“I don’t believe in pain management anymore; I believe in trying to cure persistent pain.” – Dr. Moskowitz
Anyone who has experienced and suffered from ongoing or chronic pain knows of the emotional toll that it can have. The effects of pain can transcend the physical body and have a very real impact on the emotions, the mind, and the general vitality and wellbeing of an individual.
This is a clinically established reality in the realm of pain treatment.
As Stanford’s Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, noted when speaking on Pain and the Brain,
“Chronic pain is not all about the body, and it’s not all about the brain—it’s everything. Target everything. Take back your life.”
As a result, effective treatment of chronic pain and pain management often incorporates the mental/emotional aspect of the patient. In fact, experienced medical professionals and bodywork practitioners are well aware of the interwoven issues of chronic pain and emotional distress and depression.
Patrick Wallm a professor of physiology at St. Thomas’s Hospital Medical School, London and a fellow of the Royal Society. In his book Pain: The Science of Suffering, Wall notes that,
“Pain is always accompanied by emotion and meaning so that each pain is unique to the individual. The word pain is used to group together a class of combined sensory-emotional events. The class contains many different types of pain, each of which is a personal, unique experience for the person who suffers.”
Happy Holidays? Maybe Not So Much.
In addition to the well-understood tendency of chronic pain to lead to or trigger mental distress and even depression, there is the perennial epidemic of holiday-related depression. At this point, it is fair to ask, is depression during the holidays a real thing?
According to a blog article at HealthPartners.com it can be,
“Some people experience something called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern. This is what some people know as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s a clinical depression that tends to present itself beginning in late fall and can go on until early spring. It’s known to be linked with changes in light, so it’s more common in northern climates.
Research shows that clinical depression with a seasonal pattern impacts as much as 6 percent of the population. But people who don’t normally struggle with depression can also have issues due to there being less daylight in the wintertime. The limited exposure to natural light can impact our body’s rhythms and neurochemical balance.”
For those who are already suffering the physical and emotional ravages of chronic pain, the holidays can often add a debilitating element to their already precarious emotional state.
The danger lies in the fact that issues such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring.
According to the website Psychiatry.org, the most difficult months for people with SAD in the United States tend to be January and February.
In addition, a survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) a few years ago determined that a majority of those surveyed reported that the holidays contribute to their feeling sad or dissatisfied, while 66% have experienced loneliness, 63% too much pressure, and 57% unrealistic expectations.
Finding Relief from Pain and Hope for the Holidays by Becoming Pain-Free
Perhaps one of the best gifts many people could receive for the holidays is relief from chronic pain. And that is the goal of Pain and Performance Solutions all throughout the year, by the way.
While many of us only experience acute or temporary pain that can be treated easily or dissipates on its own, far too many suffer from chronic pain that can last for months or, in severe cases, even for years.
And it is this latter type of pain that tends to be the most distressing and, in many cases, the most debilitating, both physically and emotionally.
The good news is that, at Pain and Performance Solutions, we specialize in diagnosing, locating, and treating a wide variety of chronic pain issues.
Because there is such a diverse range of possible causes, it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment before considering any specific therapy or treatment. Issues that range from upper or lower back pain to chronic neck pain, joint pain, and other types of pain can often be treated effectively with different therapies and techniques.
Depending on the location and type of pain you are experiencing, we can implement treatment using therapies such as Anatomy in Motion, or AiM, Active Release Technique®, Neurokinetic Therapy™ (NKT), and Proprioceptive – Deep Tendon Reflex, or P-DTR®.
Don’t Endure the Holidays in Pain – We Want to Help You with Your Pain Issues
We understand the interconnections between the mind, body, and emotions. And we also understand that chronic pain need not dictate your mental, physical, and emotional state.
When you come in for your initial consultation and assessment at Pain and Performance Solutions, we will learn all we can about your present pain and condition, along with any history of discomfort, as well as your current level of activity.
Effectively treating and relieving your pain can start once we understand where and how your pain started.
A full examination will help us determine which form of treatment is best suited to get you on your road to recovery. Your trust in us is key, as is your honesty. Ultimately, getting your body healthy and working properly is the only way to achieve total recovery.
Our goal is to work through the sequence of pain and dysfunction in order to get your body healthy and working properly and to achieve total recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and will answer any questions that you may have.
You can reach us at (707) 636-4404 or by filling out our online contact form.