The Sentinel

Illinois adds Aaliyah Guyton to women's basketball roster

CHAMPAIGN – The Fighting Illini women's basketball program is gearing up for a dynamic boost with the addition of Aaliyah Guyton, announced head coach Shauna Green. Guyton, a 5-foot-7-inch guard hailing from Peoria, Illinois, joins Illinois as a rising sophomore transfer from Iowa, marking a significant recruitment coup for the Big Ten squad.

Guyton, who played her prep ball at Peoria High School, brings a robust basketball pedigree to Champaign. Her career trajectory includes a notable stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she made 29 appearances and averaged 4.7 points per game during her freshman campaign. Iowa, a formidable force in NCAA competition, secured a No. 6 seed in the tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 last season.

"I chose Illinois because of the strong sense of community, the incredible growth opportunities, and the chance to be part of something meaningful alongside an amazing team and staff," said Guyton, expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming season. "I'm truly grateful to Coach Green for recruiting me again; it really speaks to the belief she has in me. I'm excited to get started and be a part of the FamILLy!"

Recognized as the No. 57 prospect nationwide by ESPN HoopGurlz and the top player in Illinois by PrepGirlsHoops.com in the Class of 2024, Guyton's accolades extend beyond her collegiate debut. As a high school standout, she earned consensus all-state honors, averaging 21.6 points per game during her junior season before an injury-shortened senior year.

Coach Green expressed her excitement about Guyton's addition, highlighting her versatility and leadership potential. "I am absolutely thrilled to have Aaliyah join our family," said Green. "She brings Big Ten experience and the ability to lead our team at the point guard position. Aaliyah's scoring ability and elite defensive skills will be invaluable to our system. I cannot wait to get Aaliyah to campus!"

With Guyton set to don the orange and blue for the 2025-26 season, Illinois fans can look forward to her having a positive impact on and off the court. With the next season months away, the Fighting Illini look poised to capitalize on Guyton's talents as they pursue new heights in Big Ten competition.

Understanding the Link Between Stress and Chronic Pain: Key Findings Revealed

Study says depression and anxiety caused by chronic pain may contribute to a poor quality of life and reduce life expectancy.

by Terri Dee
Indiana News Service

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is the body's way of processing work, personal, and family pressures, or other triggers.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found a link between stress and chronic pain, which is defined as pain that persists for three months or more and lasts beyond the normal healing time of an injury or illness.

Former chiropractor Dr. Sean Pastuch is CEO of Active Life, a personal coaching company focusing on chronic pain-management options.

He suggested that biological, psychological and social interventions could be effective forms of treatment.

What is viewed as pleasurable to some may feel painful to others.

"The connection between all of those three things -- the physical, the mental, and the emotional -- is that when we think about pain, no one's defining what the word means," said Pastuch. "So, if we evaluate what the word 'pain' means, then we come to find that in order for there to be pain, there needs to be a negative emotional component to it."

He said that if you feel something, you have to decide if you like the way it feels or not. And what is viewed as pleasurable to some may feel painful to others.

The study also says depression and anxiety caused by chronic pain may contribute to a poor quality of life and reduce life expectancy.

A 2022 Indiana Chronic Care Policy Alliance report shows almost 8% of adults have chronic pain, with arthritis as the leading disorder.

Patsuch said patients face obstacles in finding a physician who can identify their pain, which means fewer or no opportunities to receive treatment.

"The reason why doctors struggle to help people with chronic pain, and why the confidence level among doctors is low," said Pastuch, "is because of all the medical schools, fewer than 15 actually have dedicated curriculum to supporting a patient with chronic pain."

Of the medical schools that offer a pain-management curriculum, he said the majority focus on students in the anesthetics department.

Patsuch suggested that when a patient is with their doctor, to use words other than "it just hurts." They need to be able to describe what hurts and ask, "How do I want to resolve it?"

Other interesting articles: