3 Things You Should Do Every Day If You Have Chronic Pain

May 14, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Navigating your daily life can be difficult if you’re stuck dealing with a chronic pain condition. Between the good days and the rough days, it’s hard to know what each morning is going to bring. However, no matter how hard each day is, it’s imperative that you do a couple of things each day to keep your body and mind moving in the right direction. In today’s blog, we share three things you should do every day if you’re stuck in a constant battle with chronic pain.

Do These Three Things Each Day If You Have Chronic Pain

Now, there’s no perfect recipe for treating chronic pain because it is so unique to the individual, but we’ve found that patients who strive to do these three things every day tend to have more good days than bad when it comes to managing their chronic pain condition.

Each day you should so something for your:

Body – In order to help get your pain under control, you need to take care of your body. Every day you should strive to do something that helps your physical health. Go for a run, or if that’s too difficult, go for a walk around the block. Try to get your blood pumping and strengthen some key muscle groups. A lot of chronic pain conditions respond well to weight loss and stress reduction from muscle improvement, both of which can occur by challenging your body on a physical basis. Make it a point to do something physical outside of your normal daily routine each and every day.

Mind – Chronic pain conditions are not just a physical manifestation. Many pain conditions also have psychological effects as well, and failing to care for your mind can inhibit you ability to achieve physical health improvement. Every day you should do something that challenges your mind and boosts your mental health. Do a crossword puzzle, relax with some meditation or just dive into a book. These activities will take your mind off your physical pain, but it can also help treat physical conditions because of how intertwined your mental and physical health can be. Do something recreational that truly engages your mind each day.

Soul – Finally, do something each day that is unequivocally, 100 percent and totally for you. Do an activity that you are passionate about each day. Take up a woodworking project, play hide and seek with your kids or just do something that makes you happy to be alive. Find what drives you and engage in your passions, and you’ll be amazed what this can do for decreasing and managing your chronic pain condition.

If you do these three things each day while also following your doctor’s recommendations, we’re confident you’ll find yourself in more control of your chronic pain condition. And if you have questions or want help with your personal pain problem, please reach out to Dr. Cohn and his experienced medical staff today.

Could This Experimental Treatment Help Cure Chronic Pain?

May 5, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

University of Copenhagen

New research out of Denmark is showing promise for treating neuropathic pain. According to the team of researchers, they have been focusing on targeting hyper-sensitive nerves that contribute to chronic pain onset. They’ve done this by developing an experimental compound – a peptide called Tat-P4-(C5)2 – that has proved effective in treating similar pain in mice.

“We have developed a new way to treat chronic pain. It is a targeted treatment. That is, it does not affect the general neuronal signaling, but only affects the nerve changes that are caused by the disease,” says Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen.

“We have been working on this for more than ten years. We have taken the process all the way from understanding the biology, inventing and designing the compound to describing how it works in animals, affects their behavior and removes the pain,” said Madsen.

How The Peptide Works

The image on this blog shows the Tat-P4-(C5)2 compound after it is injected into the spinal cord. The compound (purple) begins by penetrating the nerve cells of the spinal cord (yellow), but not the surrounding cells (cell nuclei can be seen in blue). The compound works by blocking neuropathic pain signals like the kind that are seen in patients dealing with diabetic neuropathy, CRPS or phantom limb pain. The team has been pleased with how successful the treatment has been in mice.

“The compound works very efficiently, and we do not see any side effects. We can administer this peptide and obtain complete pain relief in the mouse model we have used, without the lethargic effect that characterizes existing pain-relieving drugs,” said Madsen. “Now, our next step is to work towards testing the treatment on people. The goal, for us, is to develop a drug, therefore the plan is to establish a biotech company as soon as possible so we can focus on this.”

Aside from simply working to block pain signals from being interpreted by the brain, researchers believe a peptide-focused treatment may become the norm for a variety of pain conditions in the future because it can perform the same task as painkillers without the risk of addiction or dependence. Our bodies naturally build up a tolerance to traditional painkillers, and as dosage increases so too does the risk of dependence and overdose. But with peptide intervention, we can block pain signals without the need for potentially dangerous painkillers.

It’s far from a miracle cure, and even if it’s proven successful in a human trial it should be paired with other healthy habits like regular exercise and dietary improvements, but it certainly gives us hope for the future of pain care. We’ll keep our eyes on this research as it moves to the next stage of trial. In the meantime, if you need help with a chronic pain issue, let us help you. Contact Dr. Cohn’s office today for more information.

COVID-19 and Chronic Pain

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Covid-19 has become a deadly pandemic across the world, and it is likely that almost no place on earth will go untouched. It is not a hoax, and for many the threat is very real. Projections suggest that somewhere around 60 percent or more of the population will become infected over the next several months, and 80 percent of these infections will be mild. However, if one has another significant medical problem, than they may be at risk for a complication and become seriously ill or require hospitalization. Those who have one of many medical problems that cause pain often have conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease or are elderly and at a high risk for Covid-19, however pain itself does not increase risks of the virus. Currently, becoming ill with Covid-19 is like playing Russian Roulette, as there is between 1-4 percent chance if you get become sick it will kill you.

If you have a pain condition, in general one needs to continue working on safe management and try to avoid anything that would increase your risk for infection. First and most importantly, chronic pain does not kill you and is not an emergency problem. Chronic pain is a management problem and there are usually multiple options in treatment. Sometimes a temporary solution is safer than a more definitive option. Sometimes the best treatment may be unavailable due to medical restrictions on procedures like injections or surgery. Fortunately, usually an adequate and temporary plan can be implemented until a better solution is available. There also is a fair likelihood that your pain still may feel intense and that you wish control would be better, but it’s something we have to deal with amid the pandemic.

Managing Chronic Pain During The Pandemic

There are things that one can do to make the pain better. First, it is important to realize that pain is a cognitive/emotional experience and a response to sensory inputs to the brain. Pain is the perception of the sensory signals from various nerves. A soldier in the heat of battle often will not feel a serious injury while someone sitting at home with nothing to do will feel horrible sensations since the brain is not occupied by other thoughts. Therefore, the busier the mind is, the less it can think about distressing thoughts. Distract the brain and keep it busy with positive thoughts, work or even television.

The second thing that helps pain is keeping physically active and healthy. Most activities will not make chronic symptoms worse. Continue to exercise, as it is important to maintain a good stretching, strengthening and general conditioning program. Stretching keeps muscles from tightening up, feeling like bands and spasming. Strengthening keeps muscle able to have the power to perform activities. Aerobic conditioning allows muscle to have the endurance to perform activities, increases your own endorphins that reduce pain and overall helps to relax the body and mind. Activity fights off deterioration of the body.

The third thing to do is maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. Try to improve your diet such that you are not gaining weight and stressing the body. If possible, improve your diet, consider healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, diary and meats and learn to cook while staying away from highly-processed foods and excess carbohydrates. Keep your diet sustainable and something that you can afford and enjoy. If you are ambitious, try an inflammatory diet or a Mediterranean diet. On top of diet, sleeping an adequate amount is necessary. Turn off your electronic devices an hour before bed and relax the brain. Try clearing your thoughts with mindfulness, meditation or relaxation. There are many phone and computer applications that can help with relaxation. Sometimes, having professional psychological help is even beneficial. Good sleep and less stress help maintain or boost the immune system.

If you have pain, there are many ways to treat it. Now with the Covid-19 virus and the medical and social precautions being taken to prevent spread, some of the options for treatment are not available. The coronavirus may not be affecting you at the moment, but the risk of infections at this time and the possible risk of even death due to your actions is very real. One can be a spreader of the disease without symptoms, and medical workers have a very high incidence of the disease. Further, many medical procedures such as injections use up valuable protective equipment that really is needed for hospitals and senior living centers where there are not adequate supplies. At this time, pain can be treated for the short term with other options besides injections and elective surgery in most cases. If the procedure is not essential to prevent loss of life or limb, currently it can be postponed until the medical system is past the critical time of Covid-19 spread.

Managing Chronic Pain During The COVID-19 Outbreak

April 3, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Managing chronic pain can be challenging, but for many people this sentiment holds true now more than ever. We’re living in uncertain times as we continue to try to contain the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus. This virus is challenging for the entire world, but as we learn more about it, it’s clear that it is especially problematic for certain groups of people and those with underlying health conditions. Unfortunately, there is a lot of crossover between the groups who are susceptible to significant complications from the virus and those who live with chronic pain on a daily basis.

This is not meant to be an overly grim outlook on our current situation, but we should proceed with caution as we navigate the next few weeks and months. There is good news though, because we’re learning more about the virus every day and how to best care for those who contract the condition. However, we want to help explain how chronic pain patients should try to proceed these next few months to both stay safe and manage their chronic condition.

Chronic Pain and Coronavirus

For starters, patients with chronic pain need to be especially cognizant about the social distancing order, especially if your chronic condition affects your immune system or your respiratory system. Those with immunodeficiancies and lung problems can really have an issue overcoming the virus, and many of those who have succumbed to the virus have these types of underlying health conditions.

So with your social distancing in mind, follow these tips to help control your chronic pain and reduce your risk of contracting the coronavirus.

1. Exercise – You still need to find ways to exercise even if you can no longer go to the gym. Get creative about how you exercise and strengthen key muscle groups. Going for a run or a walk is still fine in most parts of the US so long as you try to stay further than six feet from others you encounter. Otherwise, dust off the treadmill or look up some online yoga exercises that you can perform in the comfort of your home. Just because you’re self-isolating doesn’t mean you get to be lazy, because that will make it harder to control your chronic pain.

2. Mental Health – Social distancing does not mean that you need to isolate yourself. Talk with family members regularly or set up recurring conference calls with friends. Finding some ways to take your mind off your pain or the state of the world will do wonders for your mental health, and that’s important for your physical health as well. Find healthy outlets for your mind.

3. Learn – Now is a great time to take up a new hobby or invest in a new skill. If you’re working from home, you may find some extra time on your hands if you’re no longer commuting for your job or your hours have been cut. Don’t just use this time to watch Netflix and lay on the couch. Your body will feel more engaged by new activities and will take your mind off your pain, which is good for your health. Come out of this quarantine with one new skill your proud of, and it may even help your pain condition.

4. Connect Virtually – If you’re having questions about your condition or how to best manage an issue, see if you can connect with your physician for a virtual visit. Some clinics are still open, but many physicians and physical therapy departments are offering telemedicine options to help see patients more easily. There are still ways to connect with your physician, even in the wake of a pandemic.

Keep these four tips in mind, and really invest in your physical and mental health these next few weeks and months. It may seem challenging, but you may be able to come out of this with a better grip on your chronic condition than you had before. For help with any of this, reach out to our office today.

Managing Chronic Pain During These Challenging Times

March 18, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Needless to say, we’re in unprecedented times in America and across the globe in terms of how we’re reacting to the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19, also termed the coronavirus, is a virus that spreading like wildfire and can have significant health impacts on anyone who comes down the the virus.

Specifically, older individuals and those with immunodeficiency disorders are at the highest risk of severe complications from the virus, and in our experience, individuals with chronic pain tend to be more likely to have an immunodeficiency disorder than the general population.

Now more than ever, we need to be diligent in how we manage our chronic pain. Even if you don’t have an immunodeficiency disorder and consider yourself young and healthy outside of your chronic pain, you need to make some conscious changes to how you manage your chronic pain in the coming days and weeks. We share some tips and situation updates below.

Managing Chronic Pain During The Coronavirus Outbreak

As we’ve stated on the blog in the past, exercise is one of the best things you can do to help manage your chronic pain condition. Exercise helps to strengthen key muscle groups and releases endorphins that can help mask some pain signals. However, gyms are closing because of the virus, so you may need to find a new way to work out. Going for a walk or a run is still fine so long as you avoid group running, and we encourage chronic pain patients to look for ways to stay active inside their home. Dust off that old exercise equipment, or do some home-based exercise routines like yoga or balance board training. Find ways to stay active without going to the gym.

If you need to have a consultation with a physician, whether it’s for a new sickness or because of your current chronic pain situation, you can take solace in knowing that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making it easier for physicians to connect with patients through telemedicine. As long as the provider is acting in good faith, they can consult with patients over electronic means like Skype, Google Hangout and Facetime. Doctors can even do this across state borders, an action that was announced during a White House press briefing this morning. We’re still sifting through all these changes, but know that we’re working as diligently as we can to make it easier for patients to connect with physicians while still following smart social distancing guidelines.

Lastly, remember to take some time to focus on your mental health during these trying times. Your mental health plays a significant role in how your physical condition responds to treatment, so you need to take care of your physical and mental health. This may be easier said than done, but find ways to give yourself a mental break and to safely alleviate stress. Call friends and family members, organize a game night with your family, or dive into a book series you’ve been meaning to read. Taking your mind off other stressors can help with your physical condition, so keep that in mind over the next few weeks.

We’ll get through this together. If you need anything during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office for answers or information.