We all hope that if we stick to a treatment plan that eventually our underlying health condition will resolve, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. At a minimum, we hope that treatment keeps symptoms from worsening, but sometimes it seems that no matter what we do, pain only gets worse. So what should you do if you find yourself facing a worsening chronic pain condition? That’s the focus of today’s blog.
When Chronic Pain Worsens
Every pain patient is different, so what works for one patient may not work for all. That being said, we’re confident that if you try a few of these tips, you’ll see some progress.
1. Don’t Give In – The first thing you need to do is not give in to pain. It can be easy to want to curl up in a ball and lay in bed all day, and while that may provide a modicum of short-term relief, it won’t do anything to put an end to your chronic pain on a long-term basis. It’s not easy, but you need to remain mentally, physically and emotionally strong in the face of a chronic pain condition. Mental health and physical pain expression are intertwined, so when you can’t control your physical pain, it’s important to try and stay on top of your mental health.
2. Talk To Your Doctor – If you haven’t been to a pain care specialist yet, now is the time to book an appointment and get an official diagnosis. If you already have a pain care provider, now is the time to connect with them and let them know your pain is getting worse and that your treatment isn’t working. During this appointment, it’s very important to be open and honest about your pain and your current treatment regimen. We’d rather you tell us that you haven’t been attending physical therapy instead of telling us that you have been going when you haven’t, because then we have an incomplete picture of your current treatment. Reach out to your doctor, be honest and see if changing your current treatment regimen may be in your best interest.
3. Double Down On The Good Stuff – Two aspects of your life that can typically help with your chronic pain condition that you have large control over are your diet and exercise routine. There are a lot of things you can’t control with chronic pain, but you can control what you put in your body and how much activity it gets. When everything else is going wrong, double down on these efforts. Make sure you’re getting daily exercise and plenty of healthy vitamins and nutrients from your food sources.
4. Work To Limit Stress – Outside sources of stress can actually make your physical pain worse, so work on eliminating stress in your life. Obviously this is easier said than done, but take a step back and really look at what’s causing stress and anxiety other than your pain condition. Some of these factors may be pivotal parts of your life, like your job or your family, but that just means you need to find new ways to manage these stressors. Exercise and taking time for yourself each day can help to reduce stress.
If you do all of these things, odds are you’ll be able to start successfully fighting back against your chronic pain condition. But if you want more hands-on help, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.