Empathy Can Help Reduce Chronic Pain Sensations

July 20, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

empathy We always recommend that you surround yourself with a support system that is empathetic to your chronic pain condition, but new research shows that empathy can actually help to decrease pain sensations.

According to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that patients exposed to empathetic remarks from a physician experienced decreased levels of pain compared to a control group when exposed to the same stimuli.

For the study, researchers used a functional MRI to scan the brains of 20 patients living with chronic pain. During the scans, patients were exposed to stimuli on their legs that ranged from painless to moderately painful, and patients recorded their perceived pain intensity using a standard pain scale. 10 of the patients were subjected to the painful stimuli while alone, while the other 10 were exposed to the stimuli while in the presence of a physician. Of the 10 that were exposed while with a physician, half of those patients had spoke to the physician before the evaluation, while the other five had not had any prior interaction with the physician in the room.

Empathy And Chronic Pain Intensity

After looking at the responses, researchers found some interesting data points. According to the study:

Patients who were alone during the testing reported greater pain sensations than those who were in the presence of a physician.

Patients who had already spoken with the physician in the room felt that the physician was empathetic and understood their pain, and physicians were better able to estimate the pain their patients experienced.

During the functional MRI, researchers noted that there was greater activity in certain areas of the brain that react to pain in the patients who had previous spoken to a physician. They believe this brain activity shows the real-world impact of having an empathetic doctor in your corner when dealing with chronic pain.

While there will certainly be more studies on how empathy and other traits can impact the chronic pain experience, this study highlights how chronic pain can be harder to overcome if you believe you are battling the issue by yourself. Chronic pain is certainly an individualized and oftentimes isolating experience, but you need to surround yourself with friends, family and physicians who believe you and want to help your condition improve.

Now more than ever, it is important to empathize with our patients and show them that we care, and that can be difficult when physicians are tasked with seeing as many patients as possible each day. In order to empathize with the patient and show them that you really care, you need to give them the time of day they deserve, and many hospitals would be smart to remember that the quality of care is much more important than the quantity of care. We always strive to empathize with out patients because we know first hand just how debilitating and frustrating a chronic pain condition can be.

So if you feel like just another patient to your care provider, look elsewhere for care. Dr. Cohn will give you the time and attention you deserve, and you may notice that this attention has positive implications for your chronic pain condition. For more information, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Cohn, give his office a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Where In The Body Is Chronic Pain Most Likely To Develop?

July 13, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain affects tens of millions of Americans every day, and while everyone is going through their own individual battle, many of them are dealing with discomfort in similar locations. But what are some of the most common locations for chronic pain to develop, and why are these the most popular spots? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five of the most common locations in your body for a chronic pain issue to develop.

Common Chronic Pain Sites

Here’s a look at some of the more common areas of the body that can be affected by a chronic pain condition.

1. Lower Back – The back is likely the most common area of the body for chronic pain to develop, and with good reason. We put a lot of stress on our spines each day, and the system is incredibly complex, with vertebrae, discs and nerves working in close proximity to one another. If acute trauma or natural degeneration causes a vertebra or disc to damage one of the many spinal nerves in the area, chronic pain can develop. Within the spine, the lower back is the most common area for chronic pain because your lumbar spine handles the most stress when you’re bending or sitting.

2. Neck – On the other side of your spine is your neck, and it’s another incredibly common location for chronic pain to develop, especially given the rather recent rise in smartphone adoption. If you’re craning your neck forward to look at your work computer or you’re slouched on the couch scrolling on your phone, your neck is being overstressed from the weight of your head while you’re out of a healthy alignment. Similar to your lower back, there are a number of nerves and soft tissues in the neck region that can become damaged by acute injury or chronic stress, making this area a common spot for pain to develop.

3. Knees – Knee pain is all too common in today’s society, and chronic knee pain can make every step uncomfortable. Because our knees bear a lot of stress when we walk, the protective cartilage that aids in fluid joint movement can break down, leading to bone on bone contact and discomfort. Cartilage degeneration is more common if you are overweight or obese, as this greatly increases the amount of strain on your knees. Obesity numbers in America are growing, so it should come as no surprise that cases or chronic knee pain are also rising.

4. Head – Chronic headaches and migraines are another subject that we cover pretty regularly on our blog, as we’re always trying to help patients put an end to debilitating headaches. Sometimes these headaches are caused by muscle tension from overstress or acute injury to neck and shoulder muscles, while other times a nerve problem is triggering migraine headaches. We can help to relax muscles and stimulate your vagus nerve to help you find a treatment that works for you specific type of headaches.

5. Muscle Pain – Finally, it’s also common for patients to deal with widespread pain in their muscles. This condition is oftentimes referred to as fibromyalgia, and it can lead to chronic pain and tenderness in different muscle groups throughout the body. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for combating fibromyalgia related pain, but many patients find that they can better control symptoms by connecting with a pain management specialist and improving certain lifestyle factors, like exercise, diet and sleep habits.

If you’re dealing chronic pain in one of these locations, or you just want to talk to a pain specialist about discomfort you’re experiencing, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Four People To Lean On If You Have Chronic Pain

July 6, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain is both incredibly complex and unique, and this can leave the individual feeling very isolated from the world. Nobody else in the world knows exactly what you’re going through, but that doesn’t mean you have to go through treatment all alone.

But where can you turn if you’re feeling isolated and alone due to your chronic pain condition? In today’s blog, we take a look at four groups of people you can lean on if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your chronic pain condition.

Lean On Me

Every person’s situation is unique, so it may not be easy to lean on all of these groups, but odds are that you can find at least one ally if you lean on some of the resources in the below list.

1. A Doctor – As we mentioned above, nobody knows exactly what you’re going through, but a doctor will understand more than most. However, knowledge and understanding aren’t the only qualities that you’ll want to look for in a supportive doctor. Not all pain specialists are the same, and you need to find one that really takes the time to get to know you and your condition. If your doctor doesn’t give you the time of day and simply writes a prescription for a painkiller, they aren’t the best fit for your situation. It may take a little time, but if you can find a doctor who really cares about you and is willing to work to help you find a solution, they will be an invaluable ally.

2. Friends – Hopefully you have a couple friends that you can lean on when things are tough. Unlike a doctor, you don’t need your friends to really understand what’s going on with your chronic pain condition, you just need them to believe you and be there for you. Some friends are great at this, others not so much, so surround yourself by people who care and empathize with your situation. Bonus points if these friends help to push you out of your comfort zone for the sake of helping you overcome your pain condition. Find a friend who likes to go for walks or who is willing to be physically active with you, as exercise and movement will help with your pain control.

3. Family – Family can be a bit of a touchy subject for some people, especially if you family has been less than supportive in your battle with chronic pain, but if you can find family members who care, they can be a great resource. Even if they are just someone who you can call up and vent to for 15 minutes a couple times a month, having someone to talk to can be incredibly helpful for your mental health.

4. Online Support Group – Finally, if you want to connect with people in a similar situation, search online for support groups. Odds are you can find online communities for people battling the same condition, and it can be extremely helpful to talk to others who have gone through similar treatment or encountered similar obstacles. Before you get in too deep with an online support group, we recommend that you read our previous blog on the benefits and drawbacks of these online support groups so that you know what you’re getting into.

If you’d like to connect with a doctor who will be an ally and a helpful resource for you, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Tips For Managing Chronic Pain At The Lake

June 29, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The Fourth of July is only a few days away, and that means many people will soon be celebrating the holiday near one of Minnesota’s more than 10,000 lakes. Spending time by the water can be a great way to enjoy summer, but the lake can also cause issues if you’re dealing with an underlying chronic pain condition. We don’t want a chronic pain condition to cause problems for your Fourth of July holiday, so in today’s blog, we’re going to share some tips for managing your chronic pain condition if you’ll be on the lake this weekend.

Managing Chronic Pain On The Lake

Chronic pain is highly individualized, so there’s no guarantee that the following tips will be appropriate for your situation. That said, if you keep these tips in mind and are proactive in your approach, we’re confident that you’ll be able to keep your pain condition for causing problems at the lake.

1. Stay Hydrated – Dehydration can make movements harder for our muscles or joints, which can trigger an underlying pain condition. It’s easier to become dehydrated during the hot summer months, so always be sure to have drinkable water nearby. Also be sure to mix in plenty of water if you’re consuming alcoholic beverages, as alcohol can make it easier to become dehydrated.

2. Find The Shade – Overheating can also make a chronic pain condition more uncomfortable, so dress for the weather and find a shady spot to set up camp when you’re outside. Your body needs to appropriately regular its temperature, so stick to the shade, jump in the lake or head back into the air conditioning for a little bit if you’re starting to get hot and achy.

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Head Inside For A Bit – We understand that you want to be outside when the weather is nice, but the hot weather and the air pollutants from the Canadian wildfires can cause problems for sensitive groups. If your allergies are kicking up or you just feel like the hot weather is getting to you, don’t be afraid to head to an air conditioned room for a bit to help your body relax.

4. Get Healthy Sleep – You may want to stay up until nightfall to catch a fireworks show, but make sure that you get plenty of healthy, restful sleep. Regular sleep is essential for helping keep chronic pain at bay, and holiday weekends can throw off your sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each night, even over the 4th of July holiday stretch.

5. Use Sunscreen – Use plenty of sunscreen throughout the summer, because sunburn can make life a lot more uncomfortable, especially if this sensitivity triggers a flareup. Patients with CRPS and other conditions that can be triggered by skin irritation would be wise to be extra mindful about preventing sunburn.

6. Stay Active – Staying active can help improve your circulation and keep muscles functioning as they should. We know that you may want to kick back and relax over the Fourth, but don’t spend too much time sitting in a lawn chair by the lake. Still find time to exercise or at least be upright and active, and you can help to keep chronic pain symptoms at bay.

We hope that you have a wonderful time celebrating the Fourth of July, and we know that you can keep chronic pain at bay by staying hydrated, getting healthy sleep and begin cognizant of the sun and heat! For help with an individual chronic pain issue, or for answers to any questions you have, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Five Hidden Causes Of Chronic Back Pain

June 22, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Back pain is incredibly common, but as we’ve said on the blog numerous times in the past, this doesn’t mean that back pain is normal. If you’re dealing with back pain, it’s imperative that you work to figure out the underlying cause so that treatment can begin. If you recently fell and injured your back, it will be easier to pinpoint your source of pain, but if back pain seems to develop out of nowhere, it may be harder to figure out what’s causing your discomfort.

In these situations, we need to look closer at some of the hidden causes of chronic back pain. In today’s blog, we explore five hidden causes of chronic back pain.

Common Hidden Causes Of Chronic Spine Pain

If you’re dealing with back pain that ebbs and flows or seems to spring up out of nowhere, you’ll want to take a closer look at your life to see if any of these hidden factors could be contributing to your discomfort.

1. Posture – One of the leading causes of mild to moderate back pain is poor posture. We oftentimes don’t pay much attention to our spine’s alignment when we’re seated or standing, but if we’re slouched or hunched forward, certain parts of our spine have to handle a lot more stress. Over the years, the effects of this stress can catch up to you and lead to intermittent back pain. Conduct regular posture checks to improve your spine positioning so that your lumbar and cervical spinal areas aren’t at risk for chronic pain that can accompany certain degenerative conditions.

2. Food Choices – Food choices can also contribute to or help alleviate back pain. Unhealthy sugary options or carbohydrate dense foods are pro-inflammatory and can contribute to back pain flare ups if inflammation ends up compressing key spinal structures. Examine your food choices in the wake of a flareup and see if you being to notice a pattern between what you eat and how your body responds to these foods.

3. Stress – Mental and emotional stress can also lead to physical symptoms, and oftentimes it can manifest in the form of chronic back pain. Mental stress can cause muscles to tense and force them to work harder for normal movements, which can eventually contribute to regional pain. Find healthy ways to manage stress so that it doesn’t take a physical toll on you. Exercise and breathing techniques are great ways to manage stress when it enters your life.

4. Lack Of Nutrients – Another way that food choices can lead to chronic back pain is if we don’t get enough of certain foods in our diet. It’s not enough to simply choose healthy options, you also need to eat a variety of foods so that you get the right mix of vitamins and minerals in your diet. For example, Vitamin D and calcium deficiency are two common disorders that can lead to bone problems that can turn into a chronic pain issue. Make sure you are getting a healthy amount of nutrients from different food sources.

5. Lack Of Exercise – Finally, exercise helps to keep our body healthy in a number of ways, but it also helps to prevent chronic pain by making key muscles and joints stronger. The stronger these structures are, the more stress they will be able to handle without breaking down. Weaker tissues cannot adequately support the spinal complex, which can lead to posture problems and chronic pain. If you want to fight back against chronic back pain, work to gradually increase your exercise levels with low-impact exercises like walking, cycling or swimming!

For more tips on how you can work to control chronic back pain, or to connect with a specialist who can help you overcome your spine discomfort, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.