hop-hop and even reggae. These popular styles brought subtle nuances to the traditional island music.

If you visited Hawaii in the past you may remember the fabulous Kodak Hula Show. It began in 1937 and ran for quite a few decades. A great tourist attraction, it was a group of local musicians, singers and hula dancers who performed on Waikiki beach.

Hawaii Calls
One of the most remarkable and influential events that brought fame and depicted the romance of the islands, was the radio broadcast “Hawaii Calls.” Millions of listeners across the United States (including me) tuned in every Saturday night.

As a young boy I listened to Hawaii Calls and dreamed about the wonderful and enchanting land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. (Little did I know that many years later I would visit the islands and meet my “Dream Girl,” Jan, who later became my wife.)

Jerry Byrd, the legendary steel guitarist, said, “Hawaii Calls did more for Hawaiian music than anything ever could.” This program became the longest continuing radio program in America, reaching over 600 stations until it ended in the early 1970s. The band leader was Harry Owens, who was known as “Mr. Hawaii.” For over 30 years his band was known for its unique sound. It produced a sweetness of melody, new appealing rhythm and an enchanting, soft charm. One of the most famous pieces Owens wrote was Sweet Lailani, composed for his daughter, Leilani, right after she was born in 1934. It became his theme song and was an enormous hit, not only in Hawaii, but on the mainland as well.

Hawaiian Instruments
The Ukulele is, without a doubt, the instrument most identified with Hawaii. Ukulele, in Hawaiian roughly translates as “Jumping Flea,” perhaps because of the players fast moving fingers. The ukulele, a small four-string instrument that is strummed and plucked, appeared in the islands in the 1870s. It became a national fad and sold by the millions across the nation. The instrument has origins in Portugal and was introduced to the islands by Portuguese sailors.

The Hawaiian Steel Guitar was invented in Hawaii by Joseph Kekuku around 1889.
It is an instrument with metal strings and has a very distinctive sound that has a wavering or glissando effect. It is played using a steel bar held in the player’s hand and slid along the strings. The instrument is laid across the performers knees while playing.

‘Ohe Hano Ihu is the traditional Hawaiian nose flute that is made from bamboo. It is played by expelling air from the nose into the flute and has one to four fingering holes. In early times men used it as a courting instrument to romance a woman. It is often used to accompany chants, songs and hula dances.

Other popular Hawaiian instruments previously mentioned, are the Ipu or gourd drum and the Pahu ( Pa’u) or shark skin drum, made of breadfruit tree wood or from the wood of a hollowed-out coconut palm tree.

Another Hawaiian instrument is the Uli Uli, a feather gourd rattle used in pairs while dancing hula.The Pu’ili, bamboo sticks, are percussion instruments used to enhance the rhythm of the Hula performance.

Hawaiian Musicians
Liliuokalani, 1838-1917, the last reigning queen of Hawaii, was a noted musician and composer of Hawaiian music. She published many songs but Aloha Oe’ was her most famous. Henry Berger, 1844-1929, was a Prussian band leader who came to Hawaii and brought his native German music that had a great influence on local island music. He established the “King’s Own Band” that later became “The Royal Hawaiian Band” at the turn of the century. Berger wrote and arranged many songs that became popular in the islands and are still played today by the band.

Don Ho, 1930-2007, was a very popular entertainer of locals and tourists. His songs were basically from traditional music but with a modern style and form. He used the “easy listening” format and became an international aficionado of the music and culture of Hawaii.

The Brothers Cazimero, Robert and Roland, are accomplished, talented musicians on acoustic guitar, string bass and piano. They sing and perform chants, early and modern Hawaiian songs. They entertain the audience with Hawaiian history and many humorous stories.

In the 1970’s, Hawaiian music began its revival after it had declined for many years. The Cazimeros have contributed enormously to the perpetuation of traditional island music. They created their own sound, mixing the old with the new. Hawaiian music would not be the same without their influence.

Music in Hawaii is an essential part of island living. The Hawaiian people, from young to old, are very talented and very musically inclined. Hawaii, indeed, is an enchanting place. To walk the beaches of Waikiki at night with the lights dancing on the waters, the gentle trade winds blowing the wonderful scents of the Plumeria and other tropical flowers, you’ll know this is Paradise. The beautiful music of the islands will stay with you as you return home. If you have been there, even for a short visit, you will undoubtedly be humming the lovely tunes you’ve heard and remember these pleasant memories for the rest of your life.
Aloha Oe’

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

We did it. We made it through December. And none the worse for wear, I might add. Well, unless you count those extra pounds that seem to settle around one’s mid-section. Ahem.

January is the month when so many of us resolve to rid ourselves of that excess weight and improve our eating habits. After the over-indulgences of December, I find it remarkable that I easily survive most days without dipping into something rich and cheesy, sipping something alcoholic, or adding a snow-storm of powdered sugar to some already-sweet concoction. Candy canes are history, and I’m ready to roll.

The solution is easy—we all know it already—but it need not be an unpleasant journey. By nature I’m not a cottage cheese kinda gal, and rarely find it satisfying. Especially now, when cold days cry for comfort food.

Shopping at the farmers’ market is the easiest way to stay on course. Prepared foods there are few and far between, and fresh, locally-grown produce provides the only temptation. The fact of the matter is that real food tastes good.

This month, look for farm-fresh leafy greens for the best salads ever; all manner of winter squash and root vegetables; and uber-healthy, cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. And to satisfy your sweet tooth, there is still a wide variety of citrus fruits, crunchy apples, and Asian pears available.With this sort of lineup, it’s hard not to eat healthy. And—dare I say?—you may even enjoy yourself.

Regardless of the question, soup is usually the right answer. It perfumes the house, warms the kitchen, fills the tummy, and soothes the soul. And the best news is that it doesn’t need to be laden with fat, carbs, or calories in order to be delicious. Soup recipes are very forgiving, and can be easily tweaked to fit your personal dietary preferences.

The one below relies on the convenience of canned beans, though you can certainly substitute your own home-cooked beans. It is high in fiber, low in fat, packed with flavor, and yields a nice large batch. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for several days, or the soup can be frozen for longer storage. This is the sort of “fast food” we need to embrace in 2016.

Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Cumin

2 tablespoons California olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, purchased or homemade
4 (15- to 16-ounce) or 2 (29-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 large handfuls of baby spinach leaves, cut into thin strips or chopped
Fine sea salt
1/2 cup low-fat or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
3 limes, cut into wedges

1. In a soup pot or 6-quart-or-largerheavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, celery, and jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 9 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer.

2. Stir in the broth, beans, sweet potatoes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top.

3. Using a slotted spoon, remove about 3 cups of the bean and potato mixture from the pot and set aside. Use an immersion (stick) blender to puree the remaining soup.(Alternatively, let soup cool for 5-10 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return the puree to the pot.) Stir in thereserved solids and the spinach and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, until the spinach is bright green and the soup is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Taste, adding more salt or other seasonings as needed.

4. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and garnish with a dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle cilantro over the top of each serving, if desired. At the table, pass lime wedges for each person to squeeze into their soup. Makes about 14 cups, to serve 8.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at s1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.com. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well!

I try my best to stay up on the latest medical advancements. One of the newsletters that I used to subscribe to is the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. In the last issue was a special report entitled, “Arthritis: Reducing pain, overcoming obstacles and leading an active life.” Not only was I appalled by no mention of the incredible, ground breaking, research in Germany and Amsterdam, but also by no mention of the effects of diet on arthritis. Dr. Colon Dong discovered this relationship between diet and arthritis over fifty years ago.

Many years ago I suffered from osteoarthritis myself and underwent standard western medicine treatment of drugs and surgery. A therapist that worked for me suffered rheumatoid arthritis and was being treated with diet only by Dr. Dong. On his diet she went from severe pain to being a ski instructor. This led me further into alternative medicine and now I am completely free of all arthritis.

What annoys me is how so many doctors are so committed to the pharmaceutical industry that they refuse to study anything alternative. Included in the Mayo article was a little box on the side putting down alternative medicine. A full page was devoted to the many drugs they use.

One of the researchers in the ground breaking work I mentioned is Dr. Paul-Peter Tak. Dr. Tak is a professor of rheumatology at the University of Amsterdam. While working with suppression of the immune system for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, it was discovered that stimulating the vagus nerve stopped the production of TNF, a.k.a. tumor necrosis factor, a very poisonous product of the innate immune system. By implanting a pacemaker in the chest with wires to the neck where the vagus nerve descends from the brain, the patients could regulate the variability of this nerve. Patients with rheumatoid that was so severe they were bedridden, were back to normal activities.

Two psychologists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Barbara Fredrickson and Bethany Kok, were studying vagus nerve variability and were able to link it to attitude. A group of 70 volunteers were tested, of which 35 were taught meditation technique to promote feelings of goodwill toward themselves and others. Those who meditated showed significant rise in vagal tone. These results have the potential to make very significant changes in medicine.

According to Dr. Paul-Peter Tak, “It is becoming increasingly clear that we can’t see organ systems in isolation like we did in the past…it’s very clear that the human is one entity: mind and body are one. It sounds logical, but it’s not how we looked at it before. Now we have new data and new insights.”

In my TMJ practice, for years I have been treating the causes and the patient, not just the symptoms. It takes more of my time to approach TMD treatment this way. It requires more listening to the patient, with extensive Q & A; more study in other fields; as well as more patient cooperation, but the results are so much more rewarding.

If you are suffering with neck pain from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. At Align Healing Center we specialize in treating pain naturally. It is our mission to help relieve pain without the use of drugs, invasive procedures and without inducing more pain! If you or someone you care about suffers from pinched nerves or disc related pain, it is worthwhile to explore the natural therapies that are available today.

What is cervical disc herniation?
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by round, flat discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. If they become damaged, they may bulge abnormally or break open (rupture), in what is called a herniated or slipped disc. Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine, but they are most common in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) spine.

A herniated disc usually is caused by wear and tear of the disc. As we age, our discs lose some of the fluid that helps them maintain flexibility. A herniated disc also may result from injuries to the spine, which may cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The jellylike material (nucleus) inside the disc may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the capsule, which causes the disc to bulge, break open (rupture), or break into fragments.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck?
Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands. In some cases a very large herniated disc in the neck may cause weakness or unusual tingling affecting other parts of the body, including the legs.

Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions. The arm pain from a cervical herniated disc results because the herniated disc material “pinches” or presses on a nerve in the neck, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm. Along with the arm pain, numbness and tingling can be present down the arm and into the fingertips. Muscle weakness may also be present due to a cervical herniated disc.

How can I heal my pain without drugs or surgery?

1. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state of the art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or low back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging or degenerated discs. This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, injections, and/or were told they would need surgery.

This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both cervical and lumbar disc injuries.

2. Class IV Laser Therapy
Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal.This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment,laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

There is hope!
We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offers outstanding results in healing stubborn neck pain due to a pinched nerve, bulging discs or spinal degeneration.
This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure for neck or back pain. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic low-back pain treatments, such as drugs, injections or surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine you can be back to your healthy self quickly!

For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC or to set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

With the New Year comes new technologies and with new and with them you can reduce aging even further. Aging is optional with new in-home systems that provide immediate, long-term skin rejuvenating results. These clinically tested and dermatologist recommended anti-aging tools, can be used on crow’s feet, under eyes, cheeks, around mouth and virtually any other problem area. They improve the skin’s texture, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, brighten skin color, and reduce pore size. In as little as five minutes a day you can repair damaged skin, brown spots, large pores and reduce fine lines. Use with Ongrien’s Ultimate Cellular Repair Serum with Neuro-Peptides for optimum results.

Hair Removal Device
Now you can enjoy professional quality hair removal results right in your own home. The new hair removal devices use advanced light pulse technology to remove hair permanently. Gentle light energy penetrates the skin and disables hair growth at the root, for results you can see within a handful of treatments.

With one of these devices, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to other hair removal products and treatments. Imagine never having to buy another razor refill or have another painful laser treatment. With this new technology you can remove unwanted hair on your body and face with results that will last a lifetime. It’s easy and painless.

Hair Removal Cream
Ongrien Technologies also provides a non-invasive Hair Growth Inhibitor Cream to put on unwanted hair. It is a lightweight cream with special hair growth inhibitors to slow the growth of unwanted hair on chin, sides of face, and above upper lip. Over time hairs will become smaller and finer until there is no more hair. Use it twice a day for best results.

Acne Blue Light Technology
The Blue Light Technology is a revolutionary new way to treat acne. Using clinically tested and dermatologist recommended dual energy technology, Bleu Light destroys acne-causing bacteria while simultaneously dehydrating oil-producing glands. It prevents future breakouts, starts neutralizing bacteria immediately with no harsh chemicals. The technology is completely non-invasive and gentle. By simply applying the device to problem areas for three to four minutes each night, the blue light penetrates deeply within the skin, destroying acne-causing bacteria. With the help of Ongrien’s Acne Clear Skin Treatments you will see remarkable results within 30 days.

All of these new home devices and technologies are at The Rouge Cosmetics. Please call the skin professionals at The Rouge Cosmetics for an in-home skin care device consultation. Ask for a consultation in Anti-Aging, Hair Removal or Acne.

As a child, the New Year was a time of excitement, anticipation and adventure. I eagerly awaited what would “happen.” As an adult, the New Year is a time of renewal and promise of improvement. As opposed to waiting for something to happen, each year I try to have a goal to MAKE something happen. The good thing is that we really do have more control over our lives and our futures than we give ourselves credit for.

Our lives may not look exactly like the way we pictured they’d be when we were children, BUT we have time and opportunity to shape it into something more compatible with our dreams. Usually the only obstacle is fear of failure or ridicule, or of not being like everyone else. Fear is a truly poor excuse for not having a better, happier and more satisfying life.

I like the Mark Twain quote, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Whether you DO or DON’T DO something, there is still a decision involved to DO one or the other. I believe that all of us know what the right thing is—what we ought to do for ourselves. Confusion can occur when we second guess ourselves or place more value on another person’s decision or opinion.

There are many reasons for why some people develop chronic pain and others don’t. More studies are documenting the non-physiologic contributors such as depression and anxiety disorders as well as well known and documented causes such as obesity and smoking. Currently, addiction and overdose-related deaths are at epidemic levels related to the treatment of chronic pain with opioids and benzodiazepines.

As a result, pain physicians and patients are searching for alternative ways to achieve pain control. The most successful strategies to treat chronic pain are the ones you can do on your own.

1. Stop Smoking: There is a positive correlation between tobacco use and low back pain. This includes cigars, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes. Nicotine slows down blood flow and oxygen delivery to all of the organs, muscles, nerves and bones. This increases the risk of injury, delays healing and perpetuates the inflammatory cycle; all of which cause chronic pain.

2. Lose Weight: Obesity (BMI>30) and Overweight (BMI>25) increase the risk of osteoarthritis and joint pain by up to 5X. The force on your knees when you walk is 1.5X your body weight and if you walk up stairs, the force is two to three times. If you bend over to pick something up or tie your shoes, the force is 4-5X your body weight. Every pound of weight loss results in 4 pounds of reduction in knee joint pressure. Eleven pounds of weight loss reduces the risk of osteoarthritis by 50%. These numbers may be extrapolated to show the effect of obesity on any weight bearing joint of the body including the spine and hips and ankles. Most of us need help developing a plan to lose weight. The best solution I’ve seen is LeanMD. It was developed by physicians and helps you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight with a program that can fit your lifestyle.

3. Socialize: Being around friends and loved ones increases your sense of well being and the release of oxytocin and endorphins. These are our natural “pain killers.” Unfortunately, people in pain tend to isolate themselves because they don’t want to be “a bother” to others. Invite your friends and family who may be suffering from chronic pain to engage in activities that they can such as playing cards and games, listening to music, or having a lively conversation over coffee.

This year, make the decision to be proactive when it comes to your health. Look forward to making progress in a positive direction—and if pain is an obstacle for you, please feel free to contact me so that I can help you move forward toward your goal in the New Year.