5 myths about chronic pain
Chronic pain is a very common condition, yet it is something that is widely misunderstood by people who aren’t suffering from it.
If you are a sufferer you may have heard one or two of these lines from people who seem to find it hard to grasp.
1. “You seemed fine yesterday”
Non-sufferers don’t seem to understand that chronic pain can fluctuate day to day, week to week, and season to season. Chronic doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in pain 24/7. Explain to people that the symptoms come and go, and that you tend to have good and bad days.
2. “Have you tried this medication?”
Chronic pain isn’t something that can only be treated with drugs. Many sufferers find relief from a combination of medicine, physical therapy including acupuncture, exercise such as yoga, and meditation. Everyone is different, and while opioids may work for some individuals, others may benefit from another medication such as anti-depressants.
3. “We all experience pain as we age”
Our bodies do change as we get older, but chronic pain is not the same as the general aches and pains that many people experience. When it stops you getting out of bed, working, or participating in activities that you love, you know that you have chronic pain.
4. “Can’t you just meditate the pain away?”
While meditation can provide some relief, it is unlikely to remove the source of your chronic pain permanently. While the mind is a strong tool for pain relief, you need to address the root of the problem to provide long-term relief.
5. “Do you think maybe you’re just trying to get attention?”
Don’t feel as though you can’t tell people the truth about how bad the pain is. Just because you suffer from it regularly doesn’t make you an attention seeker or someone trying to get sympathy from others. Your pain is real and if it is impacting your life then it should be perfectly fine to discuss with close friends and family. Keeping quiet about what you are going through is not going to help.
Do you suffer from chronic pain? What have you found most difficult about it?
Related links:
How music can help relieve chronic pain
Overcoming pain using the power of the mind
The revolutionary new therapy for pain relief