What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain can affect almost every aspect of your life. Defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, the sensation of pain can persist even after your body has healed from an injury or illness. Sometimes, it develops without any clear cause, which can make it even more challenging to understand and manage.
This condition affects over a third of adults in the UK, and up to one in ten children may also experience chronic pain. The nature of chronic pain can vary: it might be a constant dull ache, sharp bursts of discomfort, or a burning or throbbing sensation. The intensity can fluctuate, making it hard to predict, which can add to the frustration of living with chronic pain.
While chronic pain might feel overwhelming, it’s important to recognise that it’s not just a physical issue. It often impacts your mental and emotional wellbeing as well, leaving you feeling exhausted, stressed, or even isolated.
With the right knowledge and support, chronic pain can be managed. Hypnotherapy for chronic pain can help to change your perception of pain, so you can significantly improve your quality of life.
41% of people who attended pain clinics say their pain has prevented them from working, and 13% have had to reduce their working hours
Chronic pain affects 34% of adults, rising to 53% for over 75s
Chronic pain is more common for women
1 in 20 people are affected by fibromyalgia
What causes chronic pain?
Chronic pain often follows an injury or surgery, but what sets chronic pain apart is its persistence. You can experience long-term pain, long after the body has healed.
In some cases, chronic pain occurs without a specific injury or clear cause. Conditions such as fibromyalgia are examples of this, where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive. It responds to even non-painful stimuli as if they were painful.
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing chronic pain. Women are more likely to experience chronic pain than men, and the risk tends to increase with age. Some people may be more predisposed to chronic pain because of their family history.
Stress, trauma, and certain medical conditions can also contribute. These all influence how the body processes and responds to different types of pain.
Understanding the triggers and factors that contribute to chronic pain is an essential first step in taking control. While you may not always be able to identify a single cause, recognising the complexities behind your chronic pain can help you approach it more effectively.
What are the symptoms & effects?
Living with chronic pain can feel like a constant battle with both your body and your mind. You can experience different types of pain. It might be sharp, stabbing or throbbing, and it often resists conventional treatments. Chronic pain can also interfere with your ability to sleep, affecting your energy levels and overall mood.
Chronic pain can have other side effects. It can lead to changes in appetite, either causing you to lose interest in food or to turn to comfort eating as a way of coping. Poor sleep, low energy, and constant discomfort can make it hard to keep up with your usual activities. You may struggle to work, socialise or even enjoy hobbies.
Mentally, chronic pain can be overwhelming and it’s common to experience anxiety, depression and loneliness. When pain stops you from seeing friends and family or reaching your goals, it can seriously impact your self-esteem and sense of identity.
How can it be managed?
Managing chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond medication. While pain relief might be part of your plan, it’s crucial to address its broader impact on your life. There are strategies and treatments that can help you reduce pain perception and reclaim a sense of normality.
Managing daily activities
Plan ahead and pace yourself through the day by breaking up tasks into activity and rest periods. Adapt tasks that you know are challenging, so they require less strain.
Exercise and physical therapy
Gentle stretching, walking, yoga or swimming can be incredibly beneficial. Regular movement helps to reduce stiffness, maintain your flexibility and strengthen muscles. Tailored exercises designed by a physiotherapist who understands your condition’s specific details can also help. They may offer hands-on therapy like massage and joint mobilisation, which may help reduce pain’s severity over time.
Work
Discuss options for flexible working and adjusting your work environment. You might need more seated breaks or better back support. Some people’s pain is easier while standing, so an adjustable standing desk could help.
Set goals
Think about setting activity based goals, rather than ones linked to pain levels. This could be walking to somewhere near home or completing certain household tasks. Tracking your progress will help you maintain motivation.
Relaxation techniques
Meditation and other relaxation exercises can help ease any muscle tension. They will also help to improve your sleep quality and boost your overall sense of wellbeing. Mindfulness or meditation apps (like Calm or Headspace) can support you in getting daily practice.
Medication
Pain relief medication like ibuprofen and paracetamol, or certain antidepressants, may offer a reduction in pain, but should be reviewed regularly. Often, these are not enough on their own for people living with chronic pain.
Talking therapies
Mental health care is vital in managing chronic pain. Techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy for chronic pain can help you develop healthier ways of thinking about pain. They can aid relaxation and reduce the emotional strain of living with your condition.
Support groups
Support groups and online communities can show you that you’re not alone. Talking to others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly comforting. It helps to share your experiences and gather advice.
Managing chronic pain is about finding the right combination of treatments and self-care practices. It’s a process that might take time, but can be achieved with perseverance and the right support. You can regain control over your life and reduce the impact of pain on your day-to-day activities.
How can hypnotherapy for chronic pain help?
Solution focused hypnotherapy for chronic pain offers a powerful and supportive approach for managing your pain. It changes the way your brain processes and interprets pain signals., helping to reduce the intensity of the pain you experience.
During a typical chronic pain hypnotherapy session, a trained hypnotherapist will help you reach a focused, calm state. This process interrupts the pain signals that are sent to your brain, reducing the discomfort you feel. By guiding you into a state of deep relaxation, hypnotherapy helps your mind become more receptive to positive hypnotic suggestions. This chronic pain hypnosis allows you to reshape your perception of pain and how your body responds to it.
Hypnotherapy helps lower anxiety and improves sleep. By impacting other areas of your life as well, chronic pain hypnosis and hypnotherapy support a more positive outlook on your ability to manage your pain.
One of the key benefits of chronic pain hypnotherapy is it can be used alongside other treatments. It enhances the effectiveness of traditional pain management by addressing both the physical and emotional side effects of pain. Regular hypnotherapy sessions can help you feel more in control of their pain, providing relief and improving your overall quality of life.
Our Chronic Pain Specialists
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Emma Bancroft
Rainham, Kent
Emma Treby
Mid Devon
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Marina Love
Aylesbury Vale
Samantha Morson
Canvey Island
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.
