There’s no doubt that chronic pain changes lives. It affects self-image and interferes with plans or important events. It can affect almost every aspect of a person’s daily life activities. A study from The Institute of Medicine shows that 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain that lasts for at least 3-6 months.
An Interventional pain management treatment may help in coping with pain, but there are many things that you can do yourself to better manage chronic pain. Here are some tips from our expert – a pain management doctor in Coral Springs, that you may want to consider.
1. Accept the nature of your pain
It is not easy, but accepting the nature of your pain can alleviate the emotional struggle associated with it. A pain Psychologists, Ted Jones, Ph.D., points out that how a person perceives their pain is an important indicator of success. “Catastrophizing” means that a patient is telling himself that his pain is the worst pain imaginable, hence convincing himself that it is far worse than it actually is. This kind of situation has been shown to be the main factor contributing to negative pain treatment outcomes.
You can start by focusing on what you can presently do. Being grateful can surely help you move forward because it is taking the focus away from the loss.
Remember, that there are pain management specialists out there, who will tailor the treatment and the available therapeutic methods to your needs. Read more about Dr. Dane Pohlman – the leading pain management doctor in Coral Springs area.
2. Learn new relaxation techniques
The main function of pain is to stimulate the body into action to avoid danger. It is known as the “fight or flight” response. The psychologist explains that the body’s natural adaptive response to pain involves physiological changes, which is useful and likely life-saving in the initial stage. But since the pain is ongoing, the body may not function well due to the ongoing stress.
Through learning some relaxation techniques, you are allowing your body to calm down, hence supporting the elimination of stress. Some relaxation techniques include:
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Guided imagery
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Qi gong
There is no such thing as a secret formula or the best relaxation technique – this is all inpidual. You should try several techniques to find the one that works best for you.
3. Learn to pace your activities
There will be some days you feel good giving you the urge to make up for the activities you have missed. But you should do activities in moderation on these days, otherwise you might induce suffering in the days to come. Get used to breaking down large tasks into smaller pieces – remember, it is important to always take your time.
4. Learn to control your thoughts
Experts say that a conscious mind is necessary when experiencing pain. This is why the mind can be recruited into the treatment of pain. There are three main areas where the mind’s power can be controlled to affect pain:
- Controlling muscle tension
- Controlling attention
- Controlling the interpretation of pain
Learning to control your thoughts through some psychological techniques will make you aware of how the pain is affecting you. Some techniques include, mindful meditation, hypnosis, and guided imagery. Through these techniques, you can learn to control your focus and come out with an experience that could ease your pain.
5. Set a plan and stick to it
According to our pain medicine specialist, setting a goal is an effective treatment for pain. Most pain patients want to improve their quality of life and become more engaged in important ‘family and friends’ events, such as reunions and outings.
To achieve the goals, the plan must be realistic and measurable. For instance, don’t just vow to exercise every day, instead set a specific plan such as ‘I will exercise for 15 to 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week’ or ‘I will jog for 30 minutes every day’.
By regularly accomplishing small goals you will be motivated to work hard towards achieving the bigger ones. Setting a plan and focusing on your achievements won’t diminish your pain, but it will surely give you better results and a clearer mindset in the long term.
Since there is no instant cure for chronic pain, trying some of these tips can be helpful in managing your pain. Remember that it is important to strictly follow your interventional pain management doctor’s direction to achieve good results.
Pohlman Pain Associates – Your reliable Pain Management Doctor in Coral Springs. We stay true in restoring and maximizing patient’s function and quality of life. We are highly-trained in the area of innovative interventional techniques for spine care, peripheral joint disease, and chronic pain.
Do not live with pain any longer. Schedule your appointment today to see what options are available for your unique situation. Call us at (754)-206-1877 or visit our website to find out how we can help you ease your pain.