Thanks Michele.  I appreciate that!

Melissa.

Melissa,

     Very good blog, thank you.  Sleep Deprivation can cause these same things.  Lack of sleep causes Cortisol a stress hormone levels to rise, this can cause weight gain, and put a good deal of stress on the body.  Lack of sleep also causes a decrease in pain tolerance, pain that may be tolerable to you when rested can be unbearable with a lack of sleep.  Of course pain and stress can lead to inadequate sleep, so it all can be a vicious cycle.  Lack of sleep also leads to widespread inflammation which in and of it's self can cause pain.  Happy Thanksgiving Melissa, I wish I could come and bring you a Thanksgiving feast.  I hope you will have a good day anyway!

Michele