Living with pain every day is not only physically draining but emotionally draining as well. Chronic pain affects your mental health, your relationships with family and friends, your work and your ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. You may be used to living with chronic pain, but that doesn’t make it any easier or right. So how do you know when it’s time to talk to your doctor about chronic pain?
When to Talk to Your Doctor about Chronic Pain
If you’ve never talked to a doctor about your chronic pain, do so today. Even if it’s “mild” pain, by prolonging treatment you may be making the situation worse. Also, why suffer? Your doctor can put you on a pain management program that can eliminate, or at the very least alleviate, your chronic pain symptoms.
If you have talked to a doctor about your chronic pain but didn’t have a positive experience — either because the doctor didn’t take you seriously or because the treatment was ineffective — don’t give up. You have the right to be taken seriously and treated with respect. You also have the right to explore all your options for chronic pain management. If you didn’t have a good experience with your first doctor, don’t be afraid to go to another one. If you like your doctor but don’t like the treatment program he recommended, go back to your doctor and discuss your other options for chronic pain treatment.
How to Talk to Your Doctor about Chronic Pain
It’s your right to be taken seriously and treated with respect. Approaching your doctor in an organized and prepared manner can help you achieve this convey the true pain you’re in. Here’s how to talk to your doctor about chronic pain:
* Bring a list of questions and concerns you’d like to go over with your doctor.
* Be specific about where it hurts.
* What type of pain is it: Aching? Shooting? Throbbing? Be specific.
* Does the pain move or change?
* How does it affect your ability to function?
* What makes it better or worse?
* Does dealing with the pain make you feel depressed, anxious or irritable?
* What medications are you taking? (This should include over-the-counter and herbal medicines.)
Chronic Pain Management at Casa Palmera
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, a holistic chronic pain program can help you regain control of your life. At Casa Palmera, we understand that treating chronic pain means healing both the mind and the body. We believe in the use of medical and psychological treatment for chronic pain management. This treatment includes a thorough examination and evaluation of your physical and psychological conditions.
The Casa Palmera Chronic Pain Program is led by physicians who specialize in treating patients who are compromised by pain and who have been unable to manage this pain without the help of medications. In addition to massage, our program includes therapies such as neurofeedback/biofeedback, stress reduction, yoga, laser therapy, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more.
Don’t let chronic pain run your life any more. Call Casa Palmera today.
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