When we get hurt, pain signals are sent through our nervous system to our brain that leaves us saying “ouch.” From the scrape on your knee to the pain you feel after a surgery, our brain processes all forms of pain. Chronic pain, maybe from a degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis, can cause continual pain until it is properly treated. For some patients, stress and depression result from untreated or overly consuming pain levels. Southwest Spine and Pain Center targets chronic pain and designs treatment plans for patients to relieve stress while diminishing pain.
Scientists and researchers have found that chronic pain and depression often occur together. Chronic pain can worsen if it is left untreated and can in the same affect worsen depression symptoms. If the cycle is not broken, stress, depression, and pain will continue to affect and intensify each other. Studies on this topic found that people with severe depression feel more extreme pain.
There are things that people can do to manage their chronic pain and depression. Southwest Spine and Pain Center encourages their patients to look over the advice and tips to increase their chances of improving their symptoms.
Minimize your chances of developing chronic pain:
- If you have feelings of depression in the acute phases of your pain, inform your physician. Your pain doctor will need to appropriately create a treatment plan that considers both your mental state and your physical pain.
- Engage in physical exercises and other “distractions” to get your mind off focusing on your pain.
What are your stress triggers?
Keep a diary on when your back pain changes and what physical or mental changes trigger the pain. Try to identify stress and emotional triggers and what actions help lessen your anxiety.
Talk about your stress and anxiety:
Patients often believe that once their initial pain problem is resolved that their depression and anxiety will go away. However, some things change after a chronic pain problem is improved. For instance, you may not be able to do the activities you like because it could damage the rehabilitated problem. This can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and stress. A physician will be better able to diagnose and treat chronic pain when they are aware of all your symptoms, including depression.
Seek other help:
Your doctor may be able to consult with a mental health professional to better treat your chronic pain and depression. This team approach will allow two medical specialists to work together to monitor your treatment simultaneously. Some pain medication can actually make depression worse for a patient.
If you or someone you know is dealing with chronic pain and depression, call one of our medical staff members at Southwest Spine and Pain Center today.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2013
©Medical Marketing Solutions, 2013