UK Health
Radio – The Back Pain Show – Living with Chronic Back Pain
After a very successful visit to the Back Pain Show at Earls
Court over the weekend, I thought it was only fitting that we concentrated on
chronic back pain management in the blog this week.
Chronic back pain can have emotional as well as physical
effects and a definitive diagnosis is always the best start. For those who, for whatever reason have to
live with chronic pain the emotional effects can include depression, anger,
anxiety, and a fear of re-injury that may actually affect the ability of a
person to return to work or to activities that they enjoy.
The emotional toll of chronic pain can also actually make
that pain worse. Anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and fatigue interact in complex
ways with chronic pain and may lead to a decrease in the body's production of
natural painkillers. Also, negative
feelings may increase the level of substances that intensify sensations leading
to a vicious cycle of pain.
About one in four workers have experienced low back pain
within the past three months, making it one of the most common types of pain
and the most frequent cause of disability in adults under 45. Although pain
medication can’t actually heal a back injury, it can relieve pain and open a
window for other treatments -- such as physical therapy -- to have a chance to
work. There are multiple categories and types of medications for back pain;
depending on how severe your symptoms are, and how long you’ve had the back
pain.
If you or someone you love suffers from chronic pain it is
important that they get help. There are many effective treatments available to
relieve pain so that you or your loved one can start living again.
The ideal treatment for chronic pain is a comprehensive
approach that addresses a person's physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.
Successful treatment requires choosing a life-long plan of wellness that may
include regular doctor’s visit, physical therapy, occupational therapy and even psychological
counselling.
If you suffer from chronic pain, the first thing to do is to
see a doctor and get treated. Other steps that can make living with chronic
pain more tolerable include the following:
- · Learning how to relax through deep breathing and other stress management techniques.
- · Setting achievable goals and being careful not to over do it on good days.
- · Engaging in positive affirmation of your efforts.
- · Building in rest, exercise, and relaxation times to your daily schedule.
- · Joining a chronic pain support group.
- · Understanding your medications, including their expected benefits and any side effects.
- · Cutting down or eliminate alcohol consumption. Pain often disrupts sleep and alcohol can further disrupt the sleep cycle.
- · Stopping smoking. Cigarettes can impair healing and have been identified as a risk factor in the development of many diseases including degenerative disc disease that is a leading cause of low back pain.
It can be difficult to live with
chronic back pain but I do hope these tips might make life a bit easier.Please note that the authors, producers and companies
themselves provide all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog,
which is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge and not
as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. So please do not
delay or disregard any medical advice received due to anything you hear on UK
Health Radio. UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United
Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly
sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com
Amanda
Thomas
UK Health
Radio
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