Research on the psychology of chronic pain shows that the most effective way to treat it is through a holistic effort that incorporates various specialists within a multidisciplinary care model. For many reasons – accidents, disorders, and disease, chronic pain impacts the lives of almost one-third of people in the United States. The costs of this condition are high and broad, ranging from expenses for chronic pain treatments to lost work days to emotional turbulence to disability.
Pain may seem to be an entirely physical issue in how it feels. However, the way it influences emotional state can be severe, leading to problems focusing, anger issues, irritability, anxiety, and/or depression. These psychological side-effects of pain should not be overlooked. In fact, occupational therapist Erica Jacques noted that “psychological side effects of living with chronic pain can be as debilitating as the pain itself.”
While the mental and emotional aspect of pain conditions can be complicated, there are various cognitive strategies you can use, paying special attention to regular exercise. If you do not get enough relief on your own, you can make an appointment with a professional provider of non-surgical treatments for chronic pain in Atlanta.
Cognitive chronic pain treatments
A few cognitive tactics, suggested across the globe by the Australian Pain Management Association (APMA), can be used for chronic pain relief in Atlanta:
- So that you are not anxious or pessimistic out of lack of knowledge, become better informed on chronic pain.
- In order to release tension in your muscles that can contribute to pain, use stress-relief methods such as deep breathing and meditation.
- To become mindful rather than careless or impulsive, try to engage all your senses throughout the day.
- In order to set aside pain, be sure to include your favorite, most highly focused activities in your weekly routine.
- So you can enhance your mood and maintain strong coping techniques, replace destructive thoughts with constructive ones.
- To mitigate pain as much as possible and bolster your ability to process pain, relieve your fatigue through attention to your sleep habits.
Psychological benefits of exercise
One way chronic pain can have lasting negative impact is that it often results in a disuse syndrome, in which people limit their activities because of symptoms, which creates a vicious cycle because the body atrophies, resulting in more pain.
You can bolster your range of motion, keep your joints healthy, and maintain muscular strength through regular exercise – and these benefits will help mitigate the chronic pain. Weakness can lead to injury and additional pain, so exercise is critical. It also helps you prevent disuse syndrome. A physical therapist on a multidisciplinary pain team can help you design a program.
Non-surgical treatments for chronic pain in Atlanta
Are you currently suffering from the psychological impact of chronic pain? If you want chronic pain relief in Atlanta, determining and treating the source of pain is essential since these conditions are so complex. At Atlanta Medical Clinic, our pain management programs are tailored for the individual and continuously modified to meet your needs and progress. See our free chronic pain ebook.