Chronic Pain, Pain Relief, Peripheral Neuropathy, Nerve Pain Treatment, Pain Management, Carolina Pain Scrambler, Greenville South Carolina, Cope

10 Tips to Cope With Chronic Pain

1. Practicing meditation or deep, controlled breathing

Deep breathing and meditation guide the body and mind into a state of relaxation. Deep breathing involves slowly inhaling through the nose (so the belly expands), holding for a few counts and slowly exhaling through the mouth (so the belly deflates). Meditation involves the repetition of a positive word or phrase (mantra) while deep breathing in a comfortable position.

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2. Easing stress in daily life

Undesirable feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, sadness and stress can escalate the body’s pain response. Reducing everyday stress triggers helps reduce chronic pain symptoms.

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3. Finding a support group

Engaging with other people who have chronic pain helps individuals feel less isolated and better understood. Individuals may also be introduced to new coping methods or treatment options by other members in the group.

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4. Exercising to release natural endorphins

Exercise releases endorphins, which are brain chemicals that support mood while simultaneously blocking pain signals. Exercise, when done in moderation, can help reduce chronic pain.

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5. Keeping a daily journal of pain level and activities

Keeping a daily journal not only helps express feelings and emotions, it also provides insight into chronic pain trends and effective coping mechanisms. Sharing a pain journal with a health care professional helps them better understand how an individual’s chronic pain is managed between visits, which leads to better treatment.

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6. Limiting alcohol intake

The consumption of alcohol often disrupts sleep. Because sleep issues are often a symptom of chronic pain conditions, cutting back alcohol intake or nixing the habit altogether can increase the quality of sleep which promotes pain reduction.

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7. No smoking

In addition to the many negative health consequences of smoking cigarettes, smoking also causes circulation problems which can aggravate pain levels.

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8. Scheduling a massage

Massage therapy can both lessen muscle tension and reduce stress. Getting regular massages can help reduce pain levels.

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9. Eating a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, aid healthy digestion, improve blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight. Choosing anti-inflammatory foods is especially helpful for individuals with chronic pain conditions.

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10. Taking the focus away from the pain

Focusing on positive things or engaging in an activity that keeps the mind busy diverts attention away from chronic pain. While pain may not be fully alleviated, distraction is a powerful pain-reduction tool.

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Article Provided By: PainScale
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If you would like to discuss what Carolina Pain Scrambler do to help relieve your chronic pain symptoms or receive more information on our treatment process, please do not hesitate to call us at 864-520-5011 or you can email us at info@carolinapainscrambler.com
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Beating Insomnia with Chronic Pain

Approximately two-thirds of people with chronic pain also suffer from insomnia. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to with different medical specialists to treat both pain and insomnia. For example, certain pain medications can improve sleep while others disturb it. The first step to improving insomnia is to understand its cause.

For some people with chronic pain, insomnia may be caused by an inadequate bedtime routine. This may include using electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and TVs to help individuals fall asleep, which only make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Ensuring a quiet environment and turning off all electrical devices two hours before bedtime can help improve the quality of sleep.

Because pain intensifies at night, it can become impossible to sleep. Some individuals may benefit from using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help them fall asleep at night. This includes a variety of methods to improve sleep and change negative thoughts to positive ones that promote sleep. Cognitive behavioral therapy is preferred over medications as it does not contain side effects that may be counterproductive to sleep.

The long-term goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help individuals control negative thoughts that keep them awake at night. Relaxation training is also helpful for individuals to reduce muscle tension and distract them from thoughts of pain. Techniques include guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing muscle relaxation exercises. Individuals are encouraged to participate in three to eight sessions with a trained behavioral therapist to become familiar with this form of treatment.

Along with reconstructive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques, individuals can follow these tips to create healthy sleep habits:

  • Do not use the bed for anything except sleeping. Avoid watching TV or reading books in bed as this will help the body and brain know that it’s time for sleep when your head hits the pillow.
  • Only go to bed when tired. If you are unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and go to another room. Return to bed when you are tired.
  • Wake up at the same time every day and go to sleep at the same time every night. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep at night.
  • Avoid napping during the day.
  • Exercise early in the day and do not exercise close to bedtime.
  • Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol intake.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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Accepting a Chronic Pain Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis of chronic pain can be devastating; yet a clear diagnosis can also bring peace of mind to those who have internally questioned why they are in pain. As with any chronic health condition, chronic pain requires individuals to actively make changes in their lives to reduce the severity of the condition. This usually involves a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle changes and psychological help.

After receiving a chronic pain diagnosis, individuals often go through stages of emotions similar to the Kübler-Ross model of grief. They are grieving life as they once knew it. Emotions that may be experienced include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Shock and denial
    In the beginning, individuals in chronic pain may resist going to needed doctor’s appointments because it may be difficult to face the truth. Even after a diagnosis, individuals may be in shock or denial and not agree with the diagnosis or treatment plan(s).
  • Anger
    After the initial phase of denial, anger usually arises. Not only can the experience of pain cause angry feelings, but receiving a diagnosis of chronic pain can lead to frustration and irritation. Individuals may ponder, “Why me?” or “How could this have happened?”
  • Bargaining, fear and anxiety
    Individuals with chronic pain may experience fear about the future. “What if” thoughts often creep into the psyche. Struggling to find the “meaning of life” after a chronic pain diagnosis is common.
  • Depression
    Thirty to fifty percent of individuals with chronic pain also deal with depression. Chronic pain can cause depression, and depression can increase chronic pain; it is often a vicious cycle.
  • Acceptance and hope
    While most individuals with chronic pain eventually gain acceptance of their condition, some individuals never reach this stage as they are stuck in anger, fear or depression. Accepting a chronic pain diagnosis does not mean giving into it. An individual may experience pain for the rest of their life, but they can always control their reaction to it with treatment(s) and lifestyle changes. Acceptance takes time. Adjusting to a major lifestyle change is a process. Psychotherapy, group therapy or simply family support are all important factors in finding acceptance of and hope for a chronic pain diagnosis. Anti-depressant medications are available for those diagnosed with clinical depression.

These emotional stages do not follow a strict schedule nor are they always sequential. People with chronic pain may experience many emotions at once or their emotions may fluctuate among the stages.

Individuals with chronic pain experience a plethora of emotions in relation to their chronic pain: anger, frustration, anxiety, depression, etc. These are common emotional reactions; however, when they affect daily living, they should be shared with a health care provider. Talking with a trusted family member, seeing a mental health counselor or joining a support group can help an individual properly deal with the emotional aspects of chronic pain.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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Understanding People With Chronic Pain

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts beyond six months despite the treatment of the underlying injury or condition, if one exists. Differing from acute pain that tends to result from a specific injury, chronic pain does not always have an identifiable source. The lack of reprieve from pain can be exasperating and exhausting.

Frequently, someone who has never experienced chronic pain has difficulty understanding the complexity of it. When an individual has a family member or friend with chronic pain, they often do not know how best to support them.

Some suggestions on how to support a spouse, friend, or relative with chronic pain include the following:

Learn about pain and symptoms

Similar to most medical conditions, every person with chronic pain has a unique, individual experience. People that live with chronic pain do not always show any visible symptoms, so it is helpful to ask them about their condition and daily life with chronic pain. One of the best things to do to provide support is merely to listen to their answers. Some questions to ask include the following:

  • Where is the pain?
  • When did the pain start?
  • Is there is a coexisting condition, such as depression, inflammatory bowel disease, peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.?
  • How does chronic pain affect daily life?
  • What things help?
  • What things hurt?

Demonstrate good listening skills by paying close attention and making an effort to understand.

Understand the pain scale

The pain scale is a tool that is used to measure and describe the intensity of the pain an individual feels at any given moment. Values from 1 to 10 are used to describe the level of pain. A rating of 1 indicates “free of pain and feeling wonderful”; whereas, a rating of 10 indicates the “most horrible pain ever experienced.” Once familiar with the pain scale, asking the person with chronic pain what their pain level number is at a particular time helps to better understand and support them.

Look for signs of pain

Although it can be challenging to determine if and when a person is in pain, some symptoms are indicative of high pain levels. These symptoms include decreased activity, teeth grinding, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, mood swings, moaning, hand wringing, irritability, restlessness and grimacing.

Show empathy

Understanding more about a loved one’s chronic pain and what they face on a daily basis helps develop empathy. Being empathetic means making an effort to understand the behaviors and feelings of another person by looking at the world through their perspective. Part of empathy includes respecting the effort level of the person with chronic pain. While they are coping with chronic pain, they are simultaneously trying to look normal and sound upbeat and happy as frequently as possible. Although they may not be as active as they once were, they live their lives to the best of their ability.

Respect physical limitations

It is impossible for another person to determine how well a person with chronic pain can move or what their optimal activity level is at any given time. While it is sometimes possible to read it on their face or in their body language, this is not always the case. It is important to respect their physical capabilities. When the person in chronic pain says that they need to lie down, sit down or take medication immediately, listen to them without judgement. This may mean that they are experiencing a sudden bout of pain and cannot continue with the current activity. Also, understand that just because the individual with chronic pain can do a physical activity, such as walking, on a particular day, this does not mean they can do the same activity on other days. Patience and respect is key. If the person with chronic pain is moving slowly or cancels a previous commitment on short notice, do not take it personally.

Provide support

Always be supportive and include the individual with chronic pain in daily life whether they are mobile or not. Sometimes, a loved one may need assistance with dressing, bathing, getting to the doctor, or grocery shopping. Offering support on a regular basis provides them with a sense of normalcy. Continue to invite the individual in chronic pain to social engagements despite the fact that they may have to cancel at the last minute. Just because a person cannot always join in certain activities or has recently cancelled plans, does not mean that you should stop asking them to join you. Chronic pain is isolating enough.

Be aware of depression symptoms

Because changes in chronic pain levels are unpredictable, chronic pain is often exasperating not only physically, but mentally as well. Chronic pain is often accompanied by secondary depression. Depression can lead to the individual hiding their pain, masking their emotions, and isolating themselves. Be sure to discuss any depression symptoms you notice with the person in chronic pain and offer them love, support and understanding. Also, make sure to advise them to discuss any depression symptoms with a health care provider.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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Neuropathy and Chronic Back Pain

As many as 10 percent of the world’s population currently have neuropathic pain. Chronic neuropathic pain, sometimes referred to as peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neuritis, is caused by nerve damage.

How Does Neuropathic Pain Develop?

Neuropathic pain differs from other kinds of pain. For example, when a person breaks a bone, the nerves located at the site of the break carry pain signals to the brain. But with neuropathic pain, the damage is contained in the nerves themselves.

In most cases, neuropathy is caused when a dysfunction occurs in the way nerves respond to trauma or injury. The nerves become hypersensitive and send false pain signals to the brain when the original injury or trauma has actually healed. Most injuries begin in the peripheral or central nervous system.

Back Pain May Result In Neuropathy

Any type of condition or injury that compresses a nerve can lead to neuropathy. A herniated disc is a good example of a back injury that can result in neuropathy. Other forms of neuropathic pain that originate in the spine or back include the following:

  • Sciatica or chronic pain that radiates down the leg
  • Cervical radiculopathy or chronic pain that runs down the arm
  • Failed back surgery or any pain that occurs after surgery and persists

Other forms of neuropathy may be caused by complex regional pain syndrome, diabetes, injections, injury, disease, substance abuse or exposure to toxins. However, the cause of neuropathy is not always apparent.

Early Treatment Is Critical

Treatment of neuropathy in its early stages offers the best opportunity for successful treatment. Exposure to chronic pain may cause the central nervous system to become hypersensitive over time. In rare cases, this can lead to central sensitization, when even the slightest touch causes pain.

Neuropathy may also lead to other health problems, such as mobility issues, sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression and social isolation.

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The Different Types of Chronic Pain

There are several different types of chronic pain. Here are a few of the types that might impact you.

Neuropathic Pain

The human body contains a network of nerves called the peripheral nervous system. It consists of nerves that weave in and out of the spinal column to other parts of the body. These nerves transmit pain signals to the brain. If they are damaged (usually through injury or disease), this leads to neuropathic pain. When the nerves begin to malfunction, faulty pain signals are sent to the brain, thereby, leading to chronic neuropathic pain. An example of chronic neuropathic pain is when a nerve is crushed and damaged from an accident. The wound and bones may heal, but the nerve damage may lead to neuropathic chronic pain.

Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain occurs when part of the body sustains an injury or a medical condition is present. Nociceptive pain is categorized into four types: somatic, bone, muscle and visceral.

  • Somatic Pain
    Somatic pain develops from external factors such as an injury to the skin, bones, muscles or ligaments. It is described as sharp and throbbing pain.
  • Bone Pain
    If a person breaks a bone, the break eventually heals. An example of chronic somatic bone pain would be if the bone continues to cause pain even after it is healed.
  • Muscle Pain
    Post-workout soreness is not an example of chronic pain. If the muscle has been worked to the point of persistent pain and spasms, this is an example of chronic somatic muscle pain. Muscle pain can also occur from certain medical conditions.
  • Visceral Pain
    Visceral pain initiates from internal organs. The troublesome part about visceral pain is that the brain cannot pinpoint exactly where the pain is originating. Visceral pain can be “referred” pain from another part of the body. For example, pain may be felt in the lower back but is actually originating from the kidneys. Seeking the advice of a medical professional is critical for a proper diagnosis.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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Chronic Pain and Exercise

Chronic or persistent pain occurs when pain remains even when the injury that caused the pain in the first place has healed. Although tissue damage causes acute pain, chronic pain has less to do with tissue damage and more to do with the sensitivity of the nervous system. Research shows that exercise may be able to treat chronic pain effectively.

For a person with chronic pain, exercise might be the last thing on their mind. Chronic pain patients are at an increased risk of becoming less able to perform daily activities due to inactivity, such as walking, keeping up with household work, and even personal care. Exercise can be a primary form of treatment that gives control back to a chronic pain patient’s daily life.

Several studies show that exercise prevents deconditioning, which may cause pain to become worse over time. Deconditioning causes muscles to become weaker and makes it harder for the patient to move around without pain. Remember that exercise can be a form of medicine and should be treated as such. Daily exercise is just as important as taking daily medications.

When exercising with chronic pain, be sure to warm up properly to avoid an injury. Perform stretches at the end of your training session, not at the beginning as your muscles will be cold. Do short bursts of exercise at first and then gradually increase the amount of time you spend exercising. Start slowly and use the 0-10 scale to monitor your pain levels while exercising. If pain increases while exercising, stop and take a rest or pick it up again the next day.

Recommended exercises include the following:
  • Yoga
  • Stretching
  • Meditation
  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Stationary Bike
  • Resistance, strength, or bodyweight training
  • Pilates
  • Any aerobic activity that does not cause pain, such as tennis or golf

Article Provided By: PainScale

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What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is the communications network that connects the central nervous system and all other parts of the body. Some 20 million people in the United States have some type of peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can vary from numbness or tingling, to pricking sensations or muscle weakness. Severe symptoms include burning pain, muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction. In extreme cases, breathing may impeded, or your organs may fail.

Peripheral neuropathies may vary and follow distinct patterns. Symptoms may be experienced over a span of days, or for years. With acute neuropathies, symptoms may appear suddenly, progress rapidly, and resolve slowly. In chronic types, symptoms begin subtly and progress slowly. Though neuropathy may be painful and debilitating, it usually is not fatal.

Symptoms may be determined depending on which type of nerves are damaged. Motor nerves control voluntary movement of muscles. Sensory nerves deliver the feeling of a light touch or the pain of a cut. Autonomic nerves control organ activities that are automated such as breathing and digesting food. Some neuropathies may affect all three types of nerves while others only affect one or two types.

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Chronic Pain in the Workplace

Unless you have experienced day to day chronic pain, you cannot begin to imagine the physical and psychological burden many people live through. Chronic pain is an issue that is often not recognized in the workplace.

There is a term for people who work with chronic pain called “presenteeism,” which basically is the act of attending work while having an illness. However, presenteeism isn’t just attending work with a mild cold or the sniffles, it is going to work every day in spite of pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that are also present with chronic pain and sickness.

Presenteeism was recently studied by the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC), which concluded that though employees with chronic health conditions took on average, four sick days a year, they admitted to being unable to maintain productivity for an average of 57.5 days in a year.

The GCC study estimated that the cost of presenteeism was 10 times greater than absenteeism. Workers absent from work cost employers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia about $150 billion a year, but those attending work but were not fully productive cost them $1,500 billion.

The authors of the study made note of the importance for companies to improve productivity by concentrating on reducing presenteeism.

It is unsure as to whether employers are cognizant or even care about how many of their employees are experiencing chronic pain difficulties. And in the event that they do, what expectations do they maintain for these employees. Do they comprehend the extent of the difficulty had by employees who are experiencing pain?

Chronic Pain and Lost Productivity

According to another report from the Institute of Medicine Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care and Education, chronic pain is costing the U.S. economy somewhere in the range of $560 to $635 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. While many employees enduring pain choose to continue to work, they have difficulties maintaining productivity.

One potential solution – opioid pain medication – is no longer easily available, even for those who would not abuse the prescribed drugs and who want to be of use and have normal lives.

Research indicates about two million Americans misuse opioids, and a large portion of them end up in emergency rooms. However, that statistic does not acknowledge the millions of people that need pain medications and would use them responsibly.

Excessive prescribing guidelines – and fear of DEA oversight – keep doctors from giving prescriptions for pain medication, even those medicines that are comparatively safe and pose low risk of addiction. Guidelines and insurance reimbursement rules have essentially taken discretion away from responsible doctors in treating a patient’s pain.

Some patients suffering from chronic pain will forgo asking their doctors for pain medication due to the negative stigma that comes from opioid misuse and abuse.

Working with Pain

The greatest concern people who suffer from chronic pain have on a daily basis is how much longer they will be able to work. They fear their bosses will grow tired of the mistakes they make on the days they are hurting or when their focus is off due to pain and lack of ample sleep.

People with chronic pain are unsure as whether most employers and coworkers can truly commiserate and understand the overwhelming responsibility of maintaining a full-time job while living with chronic pain. Even if your employer is accommodating and allows workplace adjustments and the option of working from home on occasion, the basic demands of the job can still be too great to overcome when you are in pain.

Ideally, employers would offer possibilities for pain management on the job – in the form of wellness programs and workplace accommodation – so people could work to their full potential. Employees who feel supported will access all available aid, feel better, and perform better on the job.

However, most employers do not recognize how crucial their roles are in helping to manage the pain epidemic in the United States. They view chronic pain as a personal problem, rather than a work issue. Until those views change, people are left on their own to suffer and deal with working while being in pain.

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CRPS, Pain Relief, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Pain Management, Pain Treatment, Carolina Pain Scrambler Center, Greenville South Carolina

10 Questions About CRPS

1. What is CRPS?

CRPS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It may also be referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. It is a chronic pain condition. Chronic pain means lasting 6 months or more. With CRPS, your nerves are affected, sending pain signals to the brain without an easy to diagnose cause. It may be caused by a malfunction in your central or peripheral nervous systems.

2. Is Excessive Sweating a Symptom of CRPS?

Yes, many people who have CRPS have issues with sweating. This includes sweating too much or not sweating at all. It is very common to have both extremes come and go when you are diagnosed with CRPS.

3. I am Experiencing Memory Problems. Is this a Symptom of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Yes, many people with CRPS experience forgetfulness, cognitive impairment, and memory issues.

4. Will CRPS Spread to Other Parts of the Body?

While it is not guaranteed, it is common for CRPS to spread in many cases. If Complex Regional Pain Syndrome does spread, it is usually to nearby areas. For example, if you have CRPS in your arm, it may spread to your hand or shoulder. If you have pain in your leg, it may spread to your foot or buttocks.

5. Will CRPS Go Away on its Own?

Unfortunately, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome will not simply go away. This is why early diagnosis and treatment is critical. In some cases, people can go undiagnosed with CRPS for years; if there is a possibility that a person may have CRPS, going to see a doctor is imperative.

6. Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome a Life Long Disease?

There is no universal answer to this question. There are a variety of factors that may contribute to whether CRPS goes into remission or if a person will experience the symptoms for their entire life Chances may increase that a person achieves remission by having CRPS diagnosed by an expert as soon as symptoms are noticed.

7. Will Ice Help Alleviate the Pain?

In general, it is NOT recommended for those experiencing CRPS to use ice or hot and cold contrast therapy.

8. How Do I Find the Right Doctor?

It will be important to find a clinic that specializes or has a successful history or treating CRPS. Ask a primary care physician to provide a referral for a pain specialist who treats CRPS on a regular basis.

9. Can CRPS Be Treated with Medication?

Yes, there a variety of medications that can help with the pain that is experienced from CRPS. Since one medication is not necessarily better than the other, it will be important to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor.

10. Will a Nerve Block Help with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Yes, nerve blocks have been shown to be successful in treating CRPS; however, they may not consistently work. An individual’s response to treatment depends on the person and the variables surrounding their specific case of CRPS.

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