Costa Women Blogs

In my first post about chronic pain I explained the difference between chronic pain and acute pain and how pain functions in the body. In my second post I talked about central sensitization and how this complicates treatment for patients with chronic pain – making them, quite literally, feel more pain, more easily with less stimulation. So now I want to put this in a real life context. Knee Surgery – a pain in the knee Recent evidence suggests that as many as 20% of patients who have a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) continue to suffer chronic pain after surgery. The follow up looked into who this 20% might be – are there any common themes? Women Patients with untreated depression Higher pain intensities before surgery We know women have a higher incidence of chronic pain. We also now know that pain messages in women are conveyed using a different biological system to men. So it makes sense that women don’t respond as well to the pharmaceutical options, the pain persists and then they get caught in the central sensitization / chronic pain loop. There have been a number of studies linking depression to pain. It’s still a bit chicken and egg – does depression make people more sensitive to pain or does the pain lead to depression? But many NHS pain management clinics in the UK use anti-depressants as part of their pain treatment plan. And then we get to the last one – higher pain intensities before surgery. As I have spoken about in Part 1 and Part 2, patients with chronic pain and central sensitization feel more pain more easily. So even though the original cause of pain is resolved (new knee), their system is still overloaded, the lion is still in the room. Let’s walk through this: Patient has knee pain Patient goes to Doctor and gets pain medication (underlying issue not treated) Pain persists and gets worse (because the underlying problem was never treated) Pain becomes Chronic Pain with central sensitization Doctor refers to a surgeon for a knee replacement Knee replaced Central sensitization ignored so pain persists. So I’ve got knee pain . . . . Get treatment early before the pain becomes Chronic. And treat the actual problem, don’t just mask it with painkillers. If you have already had a Knee Replacement or other Knee Surgery and are still in pain, get help. You’re not crazy, you’re not making it up. Your entire nervous system needs to be supported and your body needs help to understand that your knee doesn’t need protecting anymore (that’s what pain is, a protection signal).

In my first article about chronic pain I started to explain a little about why chronic pain is different and needs to be treated differently. I talked about the science behind it and how pain works. Now let’s start to put that into context of how chronic pain affects you and how it makes you feel. One of the terms we often use when talking about chronic pain is “central sensitization“. This means that your entirenervous system becomes super sensitive to the tiniest possible pain signal – you quite literally feel more pain. And it is this key process which is the difference between chronic pain and “normal” pain. So what is central sensitization? Two Lions Walk into a Bar… Imagine you are watching television minding your own business when a big African lion walks into the room. What happens to your body systems? Adrenaline pumps through the bloodstream, increasing heart rate, breathing, alertness, etc. Big strong muscles turn on; smaller muscles turn off. Voice becomes louder and your speech becomes short and sharp. Shallow and fast breathing. Digestion slows. Memory fogs. Reproductive systems stop (unless you dig lions?!) Many other things. When the lion leaves the room, the body returns to its previous resting state. A chronic pain state with central sensitization is like having this lion following you at all times.  This state, which can be perpetuated by many factors, can keep the above changes to your system going relentlessly. So what do I do? One of the key goals of treating a chronic pain patient is not only to find the original source of the pain and help resolve that, but also to tame that lion. So how do these points translate to treating my patients? I believe them. When someone says “doing this hurts” I believe that it hurts them. Pain is personal. And each of my patients has their own personal pain level. I examine the whole body – if pain messages are long term they get confused, so where the patient feels pain might not be the cause. I support and treat the nervous system where these long term pain message get “stuck”. I talk to my patients and support them – often if you understand what is happening and it’s significance it can help enormously and make that lion a lot less scary.

What is Chronic Pain? The dictionary definition of chronic pain is “any pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks.” For many of my patients, by the time they come to see me, they have seen numerous therapists, tried many medications and even had surgeries, all with varying degrees of success. And those weeks have become months or years. Is Chronic Pain different? Yes. The difference lies in how we understand pain – There is a problem in a muscle, joint, bone, ligament, organ . . . . some form of tissue in the body. This sends a message through the nerves that there is pain We feel pain Except that actually pain is a LOT more complicated than that. An amazing guy called Lorimer Moseley, a physiotherapist who went on to train as a neuroscientist and now does pain research in Australia has done a huge amount of research and explains it far better than I can, so if you want to understand the mechanics better I suggest watching one (or ten!) of his video lectures. This is one of his shorter ones and one of my personal favourites. Now the important part for chronic pain sufferers is this: Once a pain “pathway” or route is created in the brain it becomes easier to use.  The Road Often Traveled Think of a neural pathway that would lead to a pain experience as a dirt road. If  you get a lot of traffic along that pathway, eventually the pathway is going to have to get bigger to accommodate it. So the pathway is widened.  Maybe the next step is the pathway gets paved, then the pathway becomes a dual carriageway and so on. The more that pain pathway runs, the better it does it.  The pain experience happens faster and faster and easier and easier as the traffic increases.  So what does this mean for me and my chronic pain? It means that patients with chronic pain do, genuinely, feel more pain from less stimulation. And this means certain treatments aren’t applicable. Patients with chronic pain are more sensitive. It means a proper, physical assessment is hugely important – when you have chronic pain these pain signals get confused and cover a wider area – so you get more pain, more easily, over a wider area. It means we need to help teach your body to stop protecting something that doesn’t need protecting anymore (that’s what pain is – a protection signal!). Read Chronic Pain – Part 2 Chronic Pain – Part 3

I am really pleased to be the new host for the Costa Women group West of Marbella. My work as a Holistic life coach and intuitive gives me the life/ work balance that I need. As so many of us working from home, the interaction with other like minded people is an enjoyable part of my life and the group helps me achieve that. I moved to Spain nearly two years ago. I came across the group a couple of months prior to relocating. I struck up an online friendship with a Belgian woman who was moving from France around the same time.When we eventually met,I realised that I was so fortunate to have found someone with whom I really connected and have ‘a partner in crime ‘to explore the area . It made my integration so much easier. No matter what we were doing in the week , we made time to go and sit on the beach for a couple of hours on Sunday mornings and exchange ideas,contacts and useful phone numbers of work men, furniture suppliers and so much more.( We were both renovating our houses) My friend has the advantage of speaking fluent Spanish, and I nick named her my ‘friend with benefits'(!) Looking back we had our own mini CW group. No matter what the reason is for relocating, once you arrive it can be daunting. It doesn’t matter if you are young, middle aged,in your prime, single or with a partner/ family. Suddenly you realise that it’s not as easy to go and see your best friends, and you have to start from scratch. CW is full of like minded women, from all backgrounds that like you, have made the leap of faith to up sticks and move. What is so incredible is that with this common denominator comes an openness to help each other and great friendships can be formed. The meetings always flow easily and it’s like we have known each other for years. So here I am , lucky enough to have become a new host. It’s the beginning of a new chapter …. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of you at our meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month ( except August) at Neli G’s just off the A7 in Estepona. Alison less

  I feel a deep urge to explore my new Environment and discover how far away we now live from the Mediterranean Sea. We are experiencing some cooler weather at the moment so I dress up in my warm jogging clothes and set off walking down the mountain along the east side of Torrequebrada Golf Club.     The sky is vivid blue with cool fluffy clouds floating here and there, trees, plants and flowers show me new beginnings of life… Spring is early on the Costa del Sol… I sense vivid colours of beauty, the joyful movement and songs of birds and insects that are busy enjoying their day.     The sun is strong and I sense the rainbow rays shining on ALL life, thankful for the suns presence; for the chance to be part of this great experience of life. Just like everything, IAM a tiny part of the vastness of life that I sense repeat in colourful shapes and patterns in perfect proportion AND the invisible magical thread of source that weaves invisibly throughout all life… the infinite life of the macro and the micro. Source… Love… Consciousness, the reason for our ever expanding experience of potential on Earth.     Small wild flowers fill the hedgerows, they are determined to grow, to stretch through all sorts of obstacles… as the Spanish seem to love leaving lumps of concrete, bricks and plastic as signs of their mostly ‘unfinished’ building presence.     Consciousness has no judgement of the Spanish ways… and continues to expand its abundance of beauty.     30 mins later I arrive at the sea-shore and begin walking along south-west. It’s rough as I hear the waves crashing on the shore. Ah… a chance to be part of the natural cleansing… and imagine the waves flowing through my body as I walk along the beach… AND together with my conscious deep breath I intentional move any stuck energy, tensions, thoughts, emotions… that have outlived their purpose and are ready to be released and transformed.     We used to live near this stretch of sea-shore and loved walking here each morning. So you can imagine IAM over the moon to discover our new home is a walkable distance to continue to walk here regularly… maybe stopping at our favourite cafe for a cup of mint tea, another time.     There is something about this stretch of coast line… despite its deep and noisy character that feels deeply calming and peaceful… it seems to embrace me… making me feel a part of the one eb and flow dance of all life and reminds me that everything I experience has a purpose to help me remember the truth of my magnificent existence.     I just love being part of this magical dance… watching the rainbow colours dance on the sea, under the sunlight… Even though I see rain is coming, I know this is my time now to embrace life, to feel grateful and release any doubts and judgements I might have about anything and everything. I know everything is perfect.     I feel a great surge of joy flowing through my body and know I have to stop and make a short video of my experience. (I’ll edit and post another day as part of a meditation).     I’ve walked as far along the coast as I can, now its time to walk up the stairs, along the road and up the hill back home.     Half way up the stairs, a good free cardio work out, there is a secret doorway covered with a beautiful array of colourful bougainvillea. I imagine children coming in and out of here, escaping for a while to play by the sea-shore.     The beauty of these flowers are all opening up now, sharing their aroma that is just so delightful… I hope you enjoy their beauty and can smell them too. My gift to YOU.                 These are the apartments/beach we used to live, just opposite the south point of Torrequebrada Golf.     AND time for the uphill climb along the west side of the Torrequebrada Golf Club, by the flathotel.     Spring flowers in the trees.     IAM not sure if this is an old railway line, road or viaduct crossing one of the many dry river valleys in Benalmadena. Its strong and huge and makes me feel quite small.     The depth of a Dry River Valley that splits Benalmadena up into many strips of high mountainous ground.     Heart shaped flowers.     Looking up the Mountain to see the AP7 Motorway that runs all along the Coast of Spain, Benalmadena Pueblo on the left and part of our Apartment Complex on the right.     A little nearer home.     Looking back down the deep dry river valley to the sea.   What an enjoyable walk I’ve had, 1 ½ hours in total of enjoying nature at its best. As soon as I walked into our home, it started raining. Perfect timing as usual. Thankyou Magnificent World for all the insights and help with embracing and releasing energies. My Body Consciousness, Body, Mind & Spirit is feeling great and well on its way preparing for Wednesday’s special full moon that is helping All Humankind move into a great new adventure. Hang on everyone, you haven’t seen or felt anything yet. Remember to observe what comes up and not get into anything you might not like. Breathe and enjoy this powerful ride of release.   Call to ActionDo you want to be my Guest Blogger/Author this year and write about this years theme… going deep this year with Consciousness vs Artificial Intelligence. Read more info here and let me know if you’re interested.       Barbara Franken… Creative Visionary & MasterCreatorInspiring New Energy Consciousness   All the money raised from my books and classes go to my non-profit business that inspires others through creative expression to explore, discover and express ‘The Magnificent Consciousness’ each person truly is and their unique space in the heart of life. At the moment in Benalmadena I hold 2 free projects… A Creative Art Project with Children and a Relax & Talk Group for people struggling with Mental Health & Chronic Pain. More Info: Our Magnificent Consciousness       A paperback and Digital Book is available from all Major online stores…Amazon and Apple   I share my own magical journey, exploring Who I AM with the help of nine Elemental Beings and expand from a world of fear, struggle and limitation into a New Energy Consciousness of love, grace and freedom. It is in this loving space that I discover my Divine and ALL LOVING self and allow myself to integrate together as one Body Consciousness… a DivineHumanBeing… and Magnificent Master Creator who expresses and creates heart and soul passion on the physical plane and beyond.           Join my MasterCreator Class and emerge yourself in the celebration of life through dance, song, art, relaxed inner journeys and beyond everything known… preparing yourself for your NEW role on New Earth.   There is no time like the present moment to Sign Up and give YOURSELF this magnificent gift… More Info: MasterCreator Class

  I first starting writing about my experience with the New Energies coming in, in 2012. Below is a post I wrote in July 2013 as I felt into the new energies and there affects in the world around me. Today 5 years later, more and more people are claiming their own power and magnificence and are no longer tolerating many old ways and patterns of dominance, control and fear. Yes… Humanity, one heart at a time is making their stand… #nomore.   For many years, many lightworkers all over the world have been helping Mother Earth anchor her new higher crystalline vibration, so she can assist Humankind raise their own frequency now. She supports the ones who consciously choose to align in love and joy, the ones who intuit where they need to be and what they need to do to create and experience Heaven on Earth.   We can feel Mother Earth as she helps shift (literally) old programmes and beliefs in fear and lack, by shaking everything loose for transformation. Our weather patterns are no longer predictable as we experience extremities of everything, everywhere. Our governments all over the world can no longer maintain balance and power. But again… its going to be OK… there is nothing to fear, we only have to welcome this time of seemingly chaotic times and trust this process of destruction that ultimately allows each heart to birth something NEW… something magnificent and grand from within.   It is time to make a choice and move in a new direction… or not.   Sleepless nights, feeling exhausted, surrounded by agitated people… What on earth is happening?  Is the world and everyone going crazy?   The whole world certainly appears to be going through a chaotic time… old ways and old systems are failing, dictators are falling, jobs and relationships are changing, countries are uniting, old beliefs and thought patterns are being reconsidered.   Things are certainly stirring up inside us, we find our self looking at our lifes and insecurities and it feels like a good time for change, to be conscious of what we want in our life… what makes us smile with delight, dance for joy and sing out loud… and release everything that no longer serves us.   The Earth and Human being is moving on… we have created a new expanding consciousness that resonates with passion, peace, harmony, responsibility, creative impulse and new potentials… A new energy is coming in… in support of our new consciousness…  to bring us our hearts desires.   Are you awakening and creating space for new things and a new way of living?   Everyone that is not anchored into the peaceful space inside them, living passionately and creating their grandest heartfelt desire will indeed get caught up in the chaos and drama of not being good enough, not having enough, not being important and fear of losing it completely!   This chaotic time is a wakeup call for all who are listening!  Welcome it, knowing that you don’t have to be affected by it… know that it is part of the restructure of our world…  Choose to put yourself first, choose to clean up your act, choose to say goodbye to everything that no longer serves you and be a part of the new vision of a passionate, creative, peaceful and harmonious world…   Are you listening?  What are you choosing?    The words are still applicable today… and the questions I continue to ask people is Are you awakening and creating space for new things and a new way of living?  Are you listening?  and What are you choosing?   I wrote and published my own true Awakening story Your Magnificent Self… A Journey to Freedom, firstly to remind myself of my amazing and most magical experiences… secondly to share information about the new energies coming in and naturally Awakening everyone (in their own Divine timing), but most importantly to inspire other hearts to resonate with the new energies, for them to open up and receive new potential to serve them in a new and magical way.   To help the ones who realise their Awakening and are ready to celebrate a new way of being the sovereign Master and Creator they truly are… I created a MasterCreator Class… a 35 day dedication to YOU to help you fully understand the new energies and allow yourself to quantum leap beyond everything ever known and experience a most sensual and awesome life as Your Magnificent Self.   Please go to My Store for more information.   Experiencing my Integration For the last 5 years I’ve continued to experience my physical integration of my Body, Mind & Spirit… not always nice, in fact it has torn me to pieces in so many ways. Yet, because of this I understand so clearly now… why I experienced such physical discomforts. It was the only way I could realise the untruths I still believed about myself and life. Only when there is no fear, no stress, no concern, no doubt about what is going on out there in the world AND I only allow and trust my Divine self to take her responsibility and lead me on my adventure beyond… do all my symptoms stay away and I can fully focus on celebrating life in each moment.   Everyone is naturally Awakening; to realise Who They Truly Are… and it takes as long as it takes each person to realise there is no need to fear, judge, doubt, stress and instead only trust the part of them that is Divine, Multi-dimensional and All Knowing that waits to take them beyond the mind and physical dimension.   If you find yourself struggling with Mental and Physical Pain or discomfort… it is time to ask yourself… What untruths do I still believe and allow yourself to understand the answer somehow. Be determined to receive a clear answer.   Remember the saying, All or Nothing? It’s time to choose to either fully realise your multi-dimensional self and intend to live in full DivineHuman awareness each moment, or remain stuck in limited, fearful Human awareness. It’s your choice, no one can choose for you. All or Nothing. What do you choose?   For the local hearts and souls who are feeling out of balance during their Awakening/Integration, we have a free local monthly ‘Relax & Talk’ Group for you to join in Benalmadena. Every 3rd Saturday afternoon 6-8pm. Contact Barbara Franken.     Barbara Franken… Creative Visionary & MasterCreatorInspiring New Energy Consciousness     All the money raised from my books and classes go to my non-profit business that inspires others through creative expression to explore, discover and express ‘The Magnificent Consciousness’ each person truly is and their unique space in the heart of life. At the moment in Benalmadena I hold 2 free projects… A Creative Art Project with Children and a Relax & Talk Group for people struggling with Mental Health & Chronic Pain. More Info: Our Magnificent Consciousness             A paperback and Digital Book is available from all Major online stores…Amazon and Apple   I share my own magical journey, exploring Who I AM with the help of nine Elemental Beings and expand from a world of fear, struggle and limitation into a New Energy Consciousness of love, grace and freedom. It is in this loving space that I discover my Divine and ALL LOVING self and allow myself to integrate together as one Body Consciousness… a DivineHumanBeing… and Magnificent Master Creator who expresses and creates heart and soul passion on the physical plane and beyond.           Join my MasterCreator Class and emerge yourself in the celebration of life through dance, song, art, relaxed inner journeys and beyond everything known… preparing yourself for your NEW role on New Earth.   There is no time like the present moment to Sign Up and give YOURSELF this magnificent gift… More Info: MasterCreator Class