How Can We Do More For Chronic Pain Patients?

July 7, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain affects more than 50 million people in the US alone, and yet it doesn’t seem to be an issue that is getting the attention it deserves. We need to be doing more for the millions of people who battle a chronic pain diagnosis on a daily basis, but how can we provide better care?

We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we’re going to use today’s blog to talk about some of the ways that pain care in America and across the globe could be improved.

Solving Chronic Pain On An Individual Level

Let’s first look at the problem on a local level. What can a pain care physician do to help solve chronic pain? They need to focus on what they can do to provide the best level of care to the patients they are seeing in their office. This involves:

Taking the time to listen – Everyone’s pain is different, and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to chronic pain. Doctors need to take the time to really get to know their patients and their condition so that they can help them find a treatment that works for them.

Don’t go for the quick short-term fix – Opioids can help mask the symptoms of chronic pain, but they won’t treat the underlying issue. As we’ve said on the blog countless times in the past, prescription medications can play a pivotal role in a comprehensive treatment plan, but they should not be the only form of treatment. Doctors should not rush to medicate without pursuing more active treatment methods.

Be ready to pivot – If one treatment isn’t working, it means that doctors need to be ready to pivot to another treatment. As we’ve mentioned, pain is highly individualized, so what works for one person isn’t guaranteed to work for another, and providers need to be flexible in their approach.

Continue to learn – Pain care is always evolving, and pain physicians need to keep furthering their understanding of chronic pain and how to best treat difficult cases. Doctors need to continue to seek out highly credible research in order to provide patients with the highest level of care.

Solving Chronic Pain On A Global Level

Solving chronic pain on a global level will take a more concentrated effort. Obviously there is no simple solution, but there are two main areas we should be focusing on. For starters, chronic pain prevalence needs to become more mainstream. Roughly one in five Americans deal with a chronic pain condition, so odds are a number of your family and friends are fighting an invisible fight each and every day, and many of them aren’t talking about it. We need to combat the stigma of chronic pain and find ways to talk about it so that more people are willing to take the necessary steps to treat their issue head on. Chronic pain patients shouldn’t have to live in the shadows, hiding their pain from those around them.

The other main way to work towards an effective solution to chronic pain is to increase funding for research. As we mentioned above, 50 million Americans battle a chronic pain condition on a regular basis, so there is clearly an audience ready to jump towards more effective treatments. We just need to find them, and the best way to do that is to invest in research programs dedicated to better understanding chronic pain.

If you want to speak to a pain management specialist who will work hard to accomplish those individual tasks and champion the idea of tackling chronic pain on a larger scale, trust your care to Dr. Cohn and his team. For more information or to set up an appointment, give his office a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Will I Ever Celebrate Independence From Chronic Pain?

June 29, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Independence Day is right around the corner, and the holiday got us thinking about the notion that everyone hopes to eventually become independent from their chronic pain condition. But how can we break free from our chronic pain condition and find that independence? In today’s blog, we share some some tips for becoming independent of your chronic pain condition.

Chronic pain conditions are highly unique to the individual, so there’s no one-size-fits-all path to break free from chronic pain. That said, many people who have been able to overcome their chronic pain condition have been able to do so by following some similar techniques. Here’s a look at some helpful ways to work towards independence from your chronic pain condition.

Be Active – We know it’s easier said than done to say “be active” when pain can make movement uncomfortable, but movement is crucial for your total body health. Activity gets your heart pumping, which pushes healthy blood throughout your body, ensuring that structures get the nutrients and oxygen they need to thrive. Exercise and activity has also been shown to release endorphins in the brain that can act as natural pain relievers.

Tweak Your Diet – There’s no magical diet that can cure your of your chronic pain, but if you are smart about what you put in your body, your diet can play a positive role in chronic pain relief. High fiber vegetables, fatty fish and vitamin-packed fruits can all help your body get the nutrients it needs to thrive. On the flip side, foods that are high in fat or carbohydrates can contribute to inflammation onset, which can make joint movement more uncomfortable. Strive to improve your diet or create a food journal so that you can get a better idea of what’s working and what’s not when it comes to your diet.

Work With A Specialist – Don’t try to overcome a chronic pain condition on your own, because it can be extremely daunting. Instead, connect with a specialist who can help develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Knowing you have an ally in your corner can go a long way in helping your mental health, which is imperative for overcoming chronic pain, because pain conditions aren’t just a physical issue. Let a professional help guide you to independence from chronic pain.

Stay Hydrated – Your joints and muscles work optimally when they are appropriately hydrated, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help your body function and reduce instances of chronic pain. Being appropriately hydrated improves your circulation and makes it easier on your heart to effectively pump this blood throughout your body. Being hydrated won’t solve your chronic pain by itself, but it can make it easier for your muscles to move effectively during exercise.

We hope you have a wonderful 4th of July, and if you want help becoming independent from your chronic pain condition, consider syncing up with Dr. Cohn and his team. For more information, or for help with your chronic pain issue, give Dr. Cohn’s office a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Tips For Managing Your Fibromyalgia During The Summer

June 23, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The summer weather is here to stay for a while in Minnesota, and while warmer temperatures may be a treat to some, they can also make it more likely that you’ll experience a flareup with your fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that our joints tend to work better in warmer temperatures than in colder temps, but summer heat can make it more likely for muscles to cramp, headaches to develop or fibromyalgia flareups, none of which are enjoyable.

With that in mind, we wanted to share some tips for preventing fibromyalgia flareups during the warm summer months.

Preventing Fibro Flareup This Summer

Everyone’s fibromyalgia condition is unique to them, so there’s no guanrantee that these techniques will prevent any and all flareups. That being said, many people notice that their flareups are less common when they strive to keep these tips in mind throughout the summer.

Stay Hydrated – Stay hydrated so that it’s easier for your heart to pump healthy blood to structures that need it the most. If you’re dehydrated, it will be harder for your muscles to get the oxygen they need to work efficiently, which can lead to cramps, spasms and fibromyalgia-related pain. It’s helpful to keep a water bottle nearby at all times, but that’s especially true in the summer.

Dress Appropriately – Tight, restrictive clothing or heavy options that make it harder for your body to regulate its temperature can also make it more likely that you’ll have a flareup. Patients with fibromyalgia or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) will want to wear light, breathable options to help keep nerve irritation at bay.

Stay Cool – Look for shady spots if you have to be outdoors, and do your best to avoid extended periods out in the hot summer sun. Again, this can make it harder for your body to keep itself cool and regulate its temperature, which can send nerves into overdrive. Find ways to stay cool and avoid becoming overheated when outdoors this summer.

Eye The Air Quality Index – Keep an eye on the air quality index this summer. Low air quality can lead to more inflammation in your muscles and joints, making a fibro flareup more likely. You can’t control the air quality, but be mindful of how low quality days may affect your condition.

Mind Your Diet – Eating a healthy diet can sometimes make fibromyalgia symptoms less noticeable, so consider tracking what you eat and removing trigger foods from your diet. Summer is oftentimes a time when we are tempted with unhealthier options at barbecues and picnics, so while it’s fine to indulge here or there, take note of which foods seem to help alleviate your symptoms or which ones make things worse.

Speak To A Specialist – Finally, if you dread summer because of how it affects your fibromyalgia, now is the time to speak to a specialist like Dr. Cohn. We can get to the bottom of your condition and set you up with an individualized care plan based on your specific needs. For more information, or for help with your chronic pain issue, give Dr. Cohn’s office a call today at (952) 738-4580.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Online Chronic Pain Support Groups

June 9, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The advent of the internet has made it easier for people to connect with one another from all over the world. This is especially helpful in the pain management community. Many people may not know anyone else in their immediate circle dealing with a specific type of chronic pain condition, but they can connect with hundreds or thousands of individuals who are going through the same issue they are dealing with when they find a support group dedicated to that condition.

At the same time, support groups aren’t a perfect solution for your chronic pain issue either, and they can actually make it harder to overcome your pain if you’re not careful. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of online support groups for chronic pain.

Benefits Of Online Pain Support Groups

We’ve recommended online support groups to patients in the past, and they have the potential to be a perfect complement to your comprehensive treatment plan. For starters, there is a huge psychological weight that can be lifted off your shoulders when you know that you’re not going through your issue alone. There are so many others out there dealing with similar issues, and you can share ideas and stories with one another to feel less isolated by your chronic pain condition.

In fact, in a study about chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, the most frequently mentioned benefit of an online support group was illness legitimization (67.8%). Two other benefits that were frequently mentioned were finding out new information (66.4%) and feeling understood by others (62.2%). Clearly sharing ideas and connecting with others was helpful for those dealing with an isolating condition.

Drawbacks For Online Support Groups

The same study also looked at some potential drawbacks associated with these pain groups, and they found some interesting results. Most notably, active members of the pain care group reported greater symptom severity and less illness improvement than inactive members or dropouts. Now, there’s many possible reasons for this result. Inactive individuals or dropouts may not lean on the group as much because their pain wasn’t as severe, so they may be more likely to find a solution that leads them to no longer need the group.

However, there’s also the hypothesis that over-dependence and heavy involvement in an online support group can negatively affect how you approach your pain condition. One of the most frequently reported reasons for dropping out of the group was too much negative talk or complaining (33.3%). If all you read about your condition is how horrible it is, how doctors are working against you and how there’s no hope for the future, those thoughts can make it harder for you to find the right treatment plan. You may be more likely to avoid the solutions you need simply because of misinformation and pain catastrophizing that can take place in these groups.

A number of these groups can connect you with wonderful people who truly want to help you find a solution to your pain, but like any online group, they can also be full of people who are angry at the world and use the group to spread their misery to others. Whether intentional or not, it’s important that you don’t allow yourself to focus on these negative comments and know that it will do nothing to actually help you overcome your condition.

We’d be happy to point you in the direction of some in-person or online groups where you can connect with others in the midst of their own personal pain battle. You don’t have to go through it alone, and you can also fight your battle with a pain management specialist by your side. For help with your pain condition, or for answers to your questions, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.

Caring For Chronic Low Back Pain

June 3, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The following is a guest blog from Natalia Madden at The Healthy Place, a vitamin and supplement company that originated in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and now has additional storefronts in the greater Madison area. The Healthy Place hopes to provide customers with the highest quality products and the education needed for customers to stride forward confidently on their journey to find wellness. You can learn more about them on their website, FindYourHealthyPlace.com

Your back is in pain and you feel at odds. Why? Well, this frustrating pain can leave us feeling helpless due to its central location, interfering with everything we try to do. Maybe your back hurts from bad posture or daily wear and tear, or you injured yourself exercising or doing yard work. Whatever is causing your low back pain, you want relief — and you want it fast.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to relieve lower back pain without the use of conventional pain medications. Check out the best low back pain relief methods below, where we mention everything from stretches and supplements to the best healthcare specialist you should seek for this pain.

How to Relieve Low Back Pain

Maintain good posture: This relaxes tension from your lower back that causes pain.
Stay active, even when your body wants otherwise: This prevents the weakening of back muscles and spinal support.
Stretch in the morning and throughout the day: Exercises like yoga and Pilates strengthen your core to keep back and hip muscles strong and supportive.
See a chiropractor or pain management specialist.
Supply your body with natural, relieving nutrients: Eat a nutritious diet and take dietary supplements to keep your nerves, muscles, and bones nourished for less pain and discomfort.

Low back pain is an unfortunately common health issue. In fact, it’s a leading cause of disability and over 25% of Americans struggle with it regularly. While pain relievers and other conventional methods are a normal go-to for low back pain, there are a variety of natural methods to relieve this uncomfortable and frustrating concern.

Stand tall, stay active, stretch regularly, and see a chiropractor or pain management specialist to maintain a pain-free back. And when the pain is in your way of daily life, nourish your body with a natural pain relief supplement. You can learn more about these options by talking to your pain management specialist or by connecting with a vitamin and supplement provider like Find Your Healthy Place!