Chronic Pain Program helps Selena – and kids like her – find relief
Selena Jacinto is looking forward to graduating from high school this spring and gearing up for college in the fall. A few months ago, the 17-year-old’s life goals seemed out of reach. Plagued by disabling headaches and body pain for years, Selena found it difficult to attend school, exercise or enjoy hobbies. Chronic pain was […]
Education is an important part of pain rehabilitation
From our experts: Nicole DeHaan is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. People with chronic pain recognize the pain they’re experiencing is … […]
Learning how to manage emotions a vital part of chronic pain management
From our experts: Dr. Evan Parks is a clinical psychologist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. Physical and emotional health are closely linked, and psychology plays a significant role in chronic pain management. We picture our life moving forward, accomplishing goals and enjoying good relationships. When chronic pain enters that picture, many of the […]
Research shows interdisciplinary rehabilitation best treats fibromyalgia
Guest blog: Dr. James Hudson is medical director of the Pain Rehabilitation program. He’s specialized in the treatment and management of patients with chronic pain at Mary Free Bed for more than 30 years. He leads a specialized team of doctors and therapists who use a rehabilitation approach to pain management. In this blog, Dr. […]
Muskegon couple fights their battles against pain together, with help from physical therapy
When Kevin and Beverly Battle were married 36 years ago, they took their vows to love each other in sickness and in health very seriously. Beverly was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disorder that causes loss of vision. Her balance was affected, which led to falls, and she suffered back issues that required surgery. […]
Heather uses discipline, hard work to manage fibromyalgia pain
Heather Galli is passionate about martial arts and the values it teaches. A third-degree black belt, Heather says honor, respect, discipline and hard work are principles she and her husband also instill in their children. Unfortunately, the 48-year-old’s years of training and teaching also took a toll on her body. She was diagnosed in 2018 […]
Pain Rehabilitation Program opens up ‘a whole new world’ for Gerry
Gerry King suffered with debilitating pain for three years. It became so unbearable, the 75-year-old was unable to care for herself at her Kalamazoo home and began living in a nursing facility. “You get to a point where you think, OK, if I have to be this way for the rest of my life, so […]
Wes battles SMA with help of Pain Rehabilitation Program and finds ‘the art of hope’
Wes DeVries has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare condition that affects the muscles, but he hasn’t allowed his physical limitations to quash his creativity. Diagnosed in 1996, the 59-year-old Grand Rapids native is a renowned local artist who dismisses his pain and limited mobility to create abstracts rich in texture and color. In this video, […]
Pain management techniques help with flare ups
Guest blog: Courtney Husen is an occupational therapist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Courtney offers strategies to ease painful flare ups. Chronic pain can impact our […]
Living with chronic pain: Pain rehabilitation and graded exposure to activity
Guest blog: Nicole DeHaan is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Nicole discusses the benefits of graded exposure to activity, […]
After two years of suffering, Pain Rehabilitation Program teaches Nathan ‘you control the pain’
After she broke her ankle in 2016, it was several months before Nathan Parnell was able to put any weight on her injured ankle. Her recovery proved difficult, and Nathan endured disabling pain that reverberated through her legs, hips and back. She struggled for nearly two years before being referred to the Pain Rehabilitation Program […]
Rehabilitation, hard work help Dario overcome debilitating pain
In 2015, Dario Cook was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine and can lead to severe, chronic pain. That was nearly eight years after he first experienced symptoms, collapsing in pain while walking to work. He initially was diagnosed with a hip strain, but the pain never really went […]
Mary Free Bed Pain Center Highlight Videos (Parts 9-12)
In this 12-part Mary Free Bed Pain Center video series, Dr. Eddie O’Connor explains what you can expect during your 6-12 week journey at the Mary Free Bed Pain Center. Our team is here to teach you how to interact with and overcome your pain so that you can get back to the life you […]
Mary Free Bed Pain Center Highlight Videos (Parts 5-8)
In this 12-part Mary Free Bed Pain Center video series, Dr. Eddie O’Connor explains what you can expect during your 6-12 week journey at the Mary Free Bed Pain Center. Our team is here to teach you how to interact with and overcome your pain so that you can get back to the life you want live. […]
Mary Free Bed Pain Center Highlight Videos (Parts 1-4)
In this 12-part Mary Free Bed Pain Center video series, Dr. Eddie O’Connor explains what you can expect during your 6-12 week journey at the Mary Free Bed Pain Center. Our team is here to teach you how to interact with and overcome your pain so that you can get back to the life you […]
The Pain Center helps working mom find relief from stress headaches
For many folks, headaches are often more annoying than painful. But for Kathy Dahms, the pain of her constant headaches was enough to interfere with her daily routine and enjoyment of life. “I don’t remember what it felt like to not have a headache,” Kathy says after being treated at The Pain Center at Mary Free […]
Resilient Teenager Overcomes Challenges of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
At first glance, Kelsey Winslow is just like any other 18-year-old high school student. She loves to meet new people, hang out with friends and spend time with relatives. More often than not, Kelsey has her phone in hand, texting with friends. Kelsey also can’t wait to attend her upcoming senior prom. In fact, dancing is […]
Life no longer on hold for mom and daughter after receiving rehabilitation treatment for chronic headaches
Headaches and migraines run in Erin’s family, so it was no surprise when her daughter began to complain of headaches. When Rachel started missing school and had used up Erin’s bag of tricks for relief, it was time to get Rachel some expert help. Rachel was referred to The Pain Center at Mary Free Bed […]
Motivation during therapy: Returning to life without chronic pain
Research shows nearly everyone at some point in their lives will experience back pain that interferes with work, daily activities or recreation. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason people visit their doctor, and Americans spend $50 billion each year on this ailment. Carol Doubblestein experienced chronic back pain for more than […]
Truck driver finds relief from pain in the Return to Work Program
By Molly Cartwright Jay Bessey, an over-the-road truck driver, is used to driving 45 weeks out of the year. When injuries in 2009 and 2010 prevented him from working, Jay grew restless. He wouldn’t accept that he would never be able to do his job again. In 2009, Jay was at a truck stop when […]
After suffering from debilitating leg pain due to fibromyalgia, patient runs again
by Kate Snider Cindy Amante has had fibromyalgia since she was 7 years old. She gets severe pains in her leg, and sometimes it even hurts to walk. When she was young, one doctor told her not to run because he thought she had arthritis. Since her childhood, Cindy has used that doctor’s advice as […]