Wednesday, July 26, 2017
A chronic, piercing pain in her back prevented Deborah Sferlazza, 60, from doing even the most basic tasks like grocery shopping or going out to dinner with friends.
“The pain sent me into a deep depression. I didn’t want to leave the house. I felt like my life was over and I didn’t know how I could keep living with this kind of pain,” Sferlazza said. “I kept asking, ‘Why me?’”
Sferlazza lives in Shelby Township and worked in education for three decades. She spent ten of those years as principal of Brookfield Academy in Rochester Hills. The school was undergoing renovations in 2006 and she did a little too much heavy lifting and injured her back. That’s when the pain entered her life and never left.
“I had to go on disability and eventually needed to retire early because I was in so much agony,” she added. “I found myself avoiding doing much of anything. I was treating myself like a china doll, worrying that anything I might do would break me.”
She had three back surgeries. The pain did not fade. Medications took some of the edge off, but her life remained on hold.
Then, her physical therapist recommended joining a pain self-management therapy group led by Bruce Hillenberg, Ph.D., a Beaumont pain psychologist.
“Within weeks, I noticed a difference in my mood and approach to living with chronic pain. I learned to live in the moment. I learned to look at the flowers, hear the birds, feel the breeze on my skin and enjoy life,” she said. “I finally felt like I had more control over my life.”
In the pain management group, members learn about mindfulness, breathing and relaxation, overcoming fear of movement, and starting over each day.
Dr. Hillenberg, psychology director, Health and Wellness Pain Management at Beaumont Hospital, Troy, said, “When patients experiencing chronic pain talk with others facing the same kinds of challenges, it helps them understand they are not alone. The group meetings give patients confidence and we teach techniques to manage pain that don’t involve a pill.”
Sferlazza just recently celebrated her 60th birthday surrounded by beloved friends and family. She’s still in pain every day, but she knows how to manage it.
“The techniques I learned truly changed my life. My pain is in the backseat now. It’s always there, but I’m not letting the pain control me anymore,” she said.
Sferlazza and Dr. Hillenberg are part of a free community event entitled, “Living with Chronic Pain: A free, interactive workshop to help you live a meaningful life.” Beaumont Hospital, Troy will host the event in the Moceri Learning Center on Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The interactive program will explore pain science and self-management techniques including strategies from integrative medicine, behavioral health and physical and occupational therapy. During the event, participants will set personal goals to better manage their pain. Registration is required.