chronic pain support

5 Tips For Supporting A Loved On With Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

supportingChronic pain is an incredibly complex and highly individualized health condition, and because of this, it can be hard to know how to support someone who is battling a pain issue. You want to be there for your loved one, but how can you give them the support they need?

We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but in today’s blog, we share some tips for how you can support a loved one during their battle with chronic pain.

Supporting Someone Who Has Chronic Pain

There’s no perfect playbook for supporting someone who is working to overcome a chronic pain condition, but as a provider who treats a variety of pain issues, we have a first-hand understanding of what many pain patients are looking for in terms of support. Here are some things you can do to support a loved one with chronic pain.

1. Be Patient – Chronic pain can disrupt even the best laid plans. Instead of getting frustrated or upset at a chronic pain-related problem, strive to have grace and patience with your loved one. It’s not their fault, and they do not wish to be in this position, so don’t take out any anger or disappointment on them. They are probably just as upset if not more at the situation, so be patient with them.

2. Be Adaptable – Your loved one has to adjust their life based on their chronic pain condition and whether or not they’re dealing with a flare up, and you should try to be adaptable too. If they are having a good day and want to grab lunch on a moment’s notice, try to work them into your schedule. If a pain issue changes your plans for a night out on the town, consider offering to bring over dinner or watch a movie from the comfort of the couch. Your loved one will appreciate your flexibility.

3. Be A Source Of Positivity – Chronic pain can be a lot of doom and gloom, so it’s imperative that you are a source of positivity for your loved one. Try to look on the bright side of things and steer the conversation away from the negative when possible. Let them know that the progress they are making or the effort they are putting in isn’t going unnoticed!

4. Just Be There – Sometimes you don’t need to try and solve a problem or focus on the bright side of things. Sometimes all you need to do is be there for someone. Respond to that text message, let them vent to you on the phone or just be present when you are with them. You don’t need to try and solve every problem for them, sometimes you just need to be there for them.

5. Encourage Activity – Chronic pain conditions respond better to activity and exercise than to a sedentary lifestyle, so try to encourage activity when possible. Offer to go for a walk with your friend or keep on them about performing their physical therapy exercises. Movement and exercise will help make muscles stronger and improve overall physical function, which is essential when working to overcome a chronic pain condition.

Your loved one is lucky to have you by their side during their journey with chronic pain, and it’s wonderful that you are looking for ways to better support them. If you want any more tips or have questions about a different pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Four People To Lean On If You Have Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

people supportChronic 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.

The Three Components To Successfully Conquering Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

triangle supportConquering chronic pain is a daily battle, and it’s not something that is always easy to handle. In fact, if you don’t have the right support systems or partners by your side, it can be very difficult to overcome a chronic pain condition. In our experience, we’ve found that people who have three specific components during their chronic pain treatment have a higher likelihood of success. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the three components to successfully conquering a chronic pain condition.

Three Pillars To Conquering Chronic Pain

The triangle is the strongest shape in nature, so if you view these three key components as parts of a triangle, it can help you visual how they can help make up the foundation for chronic pain treatment. Here are the three key components for successfully conquering chronic pain.

Yourself – Successfully managing a chronic pain condition begins with yourself. Not only do you need to want to get better, you have to actively work towards achieving it. Wanting it without taking tangible steps to reach this goal isn’t going to be effective. There’s no magic pill you can take to solve your chronic pain, it’s going to take active modalities like exercise, physical therapy and stretching techniques. Understanding this, and taking ownership of your role in managing your chronic pain condition will help you move the needle in the right direction each day. Educate yourself, commit to treatment and lean on others when you find yourself struggling in order to do your part to overcome chronic pain.

Your Doctor – Finding a pain management specialist who understands your condition, who really listens to your concerns and who won’t stop until they’ve helped solve your pain is another key component to chronic pain management. There are plenty of doctors who will prescribe pain medications and help treat the symptoms of your condition, but those won’t help you on a long-term basis. You need to find a doctor who works hard to diagnose the root problem and develop a treatment plan suited to your individual needs. They also need to be willing to reevaluate the patient and update their treatment recommendations as things change, because chronic pain is a complex issue that can change over time. If you’re not satisfied with your professional pain care, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office and see what it’s like to work with a pain specialist who is committed to seeing the problem through.

Your Support System – Finally, it’s important to have a support system in place when things get difficult. This could be in the form of family, friends or an online support group. Some people enjoy confiding in those who are close to them, while others feel like they don’t want to be a burden and don’t want to lay their problems on people who can’t relate. Find what works for you and really work to find a support system that can help you when things aren’t going great. You’ll have bad days, but having a good support system in place can make it easier to bounce back and string together more good days than bad. If you need help developing a support system, talk to your pain specialist about online or in-person support groups, or open up to family members. And don’t be afraid to be a support system for others in your life who are going through their own issues, be it divorce, a health issue or some other problem. Lean on others, and be a rock for others who need support, and you’ll find it easier to manage your chronic pain condition.

For more information or for help with your chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

The Importance Of A Support System When You Have Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

support systemWhether you’re off pursuing your dreams of being a musician in New York City or trying out for the varsity basketball team, everybody wants to have a strong support system that they can turn to in a time of need. Another group of people who need a strong support system in their life are those individuals with chronic pain, but those with a chronic condition know that a good support system can be hard to find. Today, we share some tips for finding and building a strong support system if you have chronic pain.

Chronic Pain Support System

All of the following tips may not apply to your situation, but we’re confident at least some of them will. Here’s how you can build and learn to rely on a support system if you’re dealing with a chronic illness.

1. Find A Few Close Friends – You probably have one or two really close friends or family members that you can rely on when things get tough, and it’s important to lean on them when you need help. Just because you have a large family or a large network of friends doesn’t mean they are all going to be sympathetic to your cause and be reliable in your time of need. Recognize that not everyone is going to be part of your support system, so focus on the really reliable members of your support system instead of trying to involve a larger network of people.

2. Online Support – The rise of the internet has made it much easier for people to connect with other individuals who are going through the same thing. You can find highly specialized support groups that can allow you to talk to people who know what you’re dealing with. Try a simple google search and see what groups are out there. Find one or two that seem supportive and consider joining.

3. Share Your Experiences – A number of people find it helpful to share their stories with others. Whether you’re talking to your best friend on the phone or writing out your daily struggle on an online forum, it can be extremely helpful to talk about your experiences. Find a place where you can vent or be vulnerable, and let your story be heard.

4. Support Yourself – It’s also important to remember that you are the most important member of your support group, and you need to take care of yourself. You need to be getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and partaking in activities that contribute to a healthy physical and emotional well-being. If you have self-destructive tendencies, your support group may fall apart because others may think “Why should I care about them if they don’t seem to care about themselves?” Be your biggest supporter.

5. Professional Help – Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for help. Whether you need a chronic pain specialist to help you get a grip on your condition, or you want to talk to a mental health counselor about your feelings and your concerns, please reach out for help. We want to be part of your support team, but we can’t get you help unless you connect with our office. Let us help you.

For more tips on building and maintaining a healthy support system if you have chronic pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.