Hi all,

Went for another appointment tonight. We talked about breathing alot. I have read, and the T confirmed that breathing can increase or decrease pain depending on how you do it. If you are tense and breathing shallow it can actually make the pain worse.

If you practice focused breathing for 20 minutes a day it can break down the molecules that are in the trigger points that cause the pain. It doesn't have to be a regimented breathing practice, just focusing on deep breathing.

He asked to watch me breathe to see how I do it - he said people are usually uncomfortable with people watching them but I like him and he is kind so I don't have a problem. So I did my deep breathing and he was very pleased. He said that I am doing the proper "belly" breathing. Basically when you breathe in through your nose, if you are doing belly breathing, it will flatten out your diaghram which makes your stomach push outward. He also said you can be sure you are doing the proper breathing if you put your hands on your sides above your hips, and if the end of the intake of breath makes your sides push your hands out, you know it is correct.

So then we discussed my road rage (realllllly bad). He gave me a good idea to help control it. He asked who I admired, religious, etc. I don't admire any particular person but I told him I admired people who overcome illness or disabilities. I just read an obituary about a local 35 year old man who died from lou gherigs disease. Six months after he had been diagnosed he did a tri-athalon. He started a whole organization to raise money - so I find that inspiring.

So he told me to imagine that the person pissing me off was this guy with lou gherigs disease and it was the last day he was ever going to be able to drive and he was enjoying his last ride - would I be mad at him? Of course not.

He also explained that the people making me angry are limited in their thinking. Whether it's because the aren't a good driver or they just drive inconsiderately, they are all limited in their thinking and that I couldn't be mad with someone who doesn't know any better.

We'll see - I'm going to practice. We talked about stress relieving methods that I currently do and he was impressed that I have alot of good skills that are spiritual and in touch with inner peace - it's just that i've gotten away from it all and I need to get back.

We don't have an apt. for 3 weeks due to his vacation and then mine. So I need to practice my road rage techniques, breathing, meditation, and begin to see if I can do my yoga tape.

Very positive visit and I feel good about it. AND it's all without medication which is my goal!

Tranquility