Today one of the most common reasons people see a physician is because of an all-too familiar term called chronic pain. It has been reported by the Institute of Medicine that unfortunately at least 100 million adults alone in the United States suffer from the condition. Alleviating pain is not a simple straight forward task and it affects more people than suffering from heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Chronic pain is often more complex. Pain could be the cause of minor injuries or, sprained ankle or, a burned hand, but all these have one thing in common - they all have a lasting effect on an individual. Some of us have a misconception that pain is purely a physical sensation; however, the aftermaths of pain has deeper influence on biological, psychological and emotional factors as well. The results of regular chronic pain could lead a person to have anger issues, feeling of hopelessness and anxiety. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to say that one must address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects in order to treat pain away effectively.
The recommended treatment for the chronic pain is medications, surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy. However, one must not neglect the psychological treatment. It's a proven fact that having a comprehensive understanding of the root cause and managing the thoughts, behaviors and emotions can help one deal with the condition more effectively and can be helpful in reducing the intensity of the pain.
One of the many ways to cope with the thoughts, feelings and behaviors accompanying the condition is seeking help from physiologists. Many health care providers understand the potential of getting in touch with experts and will refer their patients to a psychologist. These professionals collaborate with the patient to address the physical and emotional aspects of the pain. You are free to discuss your apprehensions, needs, circumstances with them. At times you may be asked to complete a questionnaire on your worries, experiences, stress, thoughts and feelings related to the pain.
All this will help them understand your concerns and diagnose a treatment plan which includes inculcating relaxation techniques, making a drastic change in old beliefs about the pain and building new coping skills. Some cases also involve distraction and alteration of how your brain processes pain sensations.
Pain mostly contributes to insomnia, thus a psychologist may also help you learn new ways to regain normal sleep cycle. Eventually helping you make a lifestyle changes by allowing you to continue participating in work and recreational activities.
You would also want to consider the following pain relievers:- Non-opioid (aspirin and paracetamol) for mild to moderate pain.
- Opioid (morphine and oxycodone) for severe pain.
- Paracetamol
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs (ibuprofen) for inflammation
- Opioid drugs (codeine and morphine)
- Local anaesthetics
Other than the above treatments, make sure you stay physically active, exercise on a regular basis, distract yourself (Watch a movie, engage in a hobby or visit a museum), don't lose hope and follow prescriptions carefully.
Where to get help if everything fails:
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