It’s a new year and I hope everyone is off to a colossal start. In my new life I’m Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of a program I’ve been dreaming of and working hard to manifest; A Healing Place The Estates. It’s a program designed for a very underserved and misunderstood population—people suffering with chronic pain and other coexisting problems. Please watch my video from one of our Healing PlaceGroup Rooms and then get into action if you or someone you care about is suffering with chronic pain.
In my latest Video I’m talking the amazing transition from Sacramento to Camarillo and an exciting year with this new Triple Diagnosis Chronic Pain Management Program in Camarillo California – A Healing Place The Estates. Everyone knows we are experiencing a catastrophic epidemic of chronic pain and opioid addiction in the United States. A Healing Place The Estates Triple Diagnosis Chronic Pain Program is committed to making a difference. Please watch my video below then learn more about the programs at our A Healing Place The Estates Programs Page on our website.
Posted on December 30, 2016 by Dr. Steve Grinstead
In my latest Video I’m talking with Dale Ryder about what an exciting year we’ve had with our new Triple Diagnosis Chronic Pain Management Program in Camarillo California. Please watch my video below then learn more about the programs at our website A Healing Place The Estates Programs.
Posted on December 21, 2016 by Dr. Steve Grinstead
A lot of changes have happened in the past six months. In June we closed our Consulting and Training Business in Sacramento and moved to Camarillo California to open a Triple Diagnosis Chronic Pain Management Program we named A Healing Place - The Estates. Please watch my Holiday Video below where I talk about our first successful six week evening treatment program.
Posted on November 23, 2016 by Dr. Steve Grinstead
Today being Gratitude Week (aka Thanksgiving Week) I wanted to cover my most favorite topic—gratitude. Many years ago I learned the value of showing up as a contribution instead of a complaint. Please watch my video below and then read the remainder of this post.
It does take a team to heal a chronic pain patient and the patient needs to be the captain of the team. At A Healing Place – The Estates we are offering this team approach. I am the Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer and our Clinical Director of Specialty Services Dale Ryder.
Whenever I experience pain, I find it very helpful to ask: “What is my pain trying to tell me?” I believe that pain is trying to tell me that something is wrong and that I had better find out what exactly is wrong and find a way to fix it. Today I want to see my pain flare ups as learning opportunities. Please check out my video blog below and then read the remainder of this post.
Last week I presented at the 43rd Annual Kentucky School on Alcohol and Other Drug Studies. This year I presented day long for three days. On the first day I presented a new topic for this school Relapse Prevention For Eating Addiction. On the second day I was asked to present Medication Dilemmas in Recovery. And on the third day back by popular demand Taking The Mystery Out Of Relapse. Please watch my Video Blog and then read on about the school.
I was very excited and at the same time sad about my upcoming journey. We actually over-booked and had 24 people—four more than I had planned. The sad part and exciting part was I’m closing my Sacramento office and moving to open a practice in Southern California—you’ll be hearing more about this in the coming months. Please watch my video below where I’m defining relapse at my last Experiential Day Of Relapse Prevention Planning.
I’m very excited and sad about my upcoming journey. The sad part is I’m closing my Sacramento office and moving to open a practice in Southern California—you’ll be hearing more about this in the coming months. Please watch my video below about my very last Experiential Day Of Relapse Prevention Planning then Sign Up Now Right Here for the workshop because our space is limited there are only 4 slots remaining.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How To Develop A Good Self-Care Plan. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
I have really mixed feelings about this upcoming experiential workshop as it will be the last time I’m presenting it in our Sacramento office because we are closing this office and moving to Southern California later this Summer. Please watch my video below about my Experiential Day Of Relapse Prevention Planning then Sign Up Now Right Here for the workshop now because our space is limited.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How To Understand Addictive Disorders For More Effective Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
This has been a very exciting week for me. The video below is me starting out day four of this five day Advanced Gorski-CENAPS® Relapse Prevention Therapy Certification School. You’ll also get to see my demonstration partner for this training Dena Santos who is with Cedar Point Recovery here in Sacramento. Dena shares how this week has impacted her personally and professionally.. Please watch my video on our Freedom From Suffering NOW Blog Page or directly on my YouTube Channel.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How To Move Beyond Anticipatory Pain And Suffering For More Effective Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
First of all let me be clear that I am NOT anti-pain medication. However, there is new evidence to support that in many instances opioids may not be the best medication for someone living with chronic pain. Please watch my Video Blog at our Freedom From Suffering NOW Blog Page or on my YouTube Channel and then read the remainder of this post.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How To Tell The Difference Between Pain And Suffering For More Effective Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
Today I was Presenting at the Annual American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Pain And Addiction Common Threads Course. Jim Jones with Valley Forge Medical Center (VFMC)—My East Coast Addiction-Free Pain Management® Center of Excellence—was there and we were talking about my work with VFMC and what I was doing at this ASAM Conference. Please watch my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of my post.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How To Incorporate Spirituality Into Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is titled: How Take The Mystery Out of Relapse For Effective Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
This week I had the honor and privilege to work with a great group of motivated inmate participants at San Quentin State Prison who I trained to become Gorski-CENAPS® Certified Denial Management Specialists. Please watch my Video Blog I recorded the final morning of the training just outside the gates of San Quentin Prison right on San Francisco Bay.
This my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is How To Identify And Manage The Inner Saboteur For Effective Chronic Pain Management. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
How do I know when someone is having a problem with pain medication? This is one of the most frequent questions I get from family members, friends or even healthcare providers for someone they know on ongoing medication management. Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is How Help Friends Or Family Members Suffering With Chronic Pain that can help achieve freedom from suffering for everyone. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is How To Develop An Effective AND Safe Chronic Pain Management Plan that will allow people to achieve true freedom from suffering. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
This is the next in my ongoing series of how to V-Blogs. This one is How To Identify And Manage Stress. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific "How To" topics.
You can watch it on our Freedom From Suffering NOW Blog Page or directly to my YouTube Channel At This Link.
I have really mixed feelings about this upcoming training as it will be the last time I’m presenting it in Sacramento as we are closing this office and moving to Southern California later this year. Please watch my video below about my upcoming Sacramento Addiction Free Pain Management® (APM) Certification School then Sign Up Now Right Here for my upcoming APM™ Training in Sacramento on April 21-13, 2016 because our space is limited.
This is the second in my series of how to V-Blogs. This one is How To Escape The Chronic Pain Trance. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific How To topics.
This blog is different it's all about the V-Blog only. This is the first in my series of how to videos. Please let me know if you are interested in any specific how to topics.
Do you get confused on what to do when your clients have chronic pain and coexisting disorders including addition? Don’t feel all alone, many healthcare providers are in this situation. Watch my video below and Sign Up NOW.
It was an awesome day at my Sacramento Workshop last Saturday, where I covered the ABCs on the progression of addiction, recovery and relapse. In the Video Blog below is a segment where I talked to the participants about what to expect from this dynamic workshop and the first part is all about why people start using alcohol and other drugs. Please watch the Video Blog below to learn more.
It was an awesome day at my Sacramento Workshop yesterday where I covered the ABCs on the progression of addiction, recovery and relapse. In the Video Blog below is a segment where I talked about taking the mystery out of relapse and how relapse is a process and not an event. Please watch the video below to learn more.
If you’re like me you know that living with chronic pain can be very difficult. If you also have a coexisting addiction or other psychological disorders it becomes even harder. Your self-esteem is practically non-existent and many of you may even lose the support of their significant others. Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post.
Attend my dynamic workshop to empower yourself to creatively change what stands in your way, so you can balance your life, enhance your recovery and increase your level of performance at work. Please watch my Video Blog below about my dynamic upcoming Sacramento Experiential Workshop and then check out the remainder of this blog and learn why you should sign up now.
I am excited to be presenting my upcoming experiential workshop, ABCs of Addiction Recovery and Relapse Prevention, onSaturday February 27, 2016,from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in Sacramento California.This workshop is 7.5 contact hours. To learn more about this exciting day please watch my Video Blog but Sign Up for ThisDynamic Workshop Now because space is limited.
This morning I had a great group of motivated participants who joined me for an “Early-Bird” presentation of “Managing Medication Dillimmas in Recovery at the 42nd Annual Colorado Springs Winter Symposium. Please watch my Video Blog of the opening of my presentation this morning.
It was such an honor to be asked back to present at the Psychotherapy Associates 40th Annual Winter Symposium "Addictive Disorders, Behavioral Health and Mental Health" in Colorado Springs. By popular demand one of the topics I presented this year was Walking The Tightrope of Pain Management and Addiction. Please watch my video blog and then read the remainder of the post.
I am so excited to be presenting my upcoming experiential workshop, ABCs of Addiction Recovery and Relapse Prevention, Saturday February 27thfrom 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.This workshop is 7.5 contact hours. To learn more watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post.
I completed a very successful Experiential Day of Relapse Prevention Planning on Saturday January 23, 2016. I will be doing more workshops in the coming months and you can register right now at our Freedom From Suffering NOW Live Events Pageto ensure your space. Please check out my Video Blog below as I opened up our experiential day and then read the remainder of this post.
Today I want to discuss the importance of differentiating between physical symptoms and psychological/emotional pain symptoms for better chronic pain management outcomes. I know how important this is for me because it truly is the difference between ouch this hurts or this is killing me, it’s terrible awful or horrible. Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post for more information.
I am so excited to offer you the starting place to help end people suffering with their chronic pain and addiction. Right now you have an opportunity to obtain my new dynamic three-part Webinar Webcast I’m calling Walking the Tightrope of Pain Management and Addiction™. To learn more please Check This Out Now! Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post.
Join me for an Experiential Day of Relapse Prevention Planningon Saturday January 23, 2016, In Sacramento California. This is a MUST ATTEND for you or any of your friends and or family members that have any kind of chemical or process addictive disorders. Our space is limited so register right now at our Freedom From Suffering NOW Live Events Pageto ensure your space. If you want more information please check out my Video Blog and then read the remainder of this post.
Gratitude Versus Suffering—Gratitude always starts and ends every day for me as an integral component of my own quality of life. This morning on the first day of this New Year as I was going through my readings I saw several of them focused on gratitude and knew that was my focus for today’s Blog. Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of my post.
I have been living with my own chronic pain for over three decades as I’m writing this. I can remember the early years when I suffered with my pain and believe me I never want to return to those bleak and horrible times when my pain controlled, and consumed, my entire life. In my book Freedom From Suffering: A Journey of Hopeyou can read about many instances of people overcoming adversity by developing and following seven strategic steps.
I’ve been living with my own chronic pain for over 32 years and there were times in the first few years where I fell into a deep dark place of despair and hopelessness—a chronic pain trance. Over the past three decades I’ve been working with other people living with chronic pain who were in similar emotional pits. For me the journey out of despair and into hope came as a result of going through a painful grieving process and finding a Spiritual Mentor. That is why I wrote my book Freedom From Suffering: A Journey Of Hope.Please also watch my Video Blog and read the remainder of this post.
I’m in the middle of My Addiction Free Pain Management® (APM) Certification School in our office in Sacramento California. You can watch my video below where I’m talking about the development of my Addiction-Free Pain Management® Treatment System.
This week Ellen and I are spending the week in Los Angeles participating in a program called SHIFT where we are in a room of 50 professionals who are committed to making a difference in the world by sharing their vision with others. Today I had an opportunity to further refine my Spiritual Warrior Mission, Intention and Vision. Please check out my video blog and read the remainder of this Blog.
Today being Gratitude Week (aka Thanksgiving Week) I wanted to cover my most favorite topic—gratitude. Many years ago I learned the value of showing up as a contribution instead of a complaint. When life gets rough many of us start complaining; at least I know I do. One day I was going on and on to a good friend of mine who, after listening for a while, asked me if I would be willing to make a list of all the things in my life I was grateful for instead of just complaining.
A long time ago I realized that living with chronic pain meant needing to challenge some of my mistaken beliefs about suffering. For the first two years after my injury I can honestly say I was into suffering big time. Check out my Video Blog and the remainder of this post.
Over the past 30 years I’ve been excited, honored and privileged to be on my own Spiritual Warrior Journey while at the same time helping other people obtain the freedom from suffering I have achieved. Please watch my Video Blog below for more about the importance, and power, of using Intention, Desire and Mission and then read the remainder of my post to learn the rest of the story.
My early experience with chronic pain was often associated as endless, meaningless suffering—and I was very identified with that state of mind. Suffering is often seen as inseparable from the physical pain we experience and can influence the way we express our pain. This was certainly true for me—it prevented from taking action to change my experience. There is a dynamic that goes along with suffering that you may have heard about - it’s call the anticipatory pain reaction and believe it or not, it’s something that you can change. Please watch my Video Blog and read the remainder of this post.
I believe people suffering with chronic pain and coexisting problems including addiction need to be treated by healthcare professionals knowledgeable about the obstacles they face and how to overcome any roadblocks to positive outcomes. One of the biggest problems is our failure as healthcare providers to identify the coexisting problems these people are also experiencing. Please watch my Video Blog and then read the remainder of my post for information about the balancing act when needed when working with this challenging population.
I believe people suffering with chronic pain and coexisting problems including addiction need to be treated by professionals knowledgeable about the obstacles they face and how to overcome them. They also need an insurance policy I call the relapse intervention plan. Please watch m y video below and then read the remainder of my post for information about the balancing act when walking a tightrope of pain management and addiction.
I’ve conducted several workshops and conference presentations the past six weeks and the most often asked question is: What is effective chronic pain management? The answer is—it depends. For example if someone is also experiencing coexisting problems including addiction it becomes very challenging. Please watch my Video Blog and read the remainder of this post for some answers and resources for this challenging question.
Since 1984 I have been so excited, honored and privileged to be on my own Spiritual Warrior journey and also helping other people obtain the freedom from suffering I have achieved. Many people I see are in a very hopeless and helpless place and see no way out. Sometimes all it takes is to let them know others have been where they are and have found a way out. Please watch my Video Blog below for how my new Life Without Armor: The Spiritual Warrior Journey message began this year and then read the remainder of my post to learn the rest of the story. If you’re not on my list, Click Here NOW to sign up for Newsletters and future posts.
I believe people suffering with chronic pain an coexisting problems including addiction need to be treated by professionals knowledgeable about the obstacles they face and how to overcome them. Please watch m y video below and then read the remainder of my post for information about some of the information you’ll get at my December 10-12 Training—You should Sign Up NOWbefore watching this video as space is limited.
Posted on November 21, 2014 by Dr. Steve Grinstead
This past week I’ve been in Norristown Pennsylvania at the Valley Forge Medical Center’s (VFMC) Addiction-Free Pain Management® Center of Excellence program. At VFMC they help people living with chronic pain who were very frustrated when they weren’t receiving the pain relief they want and deserve and unfortunately many turned to continuously increasing doses of pain medications. Unfortunately these people often used the wrong type or too much medication and sometimes it worked but more often it made the problem worse in the long run. Please watch my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of my post.
When someone is living with chronic pain, they can get very frustrated when they aren’t receiving the pain relief they want and deserve. I know because when I experience a pain flare up, I just want the pain to stop—now! Unfortunately they usually often use only medication management and sometimes it works but sometimes it makes the problem worse for the long run. Please watch my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of my post.
Last year I recorded a Video Blog titled Stop Calling It Drug Seeking Behavior that has generated a lot of interest and comments. This past weekend I had another inquiry and call for help from someone who was on receiving end of this horrible stigma and it led me to re-posting this Video Blog below and re-introducing this topic on the remainder of this Freedom From Suffering NOW Blog. Please view my original Video Blog below and then read the remainder of this post.
This past week I’ve experienced two migraine episodes and one was triggered by emotional stressors the other by my allergies. I decided it has been a long time since I’ve blogged about this topic and this time I wanted to include information that I hope you find useful. Please watch my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of my post.
I know this time of year can be especially challenging for people living with chronic pain as the Holidays are upon us. It’s even more difficult when a person is in recovery from any addictive disorder including prescription medication addiction. I just recorded a short Video Blog that you can see below on this topic and then read the remainder of this post to have a better Holiday Season.
In today’s busy world it’s very important for everyone to incorporate effective stress management tools into our daily living, but especially for those experiencing problems with health or other life problems. Watch my Video Blog below on the importance of becoming a “Stress Buster” and then read the remainder of this post.
Many people with chronic pain disorders become clinically depressed and a medication intervention may be necessary depending upon an assessment of their problem. The Addiction-Free Pain Management® System suggests that a full biopsychosocial evaluation be taken to determine the type and severity of the depression. Please watch my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of this post.
No one likes to see another human being suffering. It saddens us and can leave us feeling helpless, as well as placing immense burdens on the family and friends of those affected. The Addiction-Free Pain Management® Certification School is designed to help healthcare professionals work with individuals who have chronic pain, and potential or actual addictive disorders. Please watch my Video Blog below about my upcoming East and West Coast Trainings and then read the remainder of this post for more information.
Defining pain is sometimes not well understood. When living with chronic pain or supporting a friend or family member who has this condition it is important to understand the psychological and emotional components of chronic pain. Unfortunately, many people with chronic pain are never taught about the difference between the ascending physiological signal and the resultant psychological/emotional components of their chronic pain. Please check out my Video Blog below and then read the remainder of this post.
Welcome to Freedom From Suffering NOW! Are you ready to be Free from Chronic Pain NOW! We offer a number of resources that we hope you will find valuable on your journey to end your Chronic Pain and suffering!
