This time of year, I redirect my thoughts towards my patients.  Pain in patients can be a tricky thing.  Sometimes, it seems fairly obvious why they are in pain.  Perhaps they slipped and fell, or maybe picked something up wrong.  Many times, the pain has nothing to do with physical injury.  Instead, it’s suffering steeped in years of deeply rooted mental or emotional trauma that forces its way to the surface during holidays.  Holidays can become a weak spot in the seemingly impenetrable armor of the people who hide it well for most of the year.