I'm grateful that there are many diagnostic tests available, because information about my unique structure is helpful in figuring out a therapeutic approach. That said, sometimes I have found that in the interest of obtaining the right diagnosis, doctors want me to do many invasive tests and exams. When I go to take those tests, the examiners are often efficient. They may not, however, have time or insight to be aware of my feelings, when my normal personal boundaries are crossed ...

She is the founding editor of one of the most informative and impressive websites on chronic illness -- including but not limited to chronic pain. Not only is her site geared toward young women like me, but it comes in a candy-striped pink package! Rock on. In this interview, ChronicBabe’s Jenni Prokopy talks shop about living and working with chronic illness. Loolwa Khazzoom: What was your life like before fibromyalgia? Jenni Prokopy: Before my diagnosis, ...

Medical training leads us to believe that the human body is a walking time bomb. At its best, conventional medicine tries to figure out what's going to blow up first, then head it off at the pass before it gets too serious. We call that "preventative medicine," and we think that it's state-of-the-art.

I recently wrote an article on energy healing, for Massage & Bodywork magazine. As part of this article, I interviewed my all-time favorite body worker and nutrition consultant, Anasuya Batliner, on the topic of natural pain relief through energy healing and nutrition. Loolwa Khazzoom: When I say energy healing, how do you define that? What does that mean to you? Anasuya Batliner: I think about the movement of Chi in the body. Sometimes ...

Here are my top 5 tips for writers with chronic illness: 1. Learn to adapt. Change your schedule, your work patterns, your ergonomics, whatever it takes. 2. Know that change will be continuous. What works today might not work next month, so be flexible! 3. Hunt for ideal clients. Eat Ramen for a few weeks if it means you hold out for a great client -- one who pays you $1 per ...