The story of the girl who feels no pain

 

Imagine what your world would be like if you felt no pain- would you be invincible? While the idea seems intriguing and appealing, you would probably be more severely injured and require more medical attention as a result of being impervious to pain.

Ashlyn Blocker was born with a rare genetic disorder named Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis leaving her incapable of feeling pain. As a result, she has suffered many injuries while growing up. As a baby while teething, she would chew and cause her lips and mouth to become bloody, all while feeling nothing. While in school, teachers would have to cool her food in order to prevent her from suffering from sever injury to the esophagus and mouth. She has bitten through her tongue severely several times.

Many people do not realize the impact of a life without sensing pain, we often just want to be rid of it. Pain, however, is there for a reason. It protects us from more serious harm and alerts us when something is awry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Heat vs. Ice? Which one do I use?

Posted by Carlos on 06/26/10

While both can be helpful and have their place during recovery, there are some guidelines to keep in mind.

Heat is typically more effectve with chronic injuries and relieves stiffness quickly. Ice can relieve inflammation and swelling quickly, often more than oral anti-inflammatories, without affectin your stomach.

Some people have a sensitivity to cold which can make it more difficult to use ice and other treatments are available if this occurs.

As a general rule, if the injury is recent and there is swelling or inflammation, ice should be applied. It should be applied for a period no longer than 10-15 minutes in order to prevent frostbite and tissue damage.

Did you know?

 

When walking, you don't use your knee muscles to a high degree- in our pampered urban world, many don't realize how weak their knees are until they have to walk in a hilly neighborhood or go up a flight of stairs.