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.

How To Prevent Chronic Pain After A Joint Replacement Procedure

June 16, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A joint replacement procedure can help you get back to moving without pain and significantly improve your quality of life, but these improvements won’t happen by accident. Joint replacement is a major trauma on your body, and if you don’t work hard to help your body heal following the operation, discomfort and even pain can linger. Nobody wants to undergo a joint replacement procedure only to be left with chronic pain, so you need to be proactive during your recovery.

Below, we take a closer look at how you can work to prevent chronic pain after a joint replacement procedure.

Preventing Pain After Joint Replacement Surgery

It doesn’t matter if you go to the best joint replacement surgeon in the world; if you expect to lay in bed for months and make a full recovery, odds are you’ll be left with discomfort or chronic pain. So what should you be doing during your recovery? While your specific course of treatment will be put in place by your treating surgeon, they will likely recommend some of the following techniques.

1. Early Movement – As we just mentioned above, you’re going to want to follow the care plan put in place by your treating physician, but many joint replacement procedures see the patient perform some early movement exercises. These will be nothing that your new joint can’t handle, but these exercises are imperative for improving your circulation and establishing comfortable range of motion. It may not be comfortable, but it’s going to be worth it. Early motion is essential for helping the new joint get used to normal movement patterns.

2. Physical Therapy – The single best thing that you can do to help your joint become stronger and more functional is to give it your all during your physical therapy sessions. If you don’t push yourself, your joint won’t become as strong as possible, and the same can be said if you stop your PT exercises early. Until you get full clearance to stop your exercises, make sure that you go to your in-person sessions and do all of your home-based routines.

3. Mind Your Restrictions – The first two points talk about pushing your body physically, but it’s also important to stay within your restrictions. If you step outside your restrictions or try to return to work or certain physical activities before enough healing has occurred, you’re opening yourself up a setback, and that can increase your likelihood of chronic pain. If you think you’re making great progress and you want to take on more of a physical challenge, make sure you get clearance from your physician.

4. Be Aware Of Signs Of Complications – Although infections are rare, they do occur, and that can greatly impact the stability and overall health of your new joint. Keep your incision site clean and change your dressings as recommended by your physician. If you notice discolored fluid, foul-smelling discharge or the incision site is hot, let your doctor know, because these are the early warning signs of an infection.

5. Focus On Your Diet And Sleep Health – Your diet will help you get the right nutrients to aid in recovery, and sleep is an important time for tissue healing. Be cognizant of the foods and liquids you are putting in your body, and strive to get healthy sleep each night. Falling asleep and staying asleep after a joint replacement procedure won’t always come easy, but if you develop healthy sleep habits and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, you can help to create an ideal environment for healing and chronic pain prevention.

Keep these tips in mind, and if you want additional help fighting off chronic pain after an injury or surgery, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.