Accepting a Chronic Pain Diagnosis

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17 Feb

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

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

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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10 Feb

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

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.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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7 Feb

The Different Types of Chronic Pain

Carolina Pain Scrambler

Chronic Pain, Neuropathic Pain, News Calmare Pain Scrambler, Calmare Therapy, Carolina Pain Scrambler, Carpal Tunnel, Chronic Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Diabetic Neuropathy, Greenville, Neuropathic Pain, Pain Treatment, Peripheral Neuropathy, Scrambler Therapy, Scrambler Treatment, South Carolina

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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27 Jan

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

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.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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24 Jan

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.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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22 Jan

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

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy

Over time, your diabetes can cause nerve damage that can lead to neuropathy. The increased and uncontrollable levels of glucose (sugar) cause the neuropathy. Commonly, affecting the nerves in your arms, hands, legs or feet for some even problems are seen in the digestive system, heart, blood vessels, and urinary tract. Pain, tingling, numbness, disabling, and even death are some complications of diabetic neuropathy. Often, diabetic neuropathy develops gradually and signs and symptoms may not appear until major damage has occurred to your nerves. The neuropathy can often be prevented if glucose levels are under control along with maintaining a healthy diet and exercise. The four common types of diabetic neuropathy include:

Peripheral Neuropathy

The common form of diabetic neuropathy is first seen in toes, feet, and legs and then in hands and arms. The signs and symptoms such as pain, tingling, burning sensation, cramps, numbness, or reduced feeling to pain and temperature are often heightened at night. Peripheral neuropathy also presents with muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, and increased sensitivity to touch, loss of balance, coordination. It may also show ulcers, infections, deformities, bone and joint pain in the foot.

Autonomic Neuropathy

In this neuropathy, you will notice neural changes in your autonomic system that controls your digestion, bowel, heart, bladder, lungs, eyes, and sex organs. The signs and symptoms you should look for are hypoglycemia unawareness, difficulty swallowing, erectile dysfunction in men, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence or retention. Other changes to notice include a change in perspiration, vaginal dryness, sexual difficulties in women, issues regulating body temperature, unable to regulate blood pressure and heart rate, increased heart rate while resting, and the ability for your eyes to adjust from light to dark. A few other issues are constipation, uncontrollable diarrhea, and the slow emptying of the stomach.

Radiculoplexus Neuropathy

This neuropathy is also known as diabetic amyotrophy, proximal, and femoral neuropathy that damages the nerves to the hips, thighs, gluts, or legs. This neuropathy is often seen in type 2 diabetics and older adults with diabetes. The signs and symptoms are often seen unilaterally, on one side of the body, and often worsen before you see any relief. Radiculoplexus neuropathy presents with abdominal swelling, weight loss, weak, atrophied thigh muscles and difficulty standing from a sitting position. You will also notice sudden, severe pain in hip, thigh, or gluts.

Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy is also referred to focal neuropathy that affects a particular nerve often in the head, torso, or leg. Usually occurs in older adults with diabetes, comes on suddenly without causing much long-term issues, and lasts for a few weeks to months. This neuropathy causes inability to focus on your eyes, double vision, aching behind one eye, or paralysis unilaterally known as Bell’s palsy. You may also notice pain in your lower back, pelvis, shin, foot, chest, abdomen, or front of the thigh.

Article Provided By: PainScale

Regular Post

20 Jan

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

Insomnia and Chronic Pain

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder which manifests as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or going back to sleep after prematurely waking. Individuals with insomnia often don’t get the recommended seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, leading to a lack of energy during their waking hours. Insomnia can be acute (lasting days or weeks) or chronic (lasting a month or more).

The symptoms of insomnia include, but are not limited to, difficulty sleeping, tiredness during waking hours, irritability, depression, anxiety and impaired concentration. Insomnia is more likely to affect individuals who are over the age of 60, who are under significant stress, who do not have a consistent schedule, or who have physical or mental health conditions, such as chronic pain. Women are also at a higher risk of developing insomnia than men.

Insomnia and chronic pain

The link between insomnia and chronic pain is complex — chronic pain can cause insomnia, and insomnia can increase chronic pain. One study found moderate to severe insomnia in 53% of study participants with chronic pain in comparison to just 4% of similar pain-free participants. Additionally, individuals with insomnia due to chronic pain report more severe, long-lasting pain in comparison to individuals with chronic pain without insomnia. Chronic pain can interrupt or even prevent sleep, and lack of restorative sleep can reduce pain thresholds and even produce pain symptoms.

Diagnosis

Insomnia is usually diagnosed during a physical exam and a discussion about sleep habits with a health care provider. A sleep study may also be recommended to check for other sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.

Treatments

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the primary treatments for insomnia. CBT involves learning how to change thought patterns and behaviors. This type of therapy is extremely effective in the treatment of insomnia.
Medication
Over-the-counter sleep medications are available for purchase; however, they are not designed for long-term use. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before taking these medications. Sleep medications for short- or long-term use can be prescribed by a health care provider. Caution should be exercised when taking medication for sleep because side effects, such as daytime drowsiness and dizziness, are common. Sleep medications can also be habit-forming.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Herbal and dietary supplements, such as melatonin and valerian, may also help with sleeplessness. However, the long-term safety of melatonin is unknown, and long-term use of valerian may be linked to liver damage. Consulting a health care provider before trying any supplement(s) is highly recommended.
Alternative therapies
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga and meditation, may help reduce stress and improve sleep quantity and quality.
Sleep hygiene
Practicing good sleep hygiene may help ease insomnia. Sleep hygiene involves reducing exposure to light before bedtime, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, and keeping the bedroom dark and quiet.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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17 Jan

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

How Chronic Pain Impacts Older Adults

Chronic pain can affect many aspects of life, such as sleep, mood and physical activity. This is especially true for older adults (>65).

Chronic pain and sleep

Individuals with chronic pain often deal with sleep issues. Frequent waking can occur after experiencing a day of heightened pain. For some individuals, the natural act of turning over in bed can cause pain. Sleep issues are especially prevalent in the older adult chronic pain population. As people age, the body’s production of melatonin naturally decreases resulting in reduced sleep. Older adults are twice as likely to report difficulty falling asleep and increased time spent in bed. Due to lack of sleep, the body is not able to properly restore energy reserves, which leads to fatigue and inactivity the next day. A vicious cycle of bad quality sleep, lower pain thresholds and the reduced ability to cope with chronic pain may result.

Chronic pain and depression

The relationship between chronic pain and depression is complex. Chronic pain can cause depression, and depression can lead to heightened chronic pain levels. Older adults are more reticent to share any experienced mental health symptoms with a health care provider, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. Depression can disrupt cognitive function and create a lack of concern about healthy eating, which can result in malnutrition and low energy levels.

Chronic pain and physical activity

The idea of exercise can seem counterintuitive as a pain-reduction method. However, gentle exercise can actually decrease pain levels. Because the experience of chronic pain is highly individualized, the choice of exercise should be, also. Older adults may be hesitant to exercise due to the fear of falling. Walking or warm-water exercise is often recommended for older adults.

Article Provided By: PainScale

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15 Jan

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

Chronic Pain Is Often Invisible

Because chronic pain often doesn’t show any visible symptoms, friends, colleagues or even family often have a difficult time understanding the impact that chronic pain has on an individual’s life. Also, because the cause of chronic pain is sometimes difficult to diagnose, physicians may not take an individual’s pain levels seriously. Since chronic pain is often invisible, these are some of the reasons it can be difficult to diagnose.

Various reasons for disbelief

Medical students only receive a few hours of training in pain management. This does not provide a sufficient understanding of the experiences of individuals with chronic pain. Unfortunately, this can lead to health care providers dismissing an individual’s pain if an identifiable cause is not apparent. Certain factors may play into the disbelief of an individual’s chronic pain, such as their young age or healthy appearance. Some health care providers may dismiss individuals with chronic pain as drug-seekers or individuals with a mental illness.

The effect of skepticism

Not only do individuals with chronic pain cope with physical symptoms on a daily basis, they often have to deal with skepticism from others, especially if their chronic pain is “invisible.” This can lead to doubting oneself, low self-esteem, isolation and depression. It is important for individuals with chronic pain to find support, whether among trusted family and friends, in a support group or with a medical professional.

Doctors who specialize in chronic pain

An individual’s chronic pain should be acknowledged and validated during a visit to a health care provider. Having an open dialogue about chronic pain with a health care provider builds trust. Asking for a referral to a health care provider who is specially trained in pain management, such as a physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician) or an anesthesiologist, is a good first step in receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Article Provided By: PainScale

Regular Post

13 Jan

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

Lifestyle for People with Chronic Pain

Individuals with chronic pain can take an active role in leading healthier, happier lives by incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into their everyday routines.

Making self-care a priority

Oftentimes, family and work take precedence over self-care. This can lead individuals with chronic pain to put symptoms of pain and fatigue on the back-burner. Unfortunately, by doing this, pain levels and fatigue can increase and family relationships and work are ultimately neglected. Individuals should make self-care a priority to ensure that other aspects of their lives remain healthy, too.

Managing stress

Juggling work, family and personal obligations naturally creates stress which can easily become amplified during an intense bout of chronic pain. Unfortunately, chronic pain also tends to amplify stress. This can become a harsh, never-ending cycle. Enjoyable activities, such as taking a walk, reading a book, listening to music or watching a funny movie (laughter is good medicine) distract the mind from pain and ease stress.

Exercising and meditation

Gentle exercise, meditation and massage are valuable tools in an effective pain management plan. By staying active and focusing on breathing, the body and mind relax, which can have a positive impact on chronic pain.

Eating healthy

Individuals should eat “the rainbow” by incorporating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables into their diet. Fruits and veggies contain loads of antioxidants that promote the battle of free radicals (unstable atoms that can cause chronic pain and other health conditions).

Article Provided By: PainScale

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