There are 7 common myths of chronic pain sufferers that are easy to believe and a reasonable solution. Often times people who suffer from chronic pain cycle through the trap of thinking one or several of these myths will help them with their pain problems when in reality there is only one reasonable solution. The chronic pain cycle can make one feel that an easy answer from a doctor would offer them quick relief and the solution that offers long term help would only make the pain worsen.
Common Myth 1 of Chronic Pain
The common myth number one of chronic pain is that I should stay in bed and rest. This myth is false when one has ruled out injury. Chronic fatigue does require that one rest more than most, but when it comes to chronic pain, returning to movement and work is better for recovery and preventing recurrence rather than bed rest. Being immobile and bed rest for more than two days have never shown to be beneficial.
Myth 2 that is Common to Chronic Pain
The second myth that is common to chronic pain sufferers is that a scan will give you a diagnosis. X-rays, CT or MRI scans may occasionally be helpful. In findings like disc degeneration, arthritis, disc bulges and fissures are common in the pain free populations and are not necessarily the cause for your pain. These test will not then will not be helpful in diagnosing the cause of your chronic pain.
STOP- Says Myth 3 of Chronic Pain
The third common myth of chronic pain tells you to stop you are causing damage if it hurts you. The level of pain that is experienced is often a poor measure of injury or tissue damage. Even if an activity is painful. It is not always an accurate sign of doing harm. A physical therapist can help you develop a program for you to move safely.
One thing that I have learned throughout my twenty plus year journey with fibromyalgia is that I have to treat this as a journey. Each day is a learning a new normal for me. I share how I begin to find my healthier journey here. No not every day is perfect nor am I considering myself well, but I am journeying to a new normal.
Limited Function Means There Is Nothing to Do
In common myth number four, you find that chronic pain sufferers feel catastrophic about the meaning of pain. They are often trapped in a vicious cycle of avoidance if behavior, pain and disability. You may often hear them say, “my pain has me limited and I mean there is nothing else that I can do.” A physical therapist can help interpret pain and use exercise to break the cycle and reduce the pain one feels.
Bending and Lifting Will Make The Pain Worse
It may be painful to bend and lift with back pain, but developing the mobility and strength to bend and lift is important. The fifth common myth of chronic pain sufferers deals with low back pain. Many types of exercise including weight training can bring great benefits. Core strength training helps ease the pain of the low back area, and make you able to move more freely. Learning to properly lift by bending at ones knees is also an important factor. Knowing that you do not have a bulging or degenerative disc is another key in keeping your spin healthy.
Strong Pain Killers Help Me Manage My Pain
With the opioid epidemic reacting an all time high in the last few years, we have realized that strong pain killers were once way too easy to obtain and also way to easy to become reliant. Solutions that focus on opioids for managing pain at best mask people’s physical problems and delay impede recovery. The worst cases that were seen to be dangerous and deadly. In 2010, opioid related deaths roses 21,088 to 49,860 in 2019. The dramatic increase of deaths due to opioid addiction is at a 4% hike even over that over heroin reports the CDC. These medications are not treating the chronic pain of patients, but masking the symptoms and causing an addiction which is leading to death.
The Final Common Myth of Chronic Pain
The seventh and last common myth of chronic pain we will discuss today is that of surgery. Many times chronic pain sufferers feel that their last hope is to have surgery or interventional procedures, but these have a very limited role, if any, in management of low back pain. Only about 1-5 % of low back pain is caused by serious disease or injury. The most helpful thing for low back pain is strengthening the core muscles.
One Reasonable Solution to Chronic Pain
The one reasonable solution to chronic pain is a low-impact, strength building exercise plan. Physical therapist can easily work with chronic pain sufferers to lay out a program for follow through on a daily basis at home. Core and strength training do not have to be done with heavy weights, but need to be done consistently.
When people with chronic pain hear the word exercise, they often run in their minds in the other direction. Finding a plan that works for you will help you manage the pain and keep it at bay for the most part more any any of the 7 common myths of chronic illness mentioned above. Check with your local physical therapist, check out Holy Yoga, Yoga with Adriene, Autoimmue Strong, or just walk around the block. Movement that works for you is better than no movement at all and it is better than the 7 common myths of chronic illness.