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 there’s a problem in one area of the body, it doesn’t remain localized, and there’s a high chance it’s 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 doesn’t 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 I’d suspect there’s a few surprising ways that pain can impact your daily life that you’ve never considered before.
As with many things in life, the old saying is true: “Knowledge is power.” Understanding some of the unexpected pitfalls and problems with chronic pain can help you avoid them in the first place. Here’s 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 you’re 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 don’t even want to answer your phone. Over time, you can start to doubt whether you’re exhausted from fighting pain or if you’re simply being lazy. Next, guilt sets in that you’re not doing the tasks that you’re supposed to be doing. After that, you could become standoffish with your friends and family, making you doubt your closely held relationships. It’s easy to see how things can spiral out of control quickly.
First, when you’re 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, don’t 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 there’s no end in sight to pain, you can end up with a very dim view of the future. On good days, you’re walking on eggshells, waiting for a bad day to come. When you’re 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, you’ll end up eventually getting to the point where you don’t 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 wasn’t doing anything to help themselves through their difficulty? We’ve all seen it before, and when you’re on the outside it’s 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 there’s simply no use in even trying to mitigate the pain. You’ve 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 doctor’s 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 you’re 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, don’t give up! There’s hope, and there’s people who want to help you live life to the fullest.
