Endorphins

One of the perks of being someone's chronic patient is that, if they're good, they develop a vested interest in your recovery. Any knowledge or technique or idea they come across that might help you is flagged, bringing dimension after dimension into the treatment plan. This constant influx of information has helped me achieve step after step in my recovery, and one of the most epic is the idea my acupuncturist brought back from a seminar two weeks ago - a supplement of amino acids that replenishes endorphins in the brain.

From what I understand, chronic pain wears away healthy endorphins - which support a happy mindset. Thus, when slipping into a chronic pain cycle, replacing these endorphins can lift someone's spirits and help break the pattern in the brain and nervous system. Essentially, this functions as an anti-depressant AND a way to break the chronic pain cycle.

Since beginning this supplement, I have noticed a radical change in my outlook on life. Not only am I happier and more motivated to get well, but I find myself functioning with less fear and pain despite the fact that I am out doing things and working harder than ever at PT. It is night and day from two weeks ago. I never imagined there could be such an extreme shift in my life.

For all interested parties: DL-Phenylalanine. Czech it out. I still have a long way to go, but things are looking up.

photo credit: http://www.truthbehindmysmile.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/happy-face-ball.jpg