How To Overcome The Invisible Battles Of Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

invisible injuriesIf you slip and fall on the ice and break your ankle, it’s pretty obvious that you are working to overcome an injury when your friends and coworkers see you hobbling around on a cast or crutches the next day. We tend to have a lot more empathy for those dealing with obvious and visible injuries than for those who consistently fight “invisible” battles against conditions like chronic pain, fibromyalgia or migraines.

But why are we so less empathetic to those fighting invisible battles, and what can you do to win these battles if you’re constantly dealing with the fallout of an invisible condition? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.

Why Invisible Battles Can Be So Hard To Fight

A chronic pain condition can be hard enough to overcome without all the other problems it can beckon as a result of being an invisible battle. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why winning these invisible battle can be extra challenging:

1. Unpredictability – If you break your ankle, you know you’re going to be in a cast for a while before gradually putting more pressure on the foot as you work back towards a return to normal activities. It’s pretty easy to chart your expected treatment and recovery plan for that type of injury. The same cannot be said for a condition like chronic pain, which is oftentimes unpredictable and difficult to treat. There’s no standard playbook for treating chronic pain, and the condition can flare up at a moment’s notice, and this unpredictable nature can be another added stress.

2. Lack Of Empathy From Others – We touched on this in the intro, but many patients find that they don’t receive the same amount of empathy from others as a result of the invisible nature of their condition. It can be easy to empathize with an obvious physical injury, but it’s not always easy to empathize with someone who looks completely fine on the outside, even if they are dealing with a major issue on the inside.

3. Impact On Relationships – Invisible injuries can also put a strain on your interpersonal relationships. The unpredictable nature of your condition can lead to cancelled plans and isolation, stressing your relationships with others.

4. Takes A Toll On Your Mental Health – Studies have found that patients with a chronic pain condition are more likely to also deal with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. These mental health issues can have real-world implications for your physical health as well, especially if they make it hard to live an active and social life.

Winning Invisible Battles

It’s easy to see why these invisible battles can be extra burdensome, but how can we break through and start winning these battles? While every patient and condition is different, some of the more common treatments and lifestyle changes that can prove helpful include:

Of course, one of the best ways to overcome your individual chronic pain challenge is by connecting with an interventional pain management specialist who can take a closer look at your pain problem in person and develop a personalized treatment program. Your specialist can develop a treatment plan catered to your specific needs and adjust things as needed after you make progress or notice a setback. It won’t always be easy, but it can be one of the most effective ways to start winning more of these invisible battles.

For more information about chronic pain problems, or to connect with a pain management specialist in the greater Twin Cities area, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.