News & Blog

The concept of “mindfulness” has and aggravating chronic pain. The last thing you want recently become popular, yet it is often misunderstood, particularly when applied to individuals living with chronic pain. Mindfulness is the process of paying attention moment-to-moment with purpose but without judgment, trying to look at things from…

Ingredients: For the vinaigrette 3 each Louisiana dried shrimp, lightly toasted in a hot pan 3 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tablespoon shaved palm sugar 5 slices of Thai chili 1⁄2 cup tamarind water (1 tablespoon tamarind paste warmed with 2 cups of water and then strained) 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 limes,…

Those with fibromyalgia suffer from chronic muscle pain throughout the body, in addition to pain due to touch or pressure, and tender points in specific areas of the body. The disorder is also associated with fatigue, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches. More than 5 million people in the United…

When suffering from severe, chronic low back pain, it is understandable that many people would think that an extreme pain requires an extreme answer: back surgery. While surgery is often called for in cases of deformity or trauma, in cases of chronic pain, whether or not to pursue surgery can…

The creation of art, in the form of art therapy, is gaining legitimacy as a treatment for chronic pain. Art therapy is a type of mental health treatment in which clients are facilitated by an art therapist in using art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore…

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching and Christmas close behind, many Americans are starting to figure out and set their holiday travel plans. Whether it’s your turn to travel to the in-laws just a few hours drive away, or you are flying across the country to see the grandkids on the opposite…

November The 7th Annual New Orleans Fringe Festival is a weird, wacky, and avantgarde fall diversion! Happening November 19-23, Fringe Festival will be host to over 300 shows featuring over 70 theater groups in 30 venues, including a beautiful old church, a former funeral home, and a retired firehouse. nofringe.org If…

Coping with Stress and Chronic Pain during the Holiday Season By Dr. Mark Skellie, Psy.D. “Stress” is a term that is frequently used and sometimes overused by people, because we tend to live highly stressed lives. As defined by engineers, stress is pressure or tension from force applied to a…

Frittatas are a quick and healthy way to start the day. They’re also a great way to clear out (and enjoy) any lingering vegetables from the back of your fridge! Simply saute some veggies, pour in some beaten eggs, cook on the stove-top and then finish it off under the…

When pre-historic humans were in danger of attack, their muscles tensed and their breathing became rapid and shallow as they prepared to fight or flee. This high level of tension was and is helpful in preparing for optimal performance. Today, the causes of stress are different and quite varied. Modern…