HOW FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS HELP WITH CHRONIC PAIN

 
For many people who suffer from chronic pain, depression is an unfortunate consequence, but research shows that people in comforting relationships are more likely to avoid depression.  People who indicated they were in secure relationships and felt supported in their social life were less likely to suffer from depression.  Nurturing relationships can improve our mental health, despite the presence of chronic pain.  Ultimately, having healthy emotional support at home can go a long way toward alleviating depression.  

Chronic pain can make you feel isolated, afraid, and disrupt your normal lifestyle.  It’s estimated that one in three people suffer from chronic  pain.  Don’t let pain consume your life, start taking back control of your life.   There are more important things in your life to focus on, such as friends, family, work, and hobbies.  Chronic pain support groups can be a great way to realize that the pain you are having, and the emotions that come with it are not unusual.  

The people in your life need to know how you are feeling, you can’t expect them to read minds.  Staying  silent will only cause them to feel estranged from you.  On the other hand, sharing too much can cause them to feel overwhelmed.  The right amount of communication is key. Giving your loved ones or friends a chance to help you in some way can also make them feel closer to you.  Our friends and family members often want to help us but don’t always know how to take the first step.

Don’t let chronic pain keep you from interacting with friends.  Canceling plans can be disappointing for all concerned, so if you can manage some level of activity with your pain, you should.  Dealing with chronic pain can be frustrating, but communicating and staying  close to loved ones and friends will help you cope with daily living.  Healthy relationships have a balance between support and encouraging independence.  Good communication and keeping your relationships strong in spite of pain is VITAL.

Also keep in mind that exercise leads to a healthier body, and a healthier body feels less pain.  Strong toned muscles feel less pain than unused muscles.  Exercise will give you more of the energy you need to overcome pain, and when you are fit, you’ll feel better about yourself-more in control.

Lastly, identifying and reducing sources of constant stress in your life can help diminish pain.  Fostering social interactions through support  groups and maintaining a POSITIVE outlook are good coping strategies.  STAY ACTIVE!

Take care!

Gail, PTA

Joint Health

     For many, the daily complaints of sore and achy joints has made even the simplest of activities quite difficult.

Joint discomfort has perhaps become the most common of all physical complaints, affecting millions of Americans.

Joint pain can range from moderate, to severe, to debilitating. Although arthritis is frequently the cause of chronic joint 

pain, the symptom can be the result of other factors including muscle weakness, loss of flexibility, poorly aligned bones, bursitis 

or simple repetitive use or a soft tissue injury. Weight gain could possibly be the chief factor with the latest research noting that for 

every 2 pounds you are over weight it increases your risk for osteoarthritis by 9%. For every pound you lose, you are removing 4 lbs from 

across the knees.

   

Exercise

     

     The last thing you may want to do with an aching  joint is exercise it. But a vast body of research clearly shows that exercise is extremely 

effective in restoring function, movement, and flexibility -and, believe it or not, in reducing aches and stiffness. Proper exercise is key, consult 

your doctor and request Physical Therapy.

God bless your exercise endeavor,

Rick, PTA

Aquatic Therapy Can Help Chronic Pain

Feeling  helpless, painful, lonely, anxious, depressed and even angry at times?  Does your pain have you down?  Most people with chronic pain struggle physically, emotionally, and mentally because pain wakes them up in the morning and puts them to bed at night.  Day-to-day movement becomes a chore, pain continues to progress, and muscles continue to get weaker.  Have you tried every therapy out there and not had the results you’re searching to find?  Aquatic therapy might be an option for you!

One of the best ways to decrease pain is to move, but the barrier is moving on “land” is painful.  What is the missing link?  The pool!  The pool offers a buoyancy assisted environment that allows people to do exercises without the joint compression and body weight they are used to in normal day-to-day life.  The pool also offers 3D resistance so every movement made in the pool counts.  The combination of water resistance and buoyancy reduces the overall stress on the body allowing low impact exercise and strengthening to occur with less pain.  Movement and exercise will also help mentally to help release endorphins that can positively effect your mood.  The pool will leave you feeling empowered, motivated, with less pain pain, and closer to your goals

If you feel aquatic therapy is a potential option for you, talk to your health care provider and contact me at Agape Therapy. 

Life is too short to spend it in pain.  Give aquatic therapy a try!

Ellie, DPT