Alvaro Graña - 52 Years Coping with Chronic Back Pain

Published by BookPublishingWorld in 2021

Copyright ©Alvaro Graña 2021

Cover Design by Scott Gaunt

Cover Photograph by Alvaro Graña

Alvaro Graña is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with Section 77 of the copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner. Nor can it be circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on a subsequent purchaser.

ISBN: 978-1-8384967-5-3

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Acknowledgements

Most of all, I would like to thank my dear wife Ingrid for her incredible support, understanding and patience during the last 24 years, the most critical period of my life when my condition was deteriorating more and more, both physically and mentally.

I would also like to thank the many doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, who have helped me over the last 52 years since my sports injury. I would particularly like to show my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Robert Hatfield, my chiropractor, without whom my life for the last 30 years would have been very different and much more difficult.

I wish to express my love and gratitude to Ingrid, who has spent a lot of time proof-reading my book, and for her patience and understanding, while I have been engaged in writing this book.

I hope many people will find this book helpful, but if it helps just one person in similar circumstances, that would be my greatest wish fulfilled.

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY FAMILY.

I dedicate this book to my wife Ingrid, who is my rock, who always supports me in whatever I do, and to the rest of my family, my chidren Natalia and Orlando as well as my grandchildren Maya, Alfie, Javie and River. I hope that one day they will read my book and learn that though there may be problems and suffering in life we each need to face them not as problems but as challenges. I love you all with all my heart and with all my strength.

Foreword

This is the story of one man’s experience and his way of coping with pain over a 52 year journey.

The book reads as if Alvaro Graña is talking to the individual reader, relating his ups and downs, revealing his strengths and weaknesses alike; admitting not taking specialist advice too seriously at times, not persevering or giving up, demonstrating he and the reader are likely to have much in common. It is only when things become really difficult that he realises that he needs to follow medical advice more rigidly, and in addition take charge of his situation by doing his own investigations to find ways of helping alleviate his situation.

The author could be described as ‘the man next door’, he has no medical qualifications, and no prior knowledge of alternative/complementary healing methods or medication.

Therefore, this book is an invitation to fellow chronic pain sufferers to accompany him on his journey, a voyage of discovery, as he finds ways of confronting what would otherwise limit his horizons.

Alvaro talks about failures as well as successes, however it is important to remember that some process or method that was not helpful to the author, has indeed helped others, and viceversa.

The aim of this book is to encourage the readers to take charge of their own individual situation, and to find what works best for them, by pointing out shortcuts, describing what is available and what he has found helpful.

You will note that the reader is repeatedly encouraged to seek medical guidance before trying anything new, rather than ‘going it alone’.

On a personal note, I find this book very readable while crammed full of helpful tips and information, as well as some interesting anecdotes.

Ingrid Graña

Editor

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Most of all, I would like to thank my dear wife Ingrid for her incredible support, understanding and patience during the last 24 years, the most critical period of my life when my condition was deteriorating more and more, both physically and mentally. I would also like to thank the many doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, who have helped me over the last 52 years since my sports injury. I would particularly like to show my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Robert Hatfield, my chiropractor, without whom my life for the last 30 years would have been very different and much more difficult. I wish to express my love and gratitude to Ingrid, who has spent a lot of time proof-reading my book, and for her patience and understanding, while I have been engaged in writing this book. I hope many people will find this book helpful, but if it helps just one person in similar circumstances, that would be my greatest wish fulfilled.

Foreword Foreword This is the story of one man’s experience and his way of coping with pain over a 52 year journey. The book reads as if Alvaro Graña is talking to the individual reader, relating his ups and downs, revealing his strengths and weaknesses alike; admitting not taking specialist advice too seriously at times, not persevering or giving up, demonstrating he and the reader are likely to have much in common. It is only when things become really difficult that he realises that he needs to follow medical advice more rigidly, and in addition take charge of his situation by doing his own investigations to find ways of helping alleviate his situation. The author could be described as ‘the man next door’, he has no medical qualifications, and no prior knowledge of alternative/complementary healing methods or medication. Therefore, this book is an invitation to fellow chronic pain sufferers to accompany him on his journey, a voyage of discovery, as he finds ways of confronting what would otherwise limit his horizons. Alvaro talks about failures as well as successes, however it is important to remember that some process or method that was not helpful to the author, has indeed helped others, and viceversa. The aim of this book is to encourage the readers to take charge of their own individual situation, and to find what works best for them, by pointing out shortcuts, describing what is available and what he has found helpful. You will note that the reader is repeatedly encouraged to seek medical guidance before trying anything new, rather than ‘going it alone’. On a personal note, I find this book very readable while crammed full of helpful tips and information, as well as some interesting anecdotes. Ingrid Graña Editor

Introduction Me and My Back Pain

Joint and Back Pain

• How can we define pain?

• Types of pain

• Words to do with pain

• How we respond to pain

Chronic Pain – The Gate Control Theory of Pain

• Vicious Spiral of Chronic Pain

• Types of medicine to manage chronic pain

The two types of sufferers

Pain Management

Things that you can do yourself

Things to avoid

Pain suffering scenarios

Causes of joint pain

Back Pain:

• The anatomy of the back

• Causes of back pain