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Could The Arts Helps Drown Out Chronic Pain?

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

art therapyDoctors and patients are always looking for new ways to take the sting out of a chronic pain condition, and while exercise and opioids are two of the most common treatments, other complimentary activities may also help a person drown out pain signals. According to new research, turning to the arts may help some people get a better handle over their chronic pain condition.

Art As Pain Treatment

There are a number of theories as to why turning to the creative arts may help someone manage their chronic pain condition, and the prevailing wisdom is that it helps to pull your attention away from your pain. Chronic pain can be an intrusive experience that seizes your attention and thoughts, but throwing yourself into a creative arts experience can help pull your thoughts away from your pain.

Others believe that art therapy can be helpful because it gives patients a sense of control. Chronic pain can be overwhelming and leave you feeling like you no longer have control over your physical health, but channeling your focus towards something that you create can help you regain a sense of control. If you learn that you can control some aspects of your life, your chronic pain condition doesn’t seem as unmanageable.

A number of studies have helped back up these theories, although they have only proved correlation, not causation. For example, we’ve seen how an art lesson can help cancer patients experience less pain, and how the creative arts like music, dance, even just looking at a painting can improve a person’s ability to cope with pain.

In fact, a 2020 report by the National Endowment for the Arts concluded that “arts-based interventions should be considered among potential complementary approaches for managing pain.”

So while Dr. Cohn and his team aren’t likely to prescribe some crayons and a coloring book at your next appointment, there does appear to be a clear connection between creative expression, art appreciation and the ability to better manage uncontrolled pain. Art therapy will not be able to replace your exercise program, but it can be a perfect compliment to your current treatment to help yield even better results.

Stick to your normal pain care routine, but this summer, consider creating something in a sketchbook once a week or visiting the local art fair once a month to gain a greater appreciation for the arts, and your pain condition may also become more manageable! For more information, or for more traditional treatments to help overcome a chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Could Music and Art Lower Chronic Pain Risk?

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

art culture painIf you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you know that we like to pitch certain conservative treatment options for chronic pain. Activities like controlled exercise, stretching techniques and a healthy diet can help to control chronic pain and decrease your likelihood of flare ups. But what if other activities could provide similar benefits? Activities like going to a concert or checking out an art exhibit?

According to a new study published in the Journal of Pain, adding some culture to your regular routine could help to reduce your likelihood of chronic pain. For their study, researchers looked at data from a 10-year study that tracked the progression of pain in more than 2,600 older adults living in England. None of the participants were experiencing pain at the beginning of the study, but after 10 years, more than 42 percent said they experienced moderate to severe chronic pain.

Chronic Pain and Culture

Some of the findings were not all that surprising. Researchers found that individuals with poor sleep patterns, those who had mental health problems and those who were poorer and less educated were more likely to suffer from chronic pain. But one aspect they found interesting was the association between participation in cultural or social events and the development of chronic pain. Researchers noticed that stretching and endurance training were more likely to reduce the risk of developing chronic pain when those activities were paired with participation in cultural and social events.

“This study also found evidence that psychosocial factors may be protective against the development of chronic pain, in particular engagement in cultural activities such as going to museums, art galleries, exhibitions, concerts, the theatre or the opera,” wrote lead author Daisy Fancourt, PhD, a senior research associate at University College London. “It is notable that the odds ratios for cultural engagement were directly comparable with those of vigorous physical activity, suggesting a reduction of 25-26% in risk of chronic pain incidence.”

Why The Reduction In Chronic Pain?

So why do researchers believe that chronic pain likelihood may be reduced by visiting a museum or checking out a summer concert? According to them, the event is likely paired with some gentle physical activity, which can be beneficial for your body, as well as psychological benefits that come from social engagement and positive cultural experiences.

“This study is the first to explore simultaneously potential physical and psychosocial protective factors for the development of chronic pain in older adults. Our results demonstrate that both vigorous weekly activity and regular cultural engagement appear to reduce risk of incident chronic moderate-severe pain,” the researchers concluded.

Although the study was observational in nature, it points to an interesting correlation. Get outside, explore new places and find an enjoyable cultural experience, and you may be able to reduce your chronic pain risk. A visit to the museum shouldn’t be your only treatment technique, but when added to a regular care plan, it may have some rewarding effects!