Chronic pain is one of the most frustrating conditions....
Doctors and other health care professionals are used to thinking about a symptom as something presented by a specific disease process that can be diagnosed by a specific test and treated by a specific treatment.
Chronic pain does not follow those rules.
Often there is no single specific cause to explain chronic pain. Even the most sophisticated tests are often unable to pinpoint a specific cause.
Non-physical factors, often not considered by doctors- including surgeons- such as stress, interpersonal interactions, anxiety, work situations and so forth, play a significant role in the severity and persistence of chronic pain.
Many doctors are recognizing that chronic pain can best be treated by a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals, rather than a single physician.
If you are in chronic pain, consult with a physician who specializes in chronic pain about various treatment options.
Chronic pain is a very difficult problem with which to cope. It is caused by factors such as scarring, nerve irritation and so forth, that cannot be cured.
Do not expect to be “cured” or completely pain free. What you can expect is to be able to cope with and manage the pain at a tolerable level and to be able to have a meaningful life in spite of having some pain.
You probably want to be able to go back to a productive life without strong pain medications that interfere with functioning. This life may look different than your life prior to pain, but you can expect it to still be productive and meaningful.
Effective interventions depend on the motivation, cooperation and efforts of everyone involved – the patient, the patient’s significant other and the support system.
Once pain is being managed, be sure to follow the recommendations of your medical team regarding what to do at home to continue to enjoy reduced levels of pain.
A few simple exercises and relaxation techniques practiced faithfully every day can produce long-lasting results and end the cycle of stress, frustration and pain.
Excerpted and adapted from:
Medical Factors: Surgical Procedures
Posted on March 1, 2014 by Psychological Health Services, LLC
-Dr. Jeni Heinemann, psychologist
Link: /http://psychhealthblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/psychological-coping-for-chronic-pain-medical-factors-surgical-procedures/
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