Don’t Be Ashamed Of Your Chronic Pain

July 29, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

There are a lot of emotions that can develop as a result of dealing with a chronic pain condition. There’s sadness, frustration, anger and loneliness to name a few. Eventually we’ll have a blog on how to deal with all of these emotions, but today, we want to touch on another emotion that sometimes develops in chronic pain patients, and that’s shame.

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of the blog, let us just say this – you should never be ashamed of yourself because of your chronic pain condition. It’s not uncommon for patients to feel a sense of shame, but know that these feelings don’t reflect accurately on yourself. You don’t have to be ashamed for something you can’t control, so don’t be.

Obviously that’s easier said than done, but in today’s blog, we want to dive into some of the reasons why patients may feel ashamed of their chronic pain condition, and what you can do to help free yourself from these feelings.

Avoiding The Shame Of Chronic Pain

Shame can develop for a number of different reasons for those individuals battling a chronic pain condition. They may be ashamed that they can’t do as much physical activity as others, they may be ashamed about cancelling at the last minute because of a flareup, or they may be ashamed about how others perceive them. We understand those feelings, but know that you should not feel ashamed for those reasons.

In our experience, the only reason you should feel genuine shame over your condition is if you are cheating yourself out of the best treatment outcomes. If you’re skipping physical therapy appointments because you don’t want to put in the work, or you ignore your doctor’s instructions, then we understand why you might feel ashamed. The good news about this type of shame is that it starts and ends with you. You control your commitment to your treatment plan, so all you have to do to rid yourself of these feelings is dive head first into your doctor’s recommendations.

But how can you rid yourself of the other reasons for the feelings of shame? Those reasons you can’t control, like missing a movie night because of a flare up or the fear of being viewed as someone with a low pain tolerance by your friends? To do this, we need to begin by changing our mindset. Instead of focusing on how we think others are thinking of us, we need to turn are attention inwards. Because if you are satisfied with what you are doing to control your pain, you’ll often notice these feelings of shame will disappear.

So how can we self reflect on our handling of chronic pain to reduce these feelings of shame? Again, it goes back to what we said above about controlling what you can control. You need to realize what is out of your control, what you can control, and how to manage the controllable aspects of your life. You can’t control whether or not you’re going to have a good day or a bad day, but you can increase your likelihood of having more good days than bad by doing your therapy exercises, increasing your understanding of your condition, reaching out to your doctor if you have questions or concerns, setting attainable goals and recognizing achievements, no matter how small. These controllable aspects add up, and when you make positive strides in all these areas, you’ll find that you are doing everything you can to regain control of your physical health, and once you’ve achieved that, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

So it doesn’t matter what your mother in law or your coworkers think. If you can say “yes, I’m doing everything I can to take control over my chronic pain condition,” even if it’s not working the way you hoped, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you should be proud. It takes a lot of guts to fight back against a chronic pain condition, so you should be commended, not shamed.

If you’re still finding it difficult to deal with some of the feelings associated with your chronic pain condition, let us help you take back control and develop a care plan that suits your needs. For more information, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How A Positive Attitude Can Affect Chronic Pain Treatment

July 21, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

When it comes to treating chronic pain patients, we always hope to find patients who are willing to put in the work and have a positive attitude about working towards a solution. And according to a new study out of Boston Medical University, those patients with positive attitudes may actually have a better chance of experiencing positive results from treatment.

For the study, researchers at BMU tracked the progress of nearly 300 individuals who had been diagnosed with chronic low back pain. Individuals were either placed in a therapy group, where they received 12 weeks of physical therapy or yoga, or they were placed in self-care group which involved being given a handbook on self-management strategies for their pain. Not surprisingly, the individuals who pursued active treatment strategies like yoga or physical therapy were more likely to see a decrease in back pain and an increase in function compared to the self care group (42% vs. 23%, respectively).

Looking Forward To Exercise

However, likely the most interesting finding from the study was uncovered when researchers looked into patient motivations. Researchers also tracked a patient’s desire to complete their specific treatment course, and they found that those who looked forward to exercise, or at a minimum, did not fear the activity, generally had a much higher physical response to the treatment.

Of those with less fear of exercise, 53 percent of those in the yoga group had pain decreases and function increases, 42 percent in the physical therapy group responded the same, as did 13 percent in the self care group. Researchers uncovered that regardless of what group they were placed in, those individuals who had a fear of exercise typically had a poor response to pain and function changes.

We understand that exercise or your physical therapy routine may not be something that you look forward to with anticipation, but at the same time, if you generally dislike the activity or are afraid of giving it your all, it can actually have negative effects on your recovery.

It’s obviously easier said than done to change your attitude about therapy, especially when you’re dealing with a chronic condition, but know that your attitude plays a bigger role in your outcomes than you may expect. Focus on your goals and what you hope to gain by working towards a recovery instead of focusing on the discomfort caused by your pain condition. Focusing on your goals instead of your pain can make it easier for you to attack the day and have a positive mindset about your treatment, and that can help you make success a reality!

So if you are struggling to find the motivation or desire to follow through on a chronic pain treatment plan, or if you feel lost and in need of professional guidance, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his experienced medical team today for more information and assistance.

If You Have Chronic Pain, Don’t Wait In Silence

July 16, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A recent study commissioned by one of the nation’s largest providers of physical therapy services found that roughly one in four people with a chronic pain condition aren’t seeking professional assistance to treat their pain. Whether they are doing this because they hope the pain will go away on its own or they don’t want to go through the hassle of seeing a physician, this can be problematic for a number of reasons. Below, we explain why you shouldn’t put off a visit with a doctor if you have a chronic pain condition.

Why You Need Professional Help For Chronic Pain

Unlike acute pain, which occurs after a moment of injury, chronic pain isn’t likely to go away on its own. A stubbed toe is an example of acute pain that often resolves after a few hours or days without intervention, but chronic conditions like bulging disc pain, fibromyalgia-related pain or osteoarthritis issues aren’t likely to get miraculously better on their own. That’s why you need to see a specialist, but the data shows that chronic pain sufferers aren’t flocking to physicians in droves.

Some of the data from the recent study found that:

Only 76 percent of chronic pain sufferers have sought professional help for chronic pain.
Roughly 60 percent of patients seek profressional help if they’ve been dealing with chronic pain for at least a week or longer.
51 percent of Americans say pain needs to reach a “7” on a scale of 1-10 before their seek help for chronic back, neck or knee pain.

So while it’s clear that a number of chronic pain patients aren’t getting the professional help they need to manage their pain, the biggest point we want to convey in this blog is why this is so problematic. Delaying treatment and suffering in silence with a chronic pain problem is an issue because:

It’ll Get Worse – As we mentioned above, it’s rare for a chronic pain condition to resolve on its own. In fact, far more often the condition ends up getting worse without intervention, leading to increased pain and discomfort.

Treatment Success Likelihood – While it may not be as severe as a condition like cancer, chronic pain is a lot like the cancer in that the sooner treatment begins, the higher the likelihood it will prove successful. Putting off professional intervention will only reduce your long-term treatment success.

Opioid Reliance – When people are reluctant to head to a doctor for active treatment options, they may fall back on passive short-term fixes, like painkillers. They may provide some short-term relief, but research has shown that along with potential problems like dependence and overdose, over-reliance on pain medications can reduce your body’s ability to manage pain on its own and it can increase a person’s sensitivity to pain.

Solutions Are Closer Than You Think – The final reason and the reason that breaks our heart the most is that many people don’t head to a professional because they think pain is just something that they’ll have to live with for the rest of their life. Even if we can’t cure your pain, we’ll do everything in our power to help reduce your pain and get you to a point where you’re having more good days than bad. Oftentimes treatment is simpler than you may imagine, so don’t cheat yourself out of an improved quality of life because you mistakenly believe your pain not treatable.

For more information, or for help with your pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How To Parent A Child With Chronic Pain

July 7, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

As a parent, you want to shield your child from pain, which is why watching them deal with a chronic health condition can be so difficult to stomach. You want to remove their pain and the burden it is placing on them, and there are some steps you can take to help increase your likelihood of successfully treating their condition. Below, we share some tips for parents who want to help their child overcome a chronic pain condition.

Parenting A Child In Chronic Pain

There is no perfect playbook for parenting a child with a chronic pain condition, but there are some ways to help improve your child’s odds of overcoming their condition or helping reduce their symptoms. Those steps include:

Professional Help – Finding a professional who is willing to work hard to uncover the true source of pain is a must for any parent of a child with a chronic pain condition. If the doctor is treating the symptoms or the wrong underlying issue, your child will not find relief. Find a doctor who is invested in your child’s health. It may take a few visits to different clinics (or just one call to Dr. Cohn’s office), but don’t stop until you find someone who is willing to go the extra mile for you and your child.

Focus On The Positives – It can be easier for both parent and child to focus their attention on the negatives of a health condition. They may dwell on the fact that pain forced them to miss school, or that playing sports is too uncomfortable. Instead of focusing on what pain may be taking away from you, try to focus on the positives as it pertains to treatment. Focus on all the things you’ll be able to do again if you work hard to get control over your condition. Think about what they have to gain from treatments like physical therapy or exercise, and really try to motivate your child to follow through on their daily treatment regimen.

Give Them Independence – A chronic pain condition can rob a person of some of their independence, and this can be especially hard for kids and teens who are growing into their own person. We know that you want to help them when things get tough, but it’s imperative that you let them do things on their own, even if it’s harder for them. They’ll be better off trying and failing and learning to succeed on their own than having you do things for them because of their pain condition. Obviously there are times when assistance is needed, but you’ll both be better off if you keep their independence in mind.

Not Just A Physical Problem – Whether you’re young or old, you need to realize that a chronic pain condition may be causing physical symptoms, but it’s not just a physical issue. A chronic pain condition can have serious implications for your mental health, and these issues can be amplified in young and impressionable minds. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about mental health resources or if talking to a therapist could be beneficial. Make sure you monitor your child’s mental health just as much as you monitor their physical health.

Listen – Finally, make sure that you do just as much listening as you do talking when it comes to helping your child with their pain condition. Sometimes all they need is a person to vent to, or maybe they want to open about about what’s bothering them. Instead of trying to jump in and provide solutions, just listen. You’ll be amazed at how helpful you can be when you don’t say anything.

For more tips, or for help with your child’s chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Self Management Tips For Chronic Back Pain

July 1, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic back pain is one of the most common conditions that affects Americans over the age of 40. Because it is so common, many people often try to push through the pain and keep on living their daily life. While this is admirable, it may not be your best move, and it can actually lead to worse pain. However, if you are proactive and deliberate in how you care for your spine, you can help treat these types of pain and get back to a pain-free way of living. We share those tips in today’s blog.

Managing Back Pain On Your Own

There’s no perfect playbook for managing chronic back pain on your own, but here are some helpful tips to start you off on the right foot.

Get A Diagnosis – Now, this may go against your idea of managing your back pain “on your own,” but getting a diagnosis can play a key role in helping you self-manage your pain. If you don’t know what you’re dealing with, it can be hard to follow the right self-care management techniques. The vast majority of spine specialists will recommend conservative care before moving towards surgical intervention, so one appointment can lead to a comprehensive conservative care plan. Knowing what you’re dealing with and how to best treat your pain leads to higher treatment success rates.

Exercise – This may seem like it goes against conventional wisdom, but exercise or physical therapy can help strengthen weakened spinal areas and resolve inflammation that could be leading to pain. Your first instinct may be to rest, but after 24-48 hours, controlled activity often proves more helpful than extended rest. Again, this depends on your root cause of pain, which speaks to the importance of getting a clear diagnosis.

Don’t Over Rely On Painkillers – Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain, but they don’t always target the underlying cause of discomfort. Simply relying on rest and painkillers to fix the issue will often leave you unsatisfied and still in pain. Use these medications to pursue more active treatments if pain is making things like therapy or exercise unbearable.

Don’t Overdo It – Your spine is with you for the long haul, so be sure to prioritize your long term health over your short term physical desires. Athletes, for example, are notorious for trying to rush back from injury before they are truly ready. The same can be said for many older adults who work manual labor. Listen to your body and realize that missing a game or a couple days of work is worth it to help it heal instead of overstressing it while it’s injured. Manage these issues before they snowball because you tried to power through them.

Food And Water – A healthy diet can also go a long way in helping provide back pain relief. A diet rich in key vitamins and nutrients can help strengthen your spine, and staying hydrated will ensure healthy blood flow to key spine structures. A good diet can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which will limit excess stress and strain on your spine.

Mind Your Mental Health – Finally chronic pain back can be just as much of a mental battle as it is physical, so don’t ignore your mental health. Make sure you are doing things that benefit your mental health, like exercising, reading, socializing and getting a good night’s sleep!

For help managing your chronic spine pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today!