Information and opinions on health from Denise Coleman at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/21749/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/21749/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/21749/index http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/107189/legislation Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:05:48 -0400 Denise Coleman There are a myriad of different opinions about the Health Care Reform Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.  I think the most important fact is that it was passed and is a good start to really reviewing and reforming health care in this country.  While there has been very little discussion about the quality of and methods of delivery for health care, which needs to be done before we can honestly say we have... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/107189/legislation http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/104538/it-is-up-to Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:29:43 -0500 Denise Coleman If you have read my previous posts you know that I have been actively advocating to remove all barriers that inhibit or deny effective treatment to people living in pain.  Most of us who live with chronic pain know that these barriers can be in the form of legislation, policy regulations, insurance requirements and even the negative perception that some people in the medical community (and general public) may have towards pain and the... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/104538/it-is-up-to http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/102670/taking-back Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:37:46 -0500 Denise Coleman On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, I was in Albany, NY, to testify at a Legislative Briefing on low back pain injuries and the need for effective chronic pain treatment.  The primary cause for holding this briefing was a set of proposed guidelines on low back injuries, however we also took this opportunity to bring to the attention of those in attendance the many existing barriers to accessing treatments, whether they be lack of medical... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/102670/taking-back http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/101769/taking-back Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:03:39 -0500 Denise Coleman Several weeks have gone by since I have posted anything, although I have enjoyed reading what others have written.  I do hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season and that your New Year is filled with good health, happiness and love.   It’s been a difficult few months between moving to a new apartment in my building right before Christmas, the hectic but pleasant holidays, and then some health related problems that have not... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/101769/taking-back http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/89365/individuals Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:40:39 -0400 Denise Coleman The National Center for Health Statistics reports that over 76 million people live with pain.  I was reminded recently that we must not just think of this huge number but of the individuals that comprise it. I met a woman who is living with disabling pain, trying to cope and support herself, even though the Social Security Administration has informed her that she does not qualify for disability insurance; she isn’t in enough... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/89365/individuals http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/87294/pain-impacted Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:45:13 -0400 Denise Coleman September has been designated Pain Awareness Month as part of the Decade of Pain Research and Treatment, established by Congress and effective as of January 2001.  According to the National Center for Medical Statistics over 70 million Americans report that they experience pain, many living with severe chronic pain, for which effective treatment is limited.  I believe that unless we have lived with chronic pain we cannot understand... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/87294/pain-impacted http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/85963/peeve-part-2 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:08:27 -0400 Denise Coleman My last Post was about the lack of curb cuts in Manhattan and the inconvenience that can cause a person who relies on a motorized scooter or wheelchair to get around the city.  I hope you found it interesting, and perhaps even a little enjoyable.  Today I want to pick up where I left off and tell you what happened when I got to my destination, the brand new New York Times building.  I was meeting a friend for lunch in a lovely... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/85963/peeve-part-2 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/85814/pet-peeve Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:02:57 -0400 Denise Coleman I have a new pet peeve!  Don’t go running, I think you may find this interesting. Those of you who have read my previous emails know that I travel around Manhattan using a motorized scooter and am thrilled that I can maintain a good deal of my independence by doing this.  I moved to Manhattan 11 years ago when I could no longer drive because of my deteriorating eyesight and seizure activity; I couldn’t picture living in... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/85814/pet-peeve http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/84114/changing-life Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:24:22 -0400 Denise Coleman Imagine overcoming many challenges in life to obtain your college degree and begin and build your career to a level of success, only to have to give it all up at an early age because your body won’t work.  Many of you reading this have done just this, as have I.  And the changes in my life that followed have been difficult and at times depressing, but as with everything, we find a way to keep on going and when possible continue... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/84114/changing-life http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/82953/strike Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:12:22 -0400 Denise Coleman I’ve decided I need a break. I’m going on strike.  I can only take so much and then I need to have some space and time of my own. I am tired of going from one appointment to another, draining the last bit of energy I have left in me.  I used to love having busy days at work and dashing from one interesting meeting to another, and I probably would still love that.  What I am talking about, however, is something very... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/21749/82953/strike