Why Pain Management Is Important

by Robert F. Read My Articles, Learn More... Much of the medical field is focused upon curing the conditions, diseases, illnesses, and injuries that cause patients uncomfortable symptoms. However, it isn’t always possible for the root cause of discomfort to be cured. When that’s the case, it’s extremely important for patients to have their symptoms managed so that they don’t negatively impact their lives. That’s especially important for those who are experiencing long term chronic pain.

How Chronic Pain Affects Your Life

When most people think about how pain affects them, they think about the temporary physical discomfort. After all, that summarizes the experiences that the majority of the population has with pain. However, for those who have long term conditions which cause pain, the reality of their experiences is very different. Chronic pain affects one’s life in a number of ways:

•    The physical sensation of pain

•    The way in which the sensation of pain restricts movement

•    The ways that this can constrain a person’s social, academic, and professional activities

•    The ways in which pain affects one psychologically: increased stress, anger, sadness, helplessness

•    The repercussions of the above: curtailed social life, professional career, or academic ambition

Social and Relationship Issues Related to Pain

Severe and long term pain symptoms can have serious effects on an individual’s social life and the relationships they have with other people. Playing with one’s children, for example, is a bonding activity which cannot easily be replaced by other actions. Having a healthy intimate relationship with one’s partner can also be negatively impacted by chronic pain. Being able to travel to visit relatives and friends, or to even take part in regular social activities, is very important for building and maintaining relationships.

Pain and Psychology

Being in pain can increase brain chemicals and hormones related to stress. It can also decrease the chemicals which result in happiness and contentment. It’s important to understand that pain management is vital not only because it has a purely emotional impact, but also because it directly and physiologically impacts the way in which one’s brain works. Patients suffering from pain can have anger, anxiety, and depression issues as a result.

The emotional results of chronic pain should not be underplayed either. Patients who find themselves stuck in their careers, socially isolated, and feeling helpless because of their pain may feel despair, loneliness, and worthlessness as a result. All of these feelings can lead or contribute to psychological disorders as well.

Getting Help

For patients whose pain is beginning to impact their lives in these ways, it’s critical to get help. A pain management clinic can be an excellent resource. These clinics are staffed with professionals who are able to help patients regain their quality of life by reducing or even eliminating their pain related symptoms. Pain management clinics specialize in many, many different pain reduction strategies, making it more likely that patients will find help. Medication management, surgery, and alternative therapies can all be employed, singly or in combination, to alleviate the patient’s pain.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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