Ta kin g Control Of Your Pain
Did you know that research shows the more weknow about our pain, 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 have developed some strategies that you can use to decrease your pain levels and get back to living your life fully.
1. Collaborate with your physician after surgery or injury to come up with a game plan to control your pain during the first few weeks afterward when your pain 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 may allow you to deal with 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 on educating 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 at any point when dealing with chronic pain.
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 glad you did!
There are many other strategies for coping with chronic pain, but most of them come down to one simple concept :“The fear of pain is worse than pain its elf.” (A rn tz & Peters , 1995)