Chronic Pain Management – Many individuals who have had an injury and the pain associated with the injury has not stopped. Chronic pain is typically defined as having pain on most days for at least three months. Some individuals are effected by pain more than others.
Chronic pain consists of a number of dimensions which include; experiencing persistent pain, pain behaviour, mood disturbance, dysfunction or disability in normal activities and unhelpful thoughts.
When individuals experience pain consistently, they tend to avoid, reduce or modify their activities. They do not participate in as much activity as they used to before the pain started. They give up some of their hobbies, doing household chores, and socialising. Reduced activities may lead to depressed mood and secondary physical deconditioning such as loss of general fitness and strength in muscles and joints.
At the same time, these individuals will try various painkillers to reduce their pain, and experience side effects with long term use such as stomach problems, lethargy and constipation.
Individuals with chronic pain may also lose or give up employment, experiencing financial difficulties which may also lead to feeling depressed.
Psychological and environmental factors play a significant role in the suffering and disability among those who suffer chronic pain. Psychological intervention in chronic pain management involves strategies to minimise suffering and disability.
Through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), sufferers are assisted to recognise and change unhelpful ways of coping and to develop more effective ways of perceiving and managing pain. It encourages sufferers of chronic pain to take a more pro-active role in managing pain and to take control of their lives.
If you are suffering from chronic pain and would like some assistance to cope with the pain, please call us during office hours for an appointment. We are here to help you manage your pain.