The myths of chronic pain
Chronic pain affects millions of people in America. Many factors play into how we process pain and no two people experience pain the same way. There are numerous myths surrounding chronic pain since it is a complicated subject. September is Pain Awareness Month, so we thought we’d address some of those myths:
1) “If I move or exercise, I will hurt myself.”
Not true. We know that one of the best things for chronic pain is to exercise and move the body. Walking, swimming, biking, yoga, and tai chi are great exercise options for people with chronic pain. Your body wants to move, so let it! Start slowly and pay attention to how you feel. Physical and occupational therapists can help address any musculoskeletal or neurological issues preventing that movement, and fitness specialists can guide you through a custom exercise program that suits your fitness level.
2) “This one thing will fix me.”
Not true. Pain is multi-faceted, and treatment must be as well. You need to address physical, psychological, emotional, and social aspects of the pain. At Sheltering Arms, we use an interdisciplinary team of physicians, medical psychologists, physical therapists, and fitness specialists to address all aspects of human pain. All of these specialists are under one roof creating an individualized treatment plan for you.
3) “Everyone thinks I’m faking it”
Not true. Your pain is very real. We all experience it in different ways. One of the hardest things about chronic pain is that it is not a visible condition, and it ebbs and flows. Some days you may be able to go to a family picnic all day and some days it may be hard to get out of bed. Our team is here to help you. We understand that even though scans/tests may come back negative, your pain is very real and impacts your life.
4) “Everything will go back to normal.”
Not necessarily. One of the biggest challenges with chronic pain is accepting that things may be different. The goal is not to eliminate pain, but to figure out how to function with the pain. Sometimes we look to find new activities, or shorten current tasks, or break tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks. We have become accustomed to being very comfortable, and sometimes we need to change our expectations.
The treatment for your chronic pain is inside you. It can be a long journey, but you CAN improve your well-being. At Sheltering Arms, we have an interdisciplinary team of clinicians that can assist you and help you to live a full and enjoyable life. To learn more or make an appointment, call 877-56-REHAB