8 Quick Tips For Keeping Chronic Pain At Bay This Thanksgiving

November 23, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful holiday to spend with family and friends, but for many with a chronic pain condition, the holiday presents numerous challenges if they want to avoid a painful flareup. And while everyone celebrates Thanksgiving a little differently, we wanted to use today’s blog to share eight ways you can work to keep chronic pain at bay this Thanksgiving.

Below, we share some tips for managing your chronic pain condition over the Thanksgiving holiday.

8 Chronic Pain Tips For Thanksgiving

While enjoyable, Thanksgiving is oftentimes much more stressful than your average day, and stress is one of the most common chronic pain triggers. To help reduce your stress and keep other potential issues at bay, here’s a look at eight tips to keep in mind as you navigate the Thanksgiving holiday.

1. Give Yourself Plenty Of Time – While we know that sleep is important, you may find it easier to keep chronic pain at bay if you wake up a little earlier and give yourself plenty of time to get ready for the day. Starting the day stressed and behind schedule can increase your risk of a flare up.

2. Leave Early – If you have to travel a decent distance, leave a little early so that you can stop for a couple minutes to stretch if pain starts to develop. Leaving a little early can also help to reduce stress in the event that you run into traffic on your journey.

3. Mind Your Diet – The Thanksgiving meal can easily trigger a painful flareup, so be particularly mindful of what you put on your plate. Foods that are high in sugar and fat are pro-inflammatory, and inflammation can cause a chronic pain reaction.

4. Skip The Alcohol – Alcohol can also end up triggering a chronic pain response, so consider sticking to water, which will also aid in the digestive process.

5. Share Duties – If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, make sure you share duties so that you’re not trying to do everything by yourself. Have others bring a dish to pass, and seek out help cleaning up the kitchen after the big meal. Overloading yourself physically during Thanksgiving can cause problems for your chronic pain condition.

6. Keep The Conversation Light – Family members don’t always see eye to eye, and the stress levels can get ratcheted up if the conversation turns sour. You can’t always control what gets discussed at Thanksgiving, but consider removing yourself from stressful conversations if the topic turns to politics, sports or previous family issues.

7. Stay Active After The Meal – We know that it can be tempting to lay down on the couch after the Thanksgiving meal, but being sedentary will make it harder for your body to break down and digest the meal, and this can actually increase your risk of a chronic pain flareup. Make it easier on your body to digest your food by standing or walking for 15-20 minutes after the meal.

8. Good Night’s Sleep – It can be easy for our body’s sleep schedule to get a little thrown off by the Thanksgiving holiday, and healthy sleep is imperative for chronic pain patients. Work to maintain a normal sleep schedule over the next few days.

Keep these eight tips in mind over the next couple of days, and we hope that you’ll have a wonderful and pain-free holiday! For more information, or for help with a chronic pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Individualized Care Key To Treating Back Pain

November 17, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Back pain is incredibly common, as more than 90 percent of people will deal with acute or chronic back pain at some point in their life. So while back pain is common, it doesn’t mean that any old one-size-fits-all treatment will cut it. In fact, researchers actually found the opposite to be true. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the importance of connecting with a pain management specialist if you want to put an end to your back pain.

Patient-Specific Care Key For Combating Back Pain

Although general back pain is common, the underlying condition that you are dealing with is highly unique. Nobody else is experiencing exactly the same type of back pain, so we shouldn’t just assume that a singular type of treatment will work for everyone.

That theory was at the heart of a recent meta-analysis published in the Journal of Pain. For the study, researchers looked at the data from 58 randomized trails involving over 10,000 individuals suffering from chronic low back pain throughout the world. When looking closer at the data, researchers scoured to learn more about treatment techniques and whether an individual was treated with a conventional form of treatment or a more individualized care plan. In this instance, individualized meant things like personal coaching, targeted physical therapy, and professionally-guided patient care techniques.

According to the study, patients who received individualized therapy for their chronic back pain were much more likely to experience successful treatment results. The success rate for pain alleviation was 38 percent greater in the individualized group compared to conventional treatment techniques. As you might imagine, individualized attention may require more professional resources and effort, but researchers say it’s worth it.

“The higher effort required for individual treatment is worthwhile because patients benefit to an extent that is clinically important,” said lead author Dr. Johannes Fleckenstein from the Institute of Sport Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt.

Researchers took the study even one step further. They also compared treatment success when combining individualized techniques with a talk therapy technique known as cognitive behavioral therapy. By giving patients individualized attention and talking with them about personal ways to handle and cope with pain, researchers found that treatment was 84 percent more effective than conventional back pain treatment.

If you are dealing with back pain or a similar chronic pain condition, it’s imperative that you seek out a professional and get individualized advice instead of just trying some generic exercises that you find on the internet. We pride ourselves on giving each patient the time and attention they need to overcome their physical pain, and we know we can to the same for you, and the research backs up this individualized approach! For more information, or to connect with a specialist to have a conversation about your pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Will My Chronic Pain Get Worse Over Time?

November 3, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A chronic pain condition can make life uncomfortable, and oftentimes it leaves patients wondering if things will ever get better. A recent study out of Europe found that patients who had chronic pain in their forties were more likely to have chronic pain and other health issues later in life, which leads many to assume that chronic pain conditions will get worse over time.

But is that the truth? Are you really stuck with pain for the rest of your life, or is there something you can do about it? Below we explain why your chronic pain doesn’t have to get worse as time goes on.

Will My Pain Condition Improve?

As we’ve said numerous times on this blog, the following is just general advice. Chronic pain is both complex and highly individualized, so we can’t sit here and say that your condition will certainly get better or get worse depending on the treatment route you pursue. That being said, many patients don’t realize how much control they have when it comes to managing their chronic pain condition on a long-term basis. While chronic pain can oftentimes feel out of control, there are steps you can take each day to help you find more control over your condition down the road.

So we’ll start by saying that chronic pain is typically a health issue that will continue to worsen as you get older if you do nothing to treat the problem. While sometimes rest or activity avoidance can help you overcome small issues like a muscle strain or a headache, you’re not going to be able to do nothing and watch your chronic pain condition disappear. Chronic pain suggests that there is an underlying issue, and if you keep doing the same things that led to your condition in the first place, things won’t get better, and oftentimes they will only get worse.

That said, the opposite is also typically true, and that’s wonderful news for chronic pain sufferers. Targeted active treatments can oftentimes alleviate symptoms, calm inflammation, slow natural degeneration and improve your overall physical function. It’s not always easy, and you’re not always going to enjoy doing your physical therapy exercises or watching what foods and drinks you put in your body, but it’s these little daily wins that will make you stronger in the long run.

Another way to greatly improve your likelihood of overcoming your chronic pain condition is to connect with a specialist who can give you the individualized attention and advice that you’d benefit from. Chronic pain can be a very isolating health condition, and that can lead a person to withdraw from their friends, family and even their healthcare professionals. You need to know that you are not a burden and there are plenty of people out there who want to see you overcome your chronic pain issue. We rely on professionals for a number of different aspects of life, whether that’s to change a faulty piston on our vehicle or to install a new garage door, so don’t feel like you need to take on your complex medical challenges by yourself. Connect with a specialist and let them put their expertise to work for you.

And finally, many patients find it helpful if they acknowledge the fact that recovery is going to take some work. You’re not going to be able to take a magic pill or lay in bed for two weeks and all of a sudden you’re feel better. You’re going to have to put in the work with active interventions, like daily exercise, regular physical therapy, posture improvements, weight loss and more. As we mentioned above, it won’t always be fun, but working towards these goals is way more fun than living each day with chronic pain.

Know that your pain doesn’t have to remain consistent or worsen as you get older. You have a say in your chronic pain story, and we’re here to help in any way we can. For more information, or to get started on your journey to become free from chronic pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

How Effective Are Nerve Blocks For Chronic Pain?

September 7, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

When a nerve is misfiring or being regularly irritated, it can end up causing chronic pain. When this happens, you need to sync up with a chronic pain specialist and figure out the best method for treatment. For some patients who have failed to find success through other conservative means, a nerve block could prove to be a very effective treatment.

In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how nerve blocks can be used in a comprehensive pain treatment plan.

What Is A Nerve Block?

A nerve block, as the name implies, is a type of treatment that helps to block out a painful nerve signal. You may be more familiar with nerve blocks than you think, as an epidural injection that a pregnant woman may receive during labor is likely the most commonly known type of nerve block.

In order to administer a nerve block, your pain management specialist will need a few different tools, including a needle and some specific guidance technology. A fluoroscope, ultrasound or CT scan can help to ensure that the needle is positioned perfectly in order to administer the solution to the problematic area. Once in position, the doctor will inject a solution that typically includes pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drugs to help calm the irritated nerve.

Some conditions that may be managed with nerve blocks include:

Chronic pain
Arthritis
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Post-Surgical Pain
Headaches
Sciatica/Back Pain

Are Nerve Blocks Effective?

Yes and no. Nerve blocks are typically extremely effective at treating nerve pain in the short-term. Most patients feel much better before they leave the clinic, but these nerve blocks aren’t really considered a stand-alone, long-term option. Eventually the drugs will wear off, so it’s very important that you use this time to take some positive steps to help control your condition.

For example, if physical therapy or exercise is too challenging or painful prior to the nerve block, make sure you pursue these options if the nerve block makes movement more comfortable. We always say that nerve blocks should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Used in combination with other treatments like physical therapy, stretching, exercise, mindfulness, dietary adjustments and weight loss, you can certainly help to take back control from your chronic condition. The nerve block won’t do it alone, but it can help to make other treatments more effective, which is its real benefit.

So if you are interested in learning more about nerve blocks, or you’re wondering if a nerve block could help you better pursue other active treatments for your current health condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have or develop an individualized care plan for your needs. For more information, give our team a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Five Things Untreated Chronic Pain Can Do To A Person

September 2, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain certainly isn’t fun to live with, but some people think that if they can grit their teeth and bear it, that’s the worst they’ll have to deal with. Unfortunately, chronic pain can impact us in other ways that aren’t so obvious, and it can lead to a number of other problems if the pain condition isn’t carefully treated. In today’s blog, we explore some of the ways that untreated chronic pain can affect a person.

How Untreated Chronic Pain Can Affect A Person

There are countless ways that untreated chronic pain can affect a person, but here’s a look at five major issues that can develop if you don’t confront your condition head on:

1. Depression – Chronic pain and depression have been closely linked. Pain can have a significant impact on the brain, and if it goes on long enough, it can actually lead to depression and depressive symptoms. It can also be hard to recognize depression when you’re simultaneously dealing with an unresolved pain condition. These two conditions can be cyclical in nature, and it can be hard to break free from the cycle.

2. Anxiety – Untreated chronic pain can also leave you feeling more anxious. If you’re constantly worried about whether you’ll have a flareup or if chronic pain is going to force you to cancel plans, you can begin to develop anxiety. Eventually, even though anxiety is rooted in your chronic pain condition, it can spill over into all aspects of your life and compound the problem. Fortunately, targeting the chronic pain condition oftentimes helps to resolve these feelings of anxiousness.

3. Heightened Pain Perception – Some people think that ignoring chronic pain sensations can help them build a greater pain tolerance, but oftentimes you’re actually training your brain to do the opposite. If your brain is constantly interpreting pain signals, and you’re not doing anything to help calm these signals, your brain can become hyper-aware of these nerve sensations and either become oversensitive to pain signals or start misinterpreting nerve relays as pain signals. You may actually become more sensitive to pain signals by trying to ignore them.

4. Stress – You may also find yourself more easily stressed when living with untreated chronic pain. Every activity becomes more stressful when you’re attempting to do it while in pain. Work becomes more stressful. Family life becomes more stressful. Even activities that are supposed to be enjoyable become more stressful when pain is present.

5. Irritable – Finally, you may not notice it, but your friends and family members may have noticed that you seem to have become more irritable as a result of your untreated chronic pain condition. Again, pain can have a severe impact on our mental health, and we may not even realize it’s happening. If you notice that you’re becoming quicker to anger or you’re more irritable, know that it’s not just because you’re getting older, it’s because you’re dealing with untreated chronic pain.

The good news is that by treating chronic pain, you can work to address all of the issues listed above. If you want to take the first step in overcoming your chronic pain condition and any side effects it’s causing, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.