What is pain management?
Many people experience different types of pain, from the sort that arrives swiftly and disappears once you’ve healed to the sort that lingers for much longer. Pain is a signal your body sends to let you know something isn’t quite right, like when you accidentally cut your finger or sprain an ankle. That’s your body’s way of saying, “Oi, pay attention to this!”
There’s also pain that doesn’t go away after a few days or weeks. This is known as chronic pain, and it’s like having an annoying alarm that won’t turn off. It can be due to various reasons, such as arthritis, where your joints are inflamed, or conditions like fibromyalgia, which cause pain all over your body. Surprisingly, about 28 million adults in the UK are dealing with this long-term pain.
Then we have pain that comes from our nerves (neuropathic pain) and pain that happens when our tissues are damaged (nociceptive pain). Think of neuropathic pain as a glitch in the body’s wiring, making you feel sharp or burning sensations without an obvious injury. Nociceptive pain is more straightforward—it’s what you feel when you stub your toe or have a sore throat.
Managing pain is crucial because it helps people return to their daily lives. That might mean different treatments like medication, physical therapy, or sometimes just learning more about what causes the pain. The good news is that doctors and specialists are getting better at helping people manage their pain, aiming to improve everyone’s quality of life.
So, while pain might be a common experience, there’s a lot being done to help people cope better, ensuring they can enjoy their day-to-day activities without that constant background noise of discomfort.
14 million experience chronic pain, with 8 million facing moderate to severe intensity
34% of adults have chronic pain. It is slightly more common in women than men
At 44%, chronic pain is significantly higher among the Black ethnic group
It decreases with education level: 50% with no qualifications, 36% with a degree, and 27% with higher degrees
What causes people to struggle with pain and pain management?
Chronic pain comes in different shapes and sizes, each with its own backstory. Acute pain is like your body’s immediate alarm for injuries or illnesses – it’s sharp but fades once you heal. Nociceptive pain is your body’s reaction to real damage or inflammation. Somatic pain involves bones, joints, or muscles, such as the ache from a sprained ankle or the discomfort of arthritis. Visceral pain is a bit trickier; it’s about your internal organs and might feel less specific but can signal serious issues like kidney stones.
Neuropathic pain is when the issue is with your nerves themselves, often because of conditions like diabetes, where high blood sugar over time can damage your nerves, or chemotherapy, where treatment for cancer can hurt your nerves and cause long-lasting pain.
Certain groups might feel chronic pain more intensely. Women, for instance, often face conditions like fibromyalgia, leading to widespread pain. As people age, they’re likelier to encounter pain from conditions like osteoarthritis due to wear and tear on the body. Individuals with fewer resources or lower incomes might struggle more to get the support they need, making their pain harder to manage.
Understanding the different origins and types of pain helps us tailor more effective relief strategies, focusing on what each person needs to alleviate their pain.
The impact of living with pain
How can it make a person feel or act, e.g., irritable, short-tempered, tired? Explain how it can impact a person’s work, personal life, and relationships with family and friends.
Dealing with chronic pain is tough, affecting both the body and the mind. It’s like constantly carrying a heavy backpack – it wears you out and can make you feel irritable, short-tempered, or simply too exhausted to do much. This ongoing struggle with pain can significantly alter your daily feelings and interactions with others, impacting everything from work performance to social engagements. At work, you might find it difficult to concentrate or not be able to perform as well as you’d like. You may need to take more sick days or even face challenges in continuing your job.
The impact extends into your personal life and relationships too. Chronic pain can make you feel isolated, as if you’re watching your own life from the sidelines, grappling with everyday interactions and feeling disconnected from family and friends. Even small things can become sources of frustration, leading to strained relationships. It’s not just about missing out on activities but also about the difficulty in maintaining strong connections with those close to you.
Pain doesn’t only cause physical discomfort; it leads to emotional distress, such as feeling down, anxious, or frustrated. Everyone’s experience with pain is personal, shaped by individual backgrounds and how we’ve observed others manage pain. It is essential to recognise it’s okay to seek help and explore pain management strategies that work for you. By finding support and understanding, you can lighten that burdensome backpack and feel more yourself again, improving your quality of life and your relationships.
How can it be managed?
In managing chronic pain, it’s crucial to adopt a comprehensive strategy that blends self-care practices with a variety of medications and therapeutic interventions. Self-care involves integrating gentle exercises into your daily routine. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or Pilates keep you active and help manage pain levels. Regular stretching and maintaining an active lifestyle, even on days when pain is more manageable, can prevent the cycle of good and bad days and give you a sense of control over your pain.
Remaining engaged in work and your usual activities can distract you from the pain and maintain your mental well-being. Adjustments to your work environment or schedule, which you discuss with your employer, can facilitate this. Physical therapy, including specific exercises and stretching guided by professionals, can enhance mobility and ease pain.
Therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can be invaluable in managing chronic pain. CBT helps you learn to change how you think about pain, which can lead to changes in how you feel and behave. By addressing negative thought patterns and coping strategies, CBT equips you with effective tools to manage pain and improve your quality of life.
Regarding medication, a range of options are available, including over-the-counter painkillers such as Paracetamol and ibuprofen for reducing pain and allowing you to stay active. For more severe pain, doctors may prescribe stronger painkillers, including opioids, for short-term use due to their risk of dependency and side effects. It’s crucial to use these under close medical supervision. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can be effective for neuropathic pain, targeting the nerve-related aspects of chronic pain. Topical creams and patches containing pain-relieving substances can target specific areas of pain without systemic side effects.
Beyond medications, self-care practices are vital, including heat and cold therapy, relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, and a healthy diet. When pain persists despite these measures or significantly disrupts your life, seeking advice from a GP is essential. They can offer a tailored approach, including referrals for physical therapy or to specialists in pain management. Remember, effective pain management is often a team effort involving you, healthcare professionals, and supportive therapies.
Pain medications like aspirin and NSAIDs target inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandins, while opioids alter pain signals in the brain. Selection hinges on pain characteristics and lifestyle impact. Guided, regular use mitigates side effects. Lifestyle adjustments, including staying active, complement medication for improved pain management. Side effects vary; paracetamol carries minimal risk, whereas NSAIDs and opioids entail gastrointestinal and dependency risks. Precautions encompass avoiding self-medication during pregnancy and consulting healthcare professionals for chronic conditions or medication combinations. Caution with over-the-counter medicines, particularly in the elderly, prevents accidental overdose. Following GP or medical advice is crucial for safe and effective pain management.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy offers a valuable approach to managing pain, bridging the connection between the mind and body. Dealing with ongoing pain can trigger feelings of stress and anxiety, intensifying the discomfort. However, hypnotherapy steps in to assist by teaching relaxation techniques and shifting perspectives on pain.
During a session, you’ll find yourself comfortable and relaxed as the therapist introduces methods to alleviate pain. Instead of ignoring the pain, hypnosis helps alleviate fear and stress surrounding it, calming the nervous system and reducing tension. Techniques like visualising yourself peacefully can divert your attention from discomfort, promoting a sense of well-being. Typically, individuals may require six to ten sessions tailored to their specific needs.
Research indicates that hypnotherapy can alter brain functioning, diminishing the intensity of pain and decreasing reliance on painkillers. It also prompts the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, offering relief without adverse effects.
Moreover, hypnotherapy activates the body’s relaxation response, counteracting stress hormones that exacerbate pain. By redirecting focus and fostering relaxation, hypnosis can reshape the pain experience, promoting overall comfort.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy emphasises positivity and strategies for pain and stress reduction. By reframing thoughts about pain, hypnotherapy provides a natural and effective means of coping.
In essence, hypnotherapy empowers individuals to manage pain by harnessing the mind’s potential. By facilitating relaxation, altering perceptions of pain, and imparting coping tools, hypnotherapy offers a compassionate and professional approach to pain relief.
Our Pain Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
