Posts Tagged ‘injury’
Grieving Loss of Health?
Injury and illness are losses that need grieving.
There are at least 43 losses which can produce the range of emotions we call grief. The long list includes:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or end of a relationships
- Major financial changes
- Loss of health
Grief is normal and natural, but many of the ideas we have been taught about dealing with grief are not helpful, for example:
- Time heals all wounds
- You must grieve alone
- Be strong
- Don’t feel bad
- Replace the loss
- Just keep busy
We have known people who have waited 10, 20, 30, and 40 years and still didn’t feel better. We know that they would tell you that not only had time not healed them, but that it had compounded the pain. The other five myths carry equally unhelpful messages.
Recovery from loss is accomplished by discovering and completing all of the undelivered communications that accrue in relationships. Completion of pain caused by loss is what allows us to let go and move on. It is almost impossible to move on without first taking a series of actions that lead to completion. Before taking the actions to completion, it is important to look at and often dismiss some of the ideas or myths that we have tried to use with loss, but have not worked.
The Grief Recovery® program creates the safety and the correct action choices that help people move beyond the pain caused by loss. Together we can help you to take a look at old beliefs about loss; to look at what other losses have affected your life; and to take new actions which lead to completion of the pain attached to the recent loss, or the loss that occurred long ago.
For more information about The Grief Recovery® program, please contact me.
Sue Hasker – Injury Healing Coach
Certified Performing Edge Consultant
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
Posted in Articles, Coaching, Grief, Healing, Health, Psychological Effects, Uncategorized | 
Tags: anxiety, Coaching, depression, goals, grief, grief recovery, Healing, injury, psychology, recovery, stress, surgery | 
No Comments »
Asking for Help While Healing – Top 10 Tips
Asking for help is not always easy, especially when we are not used to doing it. When we are recovering it is sometimes even harder because we want to prove to others (and ourselves) that we can be independent, while secretly wishing others would “just know” what we need. While it is not reasonable to expect all our needs to be met just exactly when and how we want, it is possible to help others help us simply by letting them know what we need. So, what is the best way to communicate to others so that they will understand the things we cannot do for ourselves and be willing to help? The following is a list of ten tips for getting the best response.
1. Do not apologize for needing help.
As humans we are allowed to be sick, to be weak, to have accidents, to make mistakes, and to ask for help. We need each other and people usually want to help others. I will make your visitors and caregivers feel needed and appreciated when we ask directly for what we need in a way that sounds positive and not “whiney.”
2. Keep an on-going list.
As part of your healing journal, or on a notepad or computer, keep a list of anything you can think of that will make your recovery process easier. If we do not keep a list it is easy to forget something important when a visitor or caregiver asks if we need anything, only to remember it after they leave. The list can include anything from something you need at the store, to questions to ask your doctor. When something is written down, it often makes the request feel more practical and less “needy” in case we tend to lose our courage to be direct in asking for help.
3. Listen to offers of assistance.
Do not ignore when someone offers to help, even if it sounds vague or insincere. Take them up on it right away, saying, “Well yes, there is something I would appreciate help with.” When you have a list ready it is much easier to answer the offer to help with a direct request, such as bringing you something from the kitchen, or asking for a ride to an appointment. Do not hesitate to ask, but ask for something specific so they know what to do.
4. Be direct and honest.
Instead of asking someone a question like, “Can you do something for me?” which can feel a bit like being backed into a corner or being pressured into saying “yes” right away, ask for what you need directly. Try instead something like, “I need a prescription picked up at the pharmacy today, can you do that for me?” They can always say no. Most people would rather know what they are getting into before agreeing to help. Thank them in either case.
5. Expect and respect a “No” answer on occasion.
While people usually enjoy being able to help, it is not always convenient or possible. There may be another time that works out, but maybe not this time. Be gracious when you ask and are turned down, otherwise you might not have another chance with that person.
6. Be honest with yourself (and others).
This is not the time to “test” others to see if they are being sincere. Ask only if you really need or want something, not to find out if they meant what they said when they offered to help. On the other hand, when you are really in need do not wait for someone to offer, go ahead and ask directly. Again, they can always say no.
7. If you do not know exactly what you need, tell them what you feel.
Sometimes it takes a while to really figure out what we need and it may take talking it through to make the connections. It may be that what you need is someone to listen to you. Or it may be that you are frightened or anxious and cannot identify what you need, you just know you feel “something” and need help figuring it out. You do not have to understand everything or pretend to be brave and tough it out alone.
8. Be persistent.
Just because one person is unable or unwilling to help, do not give up. Ask someone else. Also, do not give up on someone simply because they said no one time, it may have been a bad day for them.
9. Be appreciative.
Express your sincere gratitude for any kindness shown to you. While it is not wise to demand or even expect anything, it is always best to show your appreciation, and will encourage people to want to help you again.
10. Be smart – know what help is available.
This is something that can be part of your healing journal. If your friends, family, or caregivers are unable to help you in some way, find out if there is a local service available. Keep a list of contact information for local service organizations, religious organizations, hospitals or crisis centers. If they cannot help directly, they may be able to refer you to another source.
Remember that people usually do enjoy helping other people and will do so if they know what you need. Most people are not very good at guessing, so keep a list and be prepared when the offers arise. The vague offers to help are usually sincere, but without a direct request they often go unheeded. Help your helpers to help you best.
Adapted from After Surgery, Illness, or Trauma : 10 Practical Steps to Renewed Energy and Health
Sue Hasker – Injury Healing Coach
www.HealYourBest.com
Posted in Articles, Healing, Health, Mental Training, Uncategorized | Tags: Healing, injury, recovery, stress, support, surgery | No Comments »
Orthopaedics and Alternative Therapies
The world of integrative and alternative medicine is more popular now that ever. But how do you wade through the vast amounts of information available online without becoming more confused, or falling for scams from unsafe practitioners and their advice? I have spent many years reading books, magazines, peer-reviewed journal articles, and following discussion groups moderated by highly trained naturopathic doctors and herbalists, and yet there are still many times when I am not certain how to choose between two or more conflicting opinions. Oftentimes we ask our physicians for advice on certain modalities or supplements we’ve read about and they may know from personal experience which ones are good and which aren’t. But other times, physicians have not studied these modalities in depth and prefer to stay within the boundaries of what they were taught as generally accepted practices in medical school. That does not mean that many of the alternative therapies are not good, or even bad, it just means that your doctor either may not know enough about it or does not want to recommend it to protect their practice from liability.
One medical professional source for physicians and patients provides an overview of several of the alternative therapies that people with orthopaedic injury might find useful is the “Your Orthopaedic Connection” section of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. There you can read more about the various types of alternative treatments and practitioners, such as:
Acupuncturist
Ayurvedic Practitioner
Chiropractor
Chinese Herbalist
Homeopaths
Massage Therapist
Naturopath
Take a look around other areas of the AAOS website where you may find information that is very helpful for your particular injury or surgery.
Sue Hasker – Certified Performing Edge Consultant
Injury & Surgery Healing Coach
Posted in Articles, Health, Uncategorized | Tags: alternative medicine, doctor visits, Healing, injury, support | No Comments »
EFT for Sports Performance & Injury Recovery
No matter what sport you play; golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, track and field, or any other athletic endeavor there’s one thing for certain:
You would love to reach your full potential in the shortest time frame possible.
What if I told you that sports performance can be enhanced in just minutes a day using a simple technique that has been tested by professional and amateur athletes worldwide, with amazing results.
The technique I’m referring to is called Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT.
For the first time anywhere Sports Performance Pioneer, Stacey Vornbrock is sharing the amazing protocols she’s developed to help hundreds of professional and amateur athletes play their best in every sport imaginable.
This is not some pie-in-the-sky, wishful thinking information.
The Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals will show you the exact steps to take to turn the blocks that are keeping you from playing your best into breakthroughs.
Learn more about this amazing information at
Here’s what the Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals can do for you:
- Fine tune your game and play better than you’ve ever dreamed possible.
All you have to do is follow the easy to use protocols in this manual.
- Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals will show you how to eliminate soreness after playing or working out.
Imagine feeling completely energized and refreshed rather than physically and mentally fatigued after working out or after playing.
- Recover from injuries in record time.
You’ll learn how to tap to rid your body of the trauma, emotions and the memory of protection that are locked at the cellular level after being injured.
- Give yourself the chance to perform your best every time you play.
You can depend on tapping for any sports challenge you face. Once you start using EFT you’ll feel clearer and more focused right away.
- Reduce or eliminate struggles and play from a place of joy and confidence with better physical and mental stamina.
You will be able to relax and have fun. You’ll play with increased focus and be able to concentrate on those tough moments that mean the difference between winning and losing.
The best part is all skill levels will benefit. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting ready for the Olympics or just getting ready to have fun this weekend playing your favorite sport with friends.
The Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals will help you play better and enjoy your sport more, guaranteed.
Learn more about this amazing information at
Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals come with complete written instructions on how to use the techniques effectively. Nothing is left out.
In just minutes a day you’ll clear out old blocks that are holding you back today and create breakthroughs that lead to consistent and enjoyable sports performance.
Your results are assured. All you have to do is tap!
EFT is quick to learn and easy to use, even while you’re playing.
You’ll never be at a loss for how to resolve a challenge once you put the ideas in the Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals into practice.
Enjoy your sport more and play better quicker. It couldn’t be any easier.
Go over to
Bye Bye Blocks
and see the wide range of helpful information that will take your game to the next level in your sport.
Breakthrough Performance Sports Manuals are your Playbook for Success!
P.S. This information will virtually change the way you view your sport every time you play. Enhance our performance now by using the same techniques that hundreds of professional and amateur athletes have used with remarkable success.
Go to
Bye Bye Blocks
and pick up your copy of the Breakthrough Performance Sport Manual for the sport you want to excel in, today.
Sue Hasker ~ Injury & Surgery Healing Coach
HealYourBest.com
Posted in Articles, Coaching, Mental Training, Products, Uncategorized | Tags: anxiety, Coaching, Healing, injury, Mental Training, motivation, psychology | No Comments »
Talking with Your Doctor
If you have been injured or seriously ill you will inevitably find yourself sitting in the doctor’s office with a lot of questions. What often happens is we feel rushed or nervous and forget to ask or forget WHAT to ask. Here is a list of reminders that will help during those times when it is important to know all the facts before making any decisions.
How to Talk to Your Doctor
How do you talk to your doctor? Does he or she do all the talking while you do all the listening? Are you afraid to ask questions? Do you leave the office feeling like you just sat through a foreign language class?
Your relationship with your doctor, including how well you talk with each other, affects your care. A good relationship — where you and your doctor share information and work together to make the best decisions about your health — will result in the best care. You’ll also feel more confident in your doctor and the quality of care you’re getting. Here are some ways to make talking to your doctor more effective.
Be Prepared
Doctors are busy people and their offices are often abuzz with activity, like ringing telephones and crowded waiting rooms. When you actually see your doctor, your visit probably won’t last more than 15 minutes. The best way to make the most of your limited time is to come to your appointment prepared:
- Write down all the questions you have for the doctor in advance and bring a pen and paper to jot down answers and take notes.
- Make and bring a list of symptoms if you’re not feeling well. You might want to research your condition at the library or on the Internet if you’re visiting your doctor for a specific problem or illness. Learning some related medical terms (see online course below) and common treatments will make it easier to follow what the doctor is telling you.
- Bring a list of all the medicines you take. Write down the doses and how often you take them. Include vitamins and other supplements.
- Arrive early enough to fill out forms.
- Have your insurance card ready and bring your medical records or have them sent in advance if you’re seeing the doctor for the first time. Also bring your health care advance directive, which outlines instructions about your care if you become unable to speak for yourself. Go over it with your doctor so that your wishes are clear.
Here are some questions to ask the doctor. You can add to the list as you come up with more questions:
Problem
- What is wrong with me? How do you know?
- What caused this problem?
Tests
- Must I have tests?
- What tests do I need and why?
- What do the tests involve?
- How do I prepare for the tests?
- When will I know the test results?
- Will my insurance cover the cost of the tests?
- Will I have to take the tests again?
Treatment
- What are my treatment choices?
- What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
- What are the side effects?
- How good is each treatment?
- Which treatment is most common for my condition?
- What do I do if treatment fails?
Medication
- What kind of medication(s) must I take? For how long?
- What does the drug do? Will there be any side effects?
- What should I do if I have side effects?
- Can I take a generic version of the drug?
- Will the medicine interact with any I am already taking?
- Should I avoid any kind of food or activity while taking this medicine?
Follow-Up
- Do I need to see a specialist?
- Should I get a second opinion?
- Do I need a follow-up visit?
Speak Up
Don’t be put off by big words or a doctor’s hurried manner. If you don’t understand what the doctor is telling you, ask him or her to explain it again. Using different words, or drawing or showing you a picture can help. Don’t leave the office without understanding everything the doctor told you.
If there are issues you want to discuss that the doctor doesn’t mention, raise them yourself. Doctors often are so focused on making sick people better — or so rushed — they forget to talk about important health matters like diet and weight, exercise, stress, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use, sexual practices, vaccines, and tests to find diseases. Find out what tests you might need for your age, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy, and ask your doctor about getting them. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to bring up sensitive topics.
Don’t Withhold Information
Speaking up also means telling your doctor everything you know about your body and health, including all your symptoms and problems. The more information you share, the better the doctor will be able to figure out what’s wrong and how to treat you. Don’t make the doctor guess. Be sure to mention any and all medicines, vitamins, and herbs you are taking, and anyone else you are seeing about your health, physical and mental.
Bring Someone With You
Sometimes, people like to bring a friend or family member to a doctor appointment for moral support. A companion also could help you relax, remind you of questions you forgot to ask, and help you remember what the doctor said. If you need personal time with the doctor, the person can sit in the waiting room. Having someone join you is especially helpful if you feel too ill to get around easily on your own.
Follow Up
If you feel nervous, rushed, or just plain overwhelmed, you might forget to ask a question, even if you wrote it down. If this happens, or if you think of a new question, call the office right away. Be patient but firm if you want to speak directly with the doctor, who might not be able to take your call at that moment. If the doctor wants you to come back for a follow up visit, be sure to set and keep the appointment.
Building a successful partnership with your doctor takes time and effort. It’s not uncommon to have a frustrating doctor visit now and then. But overall, your relationship with your doctor should be positive and comfortable. You should have confidence and trust in his or her medical ability and judgment.
Let your doctor know when there’s a problem. If you can’t resolve things together, you might need to entrust your care to someone else.
Source: AARP
www.HealYourBest.com
Posted in Articles, Uncategorized | Tags: Coaching, doctor visits, Healing, injury, support | No Comments »
Positive Coaching
Positive Coaching
- Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter http://www.DrJoAnn.comCoaches need to read their athletes correctly and understand them for who they are.
Unless you’re a competitive athlete, chances are you have not had a “coach” since high school PE class. But you have probably had a boss, a neighbor, or a parent who made a big impression on you. Was that impression positive or negative? What about their interaction with you made it positive or negative? Would you have wanted it to be different? What would you do differently if you were in that position?
Coaching in sports is a complicated relationship. While the coach expects the athlete to put their best efforts into whatever they are doing, they need to be careful not to put too much pressure on the athlete who is simply unable to reach certain goals. Conversely, it is important that the coach not overlook areas that can be improved. The risk is that the athlete will either give up for lack of confidence, or not try their best for lack of motivation. But it cannot be JUST about winning, it must also be about personal achievement.
The things that frustrate athletes about their coaches are often when frustrates the rest of us about our boss, our mate, our friends, or co-workers. Here are a few examples:
- An atmosphere of continuous negativity
- Not being listened to
- Receiving criticism that is not constructive
- Being singled out as the cause of a group’s failure
- Seeing other “star” performers getting all the attention
- Not being appreciated for hard work and extra effort
- Not being allowed to adequately rest
- Feeling constant pressure to perform
A life coach or personal coach is someone who will work with you to help you discover and achieve your goals. When looking for a life coach you will want to consider a few important points:
- A coach needs to be willing to let the client determine the outcome they want while the coach remains unattached to the outcome
- A coach should listen to the client carefully and take hold of key words and phrases that will help the client see themselves more clearly and make the changes they want
- The client is responsible for putting the required effort into their own life, while the coach is responsible for helping the client to discover their creativity and ability to make changes
- The coach is responsible for keeping the client accountable, but not for making the client feel guilty
- The coach is there to support the client, but not to “baby” them
- The coach should make requests that stretch the client to go beyond their limiting self-beliefs, but not make demands that create anxiety
- The coach should believe in the client and tell them so regularly, or the client should find a different coach
Sports can be a great learning tool for life by providing lessons in positive self-image, hard work, and goal setting. But even those of us who do not participate in competitive sports can benefit from good coaching. Virtually everyone wants to know that someone is on their side no matter what.
Sue Hasker
Sports Psychology – Not Just for Athletes Anymore
Sports Psychology Can be Used by “Regular People”
Part of my training as a certified coach has been to read and absorb a book called, Your Performing Edge: The Complete Mind-Body Guide for Excellence in Sports, Health and Life by Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter. My goal from the very first chapter was to take the concepts used by athletes and sports coaches, and translate them for use by the “rest of us.”
Below is an article by Dr. JoAnn along with my take on how to use the “3 P’s,” which are the core of the Performing Edge Method, for helping people to heal and recovery from injury, surgery, or both.
Sports Psychology and Peak Performance – How to Create Your Performing Edge with Mental Training
by Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter
Best-selling Author, Your Performing Edge
Free e-Course at: http://www.DrJoAnn.com/
POSITIVE IMAGES: Use your mental training and images throughout your workout to create feelings of speed and power. (e.g., If you’re walking or running and you come to an unexpected hill visualize a magnet pulling you effortlessly to the top). Use visualization before, during and after your training to build confidence and new motivation.
Suppose you are not training for a race, but rather, recovering from an injury that requires extensive physical therapy. Often just the thought of stretching, bending, or putting weight on the injured area can cause feelings of anxiety and fear of doing more damage. Before your next physical therapy session try visualizing yourself doing the exercises as if you are completely healed and pain-free. See yourself easily following the movements of the therapist during the hands-on portion of your treatment. Prepare a mental image of yourself doing the strengthening and stretching exercises correctly and safely. Use this visualization several times before your next appointment.
POWER WORDS: Make positive mental training self-statements continually. Negative thinking is common; everyone has an inner critic. Become aware of these thoughts early on. Don’t fight with them; simply acknowledge their presence, and then substitute positive power words. (e.g., When you’re thinking: “This hurts too much, I want to lie down and die”; say to yourself: “This feeling is connected with getting healthier and doing my absolute best”).
What do you say when you talk to yourself? Do you think something like, “I’ll never feel any better, I’ll always have this pain or this limitation, what’s the point in working so hard when it isn’t helping?” When your recovery has been slow in coming, or marred by setbacks, it is so easy to become discouraged, and that is quite a normal response. Just recognize those thoughts, but then intentionally remind yourself that they DO NOT have to be true. Substitute a negative thought with a positive one. Say, “Even thought this is difficult, I am working to become stronger and healthier every day.” Or, “This pain is not harming me, I need to feel it now, but soon I will be able to do this exercise with ease.” And remember to tell yourself, “I am doing my best to help my body heal and recovery completely.”
PRESENT FOCUS: Practice your mental training by being in the present moment. Remind yourself to stay in the here and now. Let past and future events fade into the background.
Your mind can only focus on one thing at a time, so when you are working on your recovery it is important to focus on what is happening right now. It’s easy to bring up the past and think, “I didn’t make much improvement last time so this time won’t be any better.” Or that nagging worry about the future, “I am afraid this will be as good as it gets.” When you are focusing on past and future, the present disappears. At your next physical therapy appointment or doctor’s visit, try to be fully present at THAT appointment, listen to what is being said, feel what you are feeling at that moment. Of course it is important to ask questions to relieve any anxiety you are having, but don’t automatically assume that “now” is the same as “then” and that “later” will be the same as “now.”
Sue Hasker, PECI Certified Healing & Recovery Coach
www.HealYourBest.com
Posted in Articles, Mental Training, Psychological Effects | Tags: Coaching, fear, Healing, injury, Mental Training, psychology | 1 Comment »
Using Mental Training to Recover from Injury
People from all walks of life may at some point in their lives experience an accidental injury. Trainers and coaches have been using some powerfully effective mental training tools to help athletes return to their sport, while the rest of us have probably only just heard of them. The mental training tips listed in following article can be used by anyone who is experiencing a season of healing and recovery. Just exchange any references to athletes and sports with activities related to physical therapy and rehabilitation. Welcome to the exciting world of sports psychology!
Top 10 Training Tips
Excerpt from the book, Your Performing Edge: The Complete Mind-Body Guide for Excellence in Sports, Health, and Life, by JoAnn Dahlkoetter (Pulgas Ridge Press, 2002)
Free e-course available at http://www.DrJoAnn.com
Mindfulness: Practice being in the present moment. Remind yourself to stay in the here and now. Let past and future events fade into the background.
Power Imagery: Visualization is not something you do only in the quiet of your bedroom. Use your mental images throughout the workout to create feelings of speed and power. (e.g., When you come to an unexpected hill visualize a magnet pulling you effortlessly to the top).
Positive Attitude: Use everything in the workout to your advantage. For example, if another athlete passes you, tuck in behind and go with his or her energy for as long as possible. You may catch a “second wind” and be carried on to a new personal record.
Short-term goals: Focus on your immediate target. Break your training down into small, manageable pieces and begin to focus only on the first portion, not the entire workout (e.g., Say to yourself: “I’m just relaxing and getting my rhythm during the first mile”).
Association: Pay close attention to your tension level and training form. Do a body scan while working out and relax your tight muscles frequently. Ask yourself: “Are my shoulders and neck relaxed; how does this pace feel; how much energy is left in my legs?”
Pain Management: If you have “good pain” that is not seriously damaging your body, just shift attention to your breathing or cadence of movement, and let the discomfort fade into the background. You can also use the pain as feedback. Register it not as pain but as effort level. Say: “Now I know exactly how hard I’m working. I know how this pace feels. My body is doing what it should be doing.”
Process not Outcome: Look only at what you need to do right now (e.g., pace, breathing, concentration); your final time, place, or score will take care of itself.
Focused Attention: Be aware of distractions. Breathe out unwanted thoughts with your next exhale and re-focus your attention instantly on what is important.
Affirmations: Make positive self-statements continually. Negative thinking is quite common; everyone has an inner critic. Become aware of these thoughts early on. Don’t fight with them; simply acknowledge their presence, and then substitute a positive affirmation. (e.g., When you’re thinking: “This hurts too much, I want to lie down and die”; say to yourself: “This feeling is connected with going faster and doing my absolute best”).
Enjoyment: Celebrate your fitness and strength. When the competition arrives, let your body do what you’ve trained it to do. Remember that your goals are realistic. All you need to do is perform up to your capabilities.
Posted in Articles, Coaching, Mental Training, Psychological Effects | Tags: Coaching, Healing, injury, Mental Training, psychology | No Comments »
How to Deal with Everyday Life Grief
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isabel_Kirk
Sue Hasker, PECI Certified Healing & Recovery Coach
www.HealYourBest.com
Sue@HealYourBest.com
Posted in Articles, Psychological Effects | Tags: anxiety, depression, fear, Healing, injury, psychology | Comments Closed
Five Steps for Managing Depression
Posted in Articles, Psychological Effects | Tags: Coaching, depression, Healing, injury, psychology | Comments Closed
Performing Edge Coaching
can help while you recover from injury or surgery.
JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D, best-selling author of YOUR PERFORMING EDGE and frequent ABC-TV Expert Commentator, works with numerous OLYMPIANS and top business executives.
Find Dr. JoAnn and PECI here.
