According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 50 million adults in the United States experience chronic pain (1). This pain can have a life-changing impact on people. Over time, pain can eliminate the enjoyment of daily activities from work to home life. Experienced chronic pain can be frustrating. It can interfere with relationships and make the patient angry or withdraw.
However, there are several coping strategies that can help you control your pain. A large number of studies (2) show that chronic pain is greatly affected by the processing of pain signals in our brain. The brain can also learn how to manage pain. Therefore, managing or controlling chronic pain by developing coping techniques can be an effective way to start a painless life.
In advanced pain care, chronic pain is treated through holistic, multidisciplinary approaches. Various healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, work with pain management physicians to develop tailored treatment plans for each patient. Contact Pain Relief Institute of America today to learn about our multidisciplinary approach to managing and relieving pain. Coping strategies can enhance chronic pain management. Advanced pain care provides comprehensive treatments that integrate a variety of coping abilities.
Types of chronic pain and causes
Some chronic pain conditions that are diagnosed and treated in advanced pain clinics include:
- Back pain: Pain can range from dull to sharp, shooting spasms, and may hinder movement. It can occur due to muscle sprains, inflamed joints, and pinch or nerves.
- Cancer Pain: Cancer growth or malignant tumors can cause severe pain when they disrupt the growth and spread of tissues as this process and put pressure on nerves, bones, and organs. Cancer tumors can also secrete different toxins that can cause damage to the body’s structure while causing severe and debilitating pain.
- Degenerative joint disease: This can become painful when the spinal disc degeneration causes the impact of the spinal vertebrae that cannot be properly absorbed. This can make the spine involved in the flexion, twisting, or any movement uncomfortable or painful.
- Fibromyalgia: Although the main indicators include musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, this is a complex pain disorder characterized by different symptoms. This pain disorder can amplify any sensation of pain and is experienced primarily in the back, neck, abdomen, or muscles.
- Buttock pain: The pain experienced in the hip area can be for a variety of reasons, such as aging, disease or trauma. It can be caused by arthritis, sprains or fatigue, posture problems, or bone cancer.
- Migraines and headaches: Headache caused by tension can cause pain and stress on the temple/front and cause interference during sleep. Depending on the cause, a headache for migraine is often considered a blind attack of pain or pain, and is not usually limited to specific areas of the head, neck, or face. Migraines can also be more severe, often caused by environmental factors such as eating specific types of food or exposure to loud sounds/bright lights.
- Neck pain: Neck pain (or cervical pain) also affects a large proportion of Americans, mainly caused by cervical degeneration. Other causes may include poor posture, stress, poor sleep, trauma, or age-related conditions.
- Neurological pain and neurological disorders: These are what happens when nerves in the peripheral nervous system are damaged or destroyed. Two common forms of neuralgia are shingles and trigeminal neuralgia. Some of the most common causes of neuralgia or neuropathy include metabolic diseases, malnutrition, and alcoholism.
- Pain after surgery: Many patients report moderate to severe postoperative pain. Patients may continue to experience pain due to various reasons, such as surgical trauma or inflammation. Sometimes, this can be mild discomfort or pain, although it can also escalate into acute conditions with more severe pain.
Skills that every patient with chronic pain must know
Chronic pain can affect the body and the mind. Pain medicine and other chronic pain treatments are most effective when blended with psychological and emotional coping strategies.
study
Understanding your chronic pain and its causes can alleviate your fear of the condition. You can ask your doctor or use other reliable resources to get more knowledge about your condition and the appropriate treatment plan to relieve pain.
Participating in self-management education (SME) programs for chronic health conditions can also be beneficial as they teach you pain management techniques that relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
accept
Receiving the causes of chronic pain means acknowledging the reality of the condition. The more you accept chronic pain as a part of your life, the more you can relax and develop a plan to relieve symptoms. Rather than highlighting this condition on the disease, many patients have their brain turn their focus to pain control, but find it easier to find the right treatment plan and reduce factors to reduce their quality of life. Psychological techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) have shown many benefits to patients with chronic pain conditions.
calm
Patients with chronic pain syndrome tend to maintain physiological arousal. However, this constant awakening can quickly generate tired learning diaphragmaragmatic breathing, which involves inhalation with the diaphragm rather than the chest and shoulders, a quick and easy tool that prevents pain. It reduces the patient’s combat flight response and will have a calming effect. Other calming techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness, yoga and Tai Chi, etc.
Pace
This involves pacing tasks throughout the day to maintain energy and control pain. Rhythm can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, divide a major task into smaller tasks or adjust the schedule appropriately if you see fit.
response
Coping refers to the use of therapeutic tools, transfer strategies and learning skills. This is beneficial for patients with severe pain. Coping treatment strategies include taking painkillers, hot and cold therapies, the application of topical face creams, and massage.
Transfer technology helps patients shift their attention to negative thoughts and helps control chronic pain. Some examples of such techniques include a favorite movie, talking to loved ones or engaging in activities you like.
Improve quality of life through active response technology of pain management
Relieving pain does not always come from medication. A comprehensive management approach involves active coping strategies that best relieve chronic pain. In Pain Relief Institute of America in Austin, we are online with most insurance providers, making our patients’ pain management journey as simple as possible. If you are in a state where chronic pain has become too much to cope, consider visiting one of our clinics in Texas.
Our pain experts will work with you to diagnose your condition and treat chronic pain with the most appropriate care plan. If you are looking for chronic pain treatment in Texas, contact the Pain Relief Institute of America Clinic near you for the help you deserve and improve your quality of life.