More than 50 million Americans battle a chronic pain condition on a regular basis, but for a portion of these individuals, their pain is even more debilitating. According to research published in the Journal of Pain, roughly 11 million U.S. adults are dealing with what’s known as “High Impact Chronic Pain.” High Impact Chronic Pain, also referred to as HICP, is similar in nature to standard chronic pain in that it is categorized as pain that has lasted three months or longer. However, in patients with HICP, their pain is so significant that is also causes at least one major active restriction, like:
- Being unable to work
- Being unable to go to school
- Being able to perform household chores
Because of the significant physical burden caused by HIPC, it’s also not uncommon for individuals to also be plagued by mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It can be a vicious cycle, with pain limiting physical and mental stimulation, which only makes it harder for a person to overcome their chronic pain issue. We don’t pretend like we have all the answers, but we do want to use today’s blog to give some advice on how you can work to overcome your high impact chronic pain condition.
Overcoming High Impact Chronic Pain
There is no step-by-step guide for overcoming high impact chronic pain, especially because pain conditions are so unique to the individual. With that said, there are a few things you can do that you may find helpful in providing mild, moderate or major relief for your pain condition. We recommend a combination of the following:
Professional Assistance – You shouldn’t try to manage your high impact pain condition by yourself. It’s already burdensome enough without also trying to figure out the best way to treat your unique pain condition. Instead, lean on a pain specialist with decades of experience treating all sorts of pain problems. Let us work alongside you to find solutions and make it easier for you to gradually work to overcome your pain issue so that you can get back to doing all the activities you love.
Be Active – We know that this is easier said than done, but activity is really important for your body if you’re dealing with a pain condition. Obviously you’ll want to tailor the activity to your current strengths and limitations, but physical activity will do wonders for your physical and mental health. Being active strengthens key areas inside your body, and it can be mentally rewarding to know that you are doing your part to help control your pain condition, which is key for your mental health.
Physical Therapy – If you want to pursue some physical activities and exercise under the guidance of a professional, consider syncing up with a physical therapist. Your physical therapist will develop a PT routine suited to your diagnosis and your goals, and they’ll gradually have you take on greater challenges as you work towards becoming the most functionally capable version of yourself. Many people like working with a PT because it allows them to get real-time feedback from a professional who will adjust their workout to their ever-changing needs.
Improve Your Diet And Sleep – You can’t eat and sleep your way back to full health, but your diet and your sleep quality can certainly prove beneficial or detrimental in your quest to overcome your pain condition. A poor diet can be pro-inflammatory, while a lack of quality sleep has been shown to increase pain sensitivity, which is not something you want if you’re dealing with high impact chronic pain. Conversely, a healthy diet ensures that your body gets the nutrients it needs for numerous essential functions, and quality sleep makes it easier for you to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to attack the day with activity.
Overcoming a chronic pain condition is never easy, and that’s especially true for patients with high impact chronic pain. With that said, if you strive to make a few small changes and you connect with a provider like Dr. Cohn, we’re confident that we can help you get your HIPC under control. For more information, or for help with a different pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today at (952) 738-4580.