Chiropractic

How Psychologists Can Help With Chronic Pain | Central Chiropractor

Share

Chronic pain is pain that doesn’t go away. Unlike acute pain, that comes on suddenly and can usually be traced directly to a cause, chronic pain lingers and it isn’t easy to tell what is causing it. That is the situation that millions of chronic pain sufferers have been in: there’s no reason as to why they have persistent pain.

 

In actuality, chronic pain in itself can be considered a disease or illness. Most times, pain is a symptom of another illness or problem. If pain becomes persistent, though, it isn’t just a sign of a problem, it is the issue.

 

What can you do about chronic pain?

 

One typically accepted definition of chronic pain is pain that still remains, even when the related injury or disease has been healed. It’s pain that persists 6 months or longer after the associated injury or disease has been managed. Chronic pain not only affects the body physically, it can also affect the mind.

 

Psychologists and Chronic Pain

 

Being referred to a psychologist as part of the chronic pain treatment plan does not necessarily mean your doctor thinks that your pain is only mental. If your doctor refers you it usually means that they are well-aware of the effects pain can have on the mind. It means that the healthcare professional is currently taking a multi-disciplinary strategy to your pain, one which may comprise of psychology, physical therapy, and medications, for example. Since chronic pain is a condition that is multi-faceted, it needs a multi-faceted therapy plan.

 

A Psychologist’s Role

 

Chronic pain does involve an emotional component. Back in 1979, the International Association for the Study of Pain redefined pain. They said that it’s a “sensory and emotional experience. ” A translation: pain has physical and emotional sides, and it exists even if there is no identifiable cause. In other words, the pain simply exists because the individual feels (or thinks he or she feels) it. Persistent pain can have a psychological toll on an individual’s life. The following list of ideas aren’t atypical for a chronic pain patient to have when dealing with the painful symptoms.

 

  • I can not work since I am in so much pain, so I am worthless for my loved ones.
  • I do not even feel like myself anymore since my whole life revolves round this annoyance.
  • I’m so lonely and isolated because no one understands my pain.
  • I’m whining too much about my annoyance, I’m such a weakling! I must just put on a happy face.
  • I can’t even do the simplest tasks anymore. I’m a failure.

 

With thoughts such as that dominating your mind, it can be difficult to fully deal with your pain. The psychological aspect can still make you feel trapped with the pain, although you might be taking actions to take care of the physical elements of your pain. A psychologist can help you deal with the psychological impact of chronic pain.

 

Utilizing behavioral treatment techniques, a psychologist can help you identify and change negative thoughts, ideas that can aggravate your pain. The psychologist can help you cope with anxiety, any depression, or other mood disorders related to chronic pain. What happens in sessions with your psychologist is left up to you, but it’s a time to be completely and totally truthful about how chronic pain is affecting your ideas, relationships, career, and self-esteem. The main goal is to help you live your life fully, restoring your overall health and wellness, mentally.

 

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900

 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

 

Additional Topics: Wellness

 

Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

.video-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 63%; padding-top: 35px; height: 0; overflow: hidden;}.video-container iframe{position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 90%; border=none; max-width:100%;}

 

TRENDING TOPIC: EXTRA EXTRA: New PUSH 24/7®? Fitness Center

 

 

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "How Psychologists Can Help With Chronic Pain | Central Chiropractor" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Recent Posts

Exploring Support Therapies for Endometriosis: A Holistic Approach

For individuals living with cyclical or chronic endometriosis symptoms, can incorporating support therapies help in… Read More

March 18, 2024

Herniated Disc Treatment: Effects and Benefits of Traction Therapy

Can individuals with herniated discs find the relief they are looking for from traction therapy… Read More

March 18, 2024

Safe Egg Alternatives for Allergy Sufferers

Can using egg substitutes or replacements be safe for individuals with an egg allergy? Substitutes… Read More

March 15, 2024

Restoring Spinal Disc Height: How Decompression Therapy Can Help

Can individuals with spinal pain in their necks and back utilize decompression therapy to restore… Read More

March 15, 2024

The Power of Cosmetic Acupuncture for Anti-Aging

For individuals wanting to improve or maintain skin health, can incorporating acupuncture help improve skin… Read More

March 14, 2024

Managing Sciatica Without Surgery: Effective Treatment Options

Can non-surgical treatments like acupuncture and spinal decompression provide relief to individuals dealing with sciatica?… Read More

March 14, 2024