Chronic Pain management Torquay
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Chronic Pain: A holistic view
In the rush of the modern world chronic pain has become in an increasingly common part of reality for many people. It can range from headaches, migraines, neck and back pain, painful joints, whole body pain, arthritis, even pelvic and menstrual pain. Millions of people live with chronic pain on a daily basis.
So what is chronic pain? And what does holistic management look like so that you can return to living a more easeful, comfortable life?
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is any pain that persists for over three or beyond the expected recovery time from an injury. When there is acute pain due to damage to the body, pain acts as a signal for injury and illness. It’s like an alert system inbuilt into the body.
Where things get complicated with chronic pain is that pain can continue after physical injury has already been healed. It may be caused by autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or endometriosis. In cases of back pain and sciatica it may be related to nerve impingement or damage. Frustratingly in some causes, there is no clear cause.
Pain also impacts on mental and emotional health, particularly severe or chronic pain. Chronic pain is closely linked with anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. A holistic approach that factors in emotional and mental wellbeing is critical to managing chronic pain.
The Mind-Body connection in Chronic Pain
Pain is not purely a physical thing. It’s interconnected with our emotional state, the health of the nervous system, stress, and even thoughts.
We know with modern science what Chinese medicine has been saying for thousands of years-the mind and body are interconnected. The brain communicates with the body through a sophisticated network of nerve pathways, neurotransmitters and hormones. Our perception of pain can be impacted by heightened states of emotional discomfort such as anxiety, repressed or unresolved trauma, and depression. Here’s how:
Stress and Pain Sensitization: when stressed the nervous system increases cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can increase inflammation and sensitivity of pain receptors. When chronic stress continually affects the nervous system and cortisol release this can create a negative feedback loop where stress increases pain, and pain can increase stress.
Neuroplasticity: The brain has the capacity to rewrite itself. This function, what we call neuroplasticity plays a huge role in chronic pain. Continued pain response can strengthen the neural pathways associated with pain and discomfort, making the pain response more ingrained in the nervous system, and hard to rewire.
How does Central Sensitization affect Chronic Pain?
The central nervous system itself can become hypersensitive and amplify pain signals. This is known as Central sensitization and is commonly associated in chronic pain disorders. It’s a hallmark of conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
What happens is that pain receptors can fire more easily, even in response to mild stimulation, and the brain can process normal touch or movement as painful. Stress, emotional disturbances and even insomnia or lack of sleep can increase pain response and create a continuing cycle of pain.
Managing Chronic Pain through Mind-Body Connection
The benefit of neuroplasticity is that the brain always has the capacity to form new neural pathways. This is where practices like mindfulness are so impactful.
Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help shift the brain’s focus on pain. Mindfulness encourages awareness and non-judgmental observation of pain, discomfort, emotions, and thoughts. Regular practice can help reduce the brain’s sensitivity to pain signals, easing physical and emotional discomfort.
Breath and Relaxation: mindful breathing can activate the rest and digest phase of the nervous system (parasympathetic) and encourage deep rest. When in this state, stress hormone levels lower and pain receptor activity can also slow, providing relief.
Acupuncture: One of the goals of an acupuncture session is to restore the body to a state of balance by encouraging regulation of the nervous system and deep states of rest. As we’ve explore a relaxed nervous system encourages the body to reduce stress hormones and pain signals.
A Holistic approach
Chronic pain can be a complex picture, and due to its long-term effects can take time to find a healthy management plan. With the mind-body connection being integral to the development of chronic pain its important to find a holistic strategy that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing and fosters lifestyle practices such as mindfulness.
Peter is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist and chinese medicine practitioner in Torquay, Victoria.
Peter loves supporting clients make sustainable, holistic lifestyle change so they can be at their best.
