Whether people realize it or not, we are holistic beings. That means that each part of our body is intricately connected to every other part of our body. This innate connection means that when thereβs a problem in one area of the body, it doesnβt remain localized, and thereβs a high chance itβs affecting other parts of the body, too. It will end up manifesting itself in a host of different ways.
When a person deals with chronic pain, the same rule applies. Pain doesnβt just affect the part of the body that hurts. Rather, it typically ends up causing all types of other problems throughout your entire mind and body. Some of these problems you may be aware of, but Iβd suspect thereβs a few surprising ways that pain can impact your daily life that youβve never considered before.
As with many things in life, the old saying is true: βKnowledge is power.β Understanding some of the unexpected pitfalls and problems with chronic pain can help you avoid them in the first place. Hereβs three different ways that pain can impact your life:
It Can Cause You To Doubt Yourself
Yes, a pain in the neck can end up hurting you that deeply! There are many studies that show the link between pain and depression, but I want you to think even deeper than that for a moment.
When youβre having a bad day, it can cause you to struggle to do the things you normally do. Getting to work is difficult. Chores get left undone. You donβt even want to answer your phone. Over time, you can start to doubt whether youβre exhausted from fighting pain or if youβre simply being lazy. Next, guilt sets in that youβre not doing the tasks that youβre supposed to be doing. After that, you could become standoffish with your friends and family, making you doubt your closely held relationships. Itβs easy to see how things can spiral out of control quickly.
First, when youβre in pain, make sure you take all of your medications that have been prescribed to you, particularly antidepressants. However, go deeper than pharmaceuticals. Take time for deep breathing and meditation. Consider utilizing stretching exercises that encourage relaxation. Reach out to a trusted friend for help. Whatever you do, donβt allow yourself to dwell on negative, untrue thoughts that have been festering as a result of how you’re feeling.
It Can Cause You To Live In Fear
When thereβs no end in sight to pain, you can end up with a very dim view of the future. On good days, youβre walking on eggshells, waiting for a bad day to come. When youβre having a bad day, good days feel even more unattainable. It can become a constant cycle of fear, with neither hope nor joy allowed any room to enter your life.
Again, the more you know, the better. If you have a fear of the unknown nature of your pain, have a frank discussion with your doctor. Consider visiting a counsellor to help get your anxious thoughts under control. If you live in fear long enough, youβll end up eventually getting to the point where you donβt enjoy life at all. Of course, this will only end up making your situation worse, turning your fears into a self-fulfilled prophecy.
It Can Cause You To Stop Trying To Get Better
Have you ever met the person who was in constant pain, yet seemingly wasnβt doing anything to help themselves through their difficulty? Weβve all seen it before, and when youβre on the outside itβs easy to recognize and criticize. However, when you live in constant pain nearly every day, you may end up resigning yourself to the point where thereβs simply no use in even trying to mitigate the pain. Youβve tried it all…and nothing works.
If you find yourself in this situation, go back to some simple, common sense methods to help relieve your pain. Start a simple, low-impact exercise routine. Try to eat a more well-balanced diet. Consider a targeted supply of supplements that will help in your situation (under a doctorβs supervision).
Additionally, if pharmaceuticals have not been helping your pain, consider forms of pill-free pain management. For instance, there is a new available drug-free pain management system that utilizes safe and effective neuromodulator therapy to help alleviate pain. This relatively new therapy could be a helpful new approach to your pain and provide you with some much-needed relief.
When youβre dealing with pain, it can take a toll on your overall wellbeing in ways you never thought possible. As you deal with the effects of chronic pain, donβt give up! Thereβs hope, and thereβs people who want to help you live life to the fullest.