In my first article “The Truth About Pain“, I write about the need for pain in our lives. Today’s article will discuss pain and coping techniques. It may surprise you to learn that emotional pain is quite similar to physical pain in the way our brains process the pain signals.
I have read a number of articles that cite studies where physical and emotional pain create similar patterns in brain activity. Physical pain has an emotional component. The emotional component of pain maps in the same area of the brain as social pain. In fact, studies show that people who take pain killers such as acetaminophen can ease their emotional pain. (I am not recommending taking any medicine that has not been prescribed by medical professionals)
Coping with Acute Pain
Acute pain is defined as pain with a sudden onset and lasts less than six months. It may be caused by an injury, surgery or illness such as appendicitis. It is often sharper and more severe than chronic pain.
Acute pain is considered “pain with a purpose” as it calls our attention to the sudden injury or illness. It allows us to care for ourselves in an appropriate manner.
6 ways to cope with acute pain:
- For sudden injury: Apply ice packs for ten minutes (Cover ice packs with a cloth to prevent frostbite) at a time
- Rest the injured area
- Elevate injured limbs to reduce swelling
- Take over the counter or prescribed pain medication as recommended by your doctor. Often it is helpful to take pain medicine before the pain becomes unbearable.
- Remember to take comfort in the fact that the pain will get better over time. A positive attitude helps.
- Follow doctor’s recommendation for returning healing injuries to use.
While these are simple steps for common first aid for injuries, other painful conditions such as headaches can also helped by rest, over the counter medicine and positive attitude. I have to admit that it’s not so easy for me to be positive when my head is pounding from a migraine headache. I keep trying to improve in using a positive attitude.
What About Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is any condition that causes pain to last more than six months. It can arise from chronic illness such as autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia, arthritis, burns, nerve damage and the like. Sometimes the pain is severe and unrelenting.
Other symptoms of chronic pain that must be taken into account when treating chronic pain include fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, mood changes, weakness, lack of energy and depression.
Chronic pain is complex to treat and often requires the help of medical science. Often pain medication helps but is not the only answer to coping with the pain.
Some suggestions to deal with chronic pain:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- Certain types of pain can be managed with Chiropractic care.
- When appropriate, some forms of physical therapy may be beneficial.
- Exercise programs can help, Consult your health care provider before starting a new regimen.
- Studies show low dose antidepressants are useful in chronic pain relief. They often help with sleep disorders due to pain.
- Mind body therapies such as relaxation techniques, hypnosis (guided or self hypnosis), guided imagery and biofeedback are also beneficial.
- Acupuncture alone or in conjunction with other pain management therapies can be quite effective.
- Some people swear by herbal supplements or dietary changes however, there are precautions to these techniques. I urge you to consult your healthcare team before making changes.
- Find a support group. There is power in knowing that you are not alone in your suffering.
- You may need to have a consult at a pain clinic for an in depth assessment.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Many people will develop some type of chronic pain as they age. People experience pain differently which can complicate treatment. It is my opinion that a good support system helps people maintain a healthy perspective about their pain.
I have chronic pain from nerve damage. Sometimes the pain is intense and I want to withdraw from social interactions and skip outside activities. There can be times when resting is the best medicine. However, isolation often leads to depression and can increase pain symptoms.
Indeed, I find social interaction takes my mind off the pain. It is a great way to distract my mind. I also use hobbies to engage my mind so pain is not my central focus.
Perhaps the most important key in dealing with chronic pain is acceptance. When I accept that pain is now a part of my life, my expectations change. I hope someday for a cure. However, I stop demanding a cure from God. Accepting pain acknowledges the need for treatment and allows me to be at peace. For a more in depth discussion on emotional and physical pain read: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/chronic-pain-is-physical-and-emotional-072814#
My Experience With Pain
My doctor recently gave me a trial of new medication and I am experiencing some measure of pain relief. I can say that the reduction of pain is very welcome. Gratitude helps me maintain a level of acceptance and reduces stress for me.
Reading numerous articles convinces me treating pain is a complicated process and often includes multiple strategies as what works best for one person may not be the answer for the next. If you are struggling to cope with chronic pain, I urge you to find a medical care team you trust. Be honest with yourself about what therapies help the most. Give yourself permission to rest when needed.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of accepting chronic pain is the limitations that can arise from having a condition(s) that created the pain. I attended karate class for years. The physical exercise is a great stress reliever and helps build relationships with other adults that practice the art. However, after multiple surgeries on my feet and ankles along with chronic nerve pain, I quit regular classes. I can still practice some things at home but cannot keep up with the demands of class.
However, I look for replacement activities such riding a bike or walking the dog. Anything to stay safely active in order to keep my self mobile. As I get older, the thought of losing mobility and independence scares me. Do you experience the same fears? Are there other ways that you use to cope with chronic pain? I invite you to leave your comments below.
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