Your pain is real and you need real solutions

Therapy for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than 3 months. It can start as a physical injury like a pulled muscle, a bum knee, or a minor surgery. But the pain doesn't go away as the injury heals. Sometimes, the pain is there without you ever even having an injury. And yet, the pain is real! It affects how you move and what you can do. It limits your life. It isolates you.

So you see a doctor. If you're lucky, they believe you when you tell them what you're experiencing. Many doctors think you're just trying to score drugs. Or that you are a hysterical woman. They dismiss it as stress. Or tell you it's normal for your age.

You tried talking with friends and family, but many doubt you or think you're making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe they're just tired of hearing about it. But you still feel the pain. And now you're starting to cut yourself off from your family and friends- you don't want to be a burden.

The Effects of Being Dismissed

When chronic pain is dismissed or ignored by those around you, it can leave you feeling misunderstood and alone. This lack of empathy can lead to many different problems, including:

Frustration and anger
Depression
Anxiety
Decreased confidence in yourself
Social isolation
A decreased willingness to reach out for help
Suicidal ideation and behavior

In the end, this only intensifies your pain and obstructs your path to healing.

You Are Not Alone

Although your chronic pain may lead you to feel isolated and that no one understands what you are going through, you are not alone. In the United States, approximately 50 million adults are living with chronic pain, highlighting the widespread nature of this experience. The rate of diagnoses continues to rise, as more people seek help and recognition for their conditions. 21% of adults in the US experience chronic pain, and 1 in 3 older adults do. In fact, more adults are diagnosed with chronic pain than with diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression.

Therapy can help

Pain is so much more than just the physical! It includes a multitude of factors such as your beliefs, your culture, your activity level, your emotional states, and your values. It can also be affected by things like your race, your sexual orientation, or your income level. It includes the whole you: mind, body, and soul!

This is where therapy can really help

Not only does therapy give you some needed support, it can also help you to sort through the beliefs, thoughts, and values that may be increasing your experience of pain. Therapy for chronic pain offers not only relief from discomfort but also a pathway to a more fulfilling life.

As therapy progresses, many people experience improved emotional well-being, enhanced coping strategies, and a greater sense of control over their lives. Ultimately, therapy can foster resilience encouraging a more active and engaged lifestyle despite chronic pain.When this happens, your life can open up again so you can start enjoying the activities that you used to.

Treatments We Might

Try Together

Psychoeducation for therapy in chronic pain management focuses on empowering individuals with knowledge about their condition. understanding the relationship between the mind and body, clients can develop effective coping strategies and improve their overall well-being. This approach encourages patients to explore the psychological aspects their pain, helping to reduce anxiety and enhance their quality of life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach designed help individuals manage chronic pain effectively. By addressing the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to pain perception, CBT empowers clients to develop coping strategies and improve their overall quality of life. We now know that negative thoughts can trigger the release of stress hormones that further sensitize pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord, leading to an increased sense of pain. By learning how to change these thought patterns, you can decrease your experience of pain.

Stress Management Training can include many different methods and strategies that you can utilize to decrease the effects stress has on your pain levels. Stress can trigger the fight-or-flight response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn can increase the perception of pain. Managing your stress levels more efficiently can help slow or even stop this from occuring.

EFT Tapping is a groundbreaking method aimed at assisting therapy clients in effectively managing chronic pain. By tapping on designated acupressure points and concentrating on their discomfort, clients can release emotional blockages and encourage healing. This gentle technique not only reduces physical pain but also empowers clients to take charge of their pain management.

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain. By focusing on the moment and cultivating a non-judgmental awareness, clients can learn to cope with their pain more effectively. Regular mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and anxiety, leading to a sense of control and improved overall well-being. Embracing mindfulness not only aids in pain management but also fosters a deeper connection one's body and emotions.

Questions You Might be

Asking Yourself

Why am I being sent to talk with a therapist? Does my doctor think I'm crazy and it's all in my head?

No, not at all! We just know now that pain is truly a multifaceted event and is affected by many different things, including your feelings, your stress level, your socio-economic status, your culture, your family norms, and many other things. Your doctor was never trained to deal with these sorts of issues, and even if he or she were, most can not take the time to do so because of the pressures on them. Therapists, however, are ideally trained in these areas and teach these skills to their clients daily.

But really, isn't my pain physical?

Although pain may start with a physical injury or illness, once you pass the 3-6 month mark, your body most likely has healed and your pain is considered chronic. In this phase, all the different factors listed above come into play and can affect your sense of pain. This isn't to say that your pain is all in your head! We know it's real and that you are really feeling it! But all of these other factors need to be addressed for you to get your best outcome.

Isn't chronic pain just part of getting older?

Not necessarily. Some conditions that cause pain like arthritis are more common as you get older, that much is true, but you don't need to live in debilitating pain! That is NOT a normal part of aging.

Next Steps

Starting therapy for chronic pain can be a challenging journey, especially if past experiences with medical professionals have led to feelings of distrust. It's important to acknowledge these feelings, as they are valid. However, therapy can offer valuable tools and support to help you manage pain and improve your overall quality of life. Remember, taking the first step is a sign of strength, and finding the right therapist can make all the difference

So the question now becomes whether we are a good fit to work together. If you want more information about me, you can check out the about page here . Or you can either call me directly or fill out the contact form by clicking the button below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.