Ta kin g ControlOf Yo u rPa in
Did you know that research shows the more weknow aboutourpain, the less pain wet end to have? Or that our the bigge st predict or of chronic pain is the severity of your pain immediately after injury or surgery? It’s true! Thank fully, researchers, physical therapists, and physicians havedeveloped somestrategies thatyou can use to decrease your pain levels and get back to living yourlifefully.
1. Collaborate with your physician after surgery or injury to come up with a gameplan tocontrolyour pain during thefirstfew weeks afterward when yourpain is atits worst. Discuss any concerns you might have with your physician, but follow their advice fully after your concerns have been addressed.
2. Identify any stress ors in your life that might be contributing to your pain. Pain is a biochemical reaction, but it is heavily in fluenced by stress and strong emotions. Stress can come in the form of financial issues, family problems, job issues, or failed treatments. Being aware that these stress ors are increasing your pain mayallow you todealwith your stress in a healthier manner.
3. Find a physical the rapist who can help treat your chronic pain by using Therapeutic N eur os cien ce Education( T NE ), a form of therapy focusing one ducating people in pain ABOUT their pain. Evidence shows that T NE has a positive effect on pain levels, function and disability, and physical movement. TNE can be utilized before or after surgeries or acute injuries, or atanypointwhen dealing withchronicpain.
4. Stay active! While the biggest predict or of chronic pain is the level of acute pain, the biggest predict or of functioning without limitations, especially as weage,is activity! The more active you stay, the more functional you will be and the less pain you will have. Go for daily walks, get involved in Pick le Ball at your local YMCA, or try out a Silver Sneakers’ class. You’ ll be gladyoudid!
There are many other strategies forcoping with chronic pain, but most of them come down to one simple concept :“The fear ofpain is worsethan pain its elf.” (A rn tz & Peters , 1995)