San Diego Psychotherapy for Chronic Pain
Finding a Therapist for Chronic Pain in San Diego
What is chronic pain?
What are the symptoms of chronic pain?
How do I stay positive with chronic pain?
You know the kind of pain that is never ending? It’s persistent, frustrating, debilitating, and shows no mercy. It can be stressful and prevent those who have it from doing the things they love the most. That’s chronic pain. The therapists at Clear Mind Counseling in San Diego can help. They are skilled in working with patients in the San Diego area who are experiencing chronic pain.
Examples of chronic pain include:
Frequent headaches
Low back pain
Nerve damage pain
Arthritis pain
Fibromyalgia pain
Pain is your body’s normal reaction to an illness or injury, a warning that something is wrong. When your body heals, you usually stop hurting. But for many people, pain continues long after its cause is gone. When it lasts for 3-6 months or more, despite treatment or medication, it’s called chronic pain. When you hurt day after day, it can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. About 25% of people with chronic pain will go on to develop a condition called chronic pain syndrome (CPS). That’s when people have symptoms beyond the pain alone, like depression and anxiety, which interfere with their daily lives. At times, chronic pain can be intolerable when combined with muscle pain and discomfort, lack of energy, high stress levels, and limited physical or mental performance. Chronic pain increases your risk of substance abuse and suicide. Treating your mental health can sometimes lead to pain relief.
Symptoms of chronic pain syndrome include:
Joint pain
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Burning pain
Sleep problems
Loss of stamina and flexibility, as the result of decreased activity
Mood problems (depression; anxiety; irritability)
When you don’t feel well, managing chronic pain can be difficult. Emotional stress can make pain even worse. The American Psychological Association recommends these tips for dealing with chronic pain:
Focus on what’s positive in your life.
Be engaged. Don’t retreat from family and friends or activities you enjoy and can still perform.
Participate in support groups
Seek psychological help.
The link between your emotions and pain can create a cycle. When you hurt, you’re more likely to feel depressed. That can make your pain even worse. Therapists are experts in helping people cope with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that accompany chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain may be referred to therapists by other health care professionals. Therapists may often collaborate with other health care providers to address both the physical and emotional aspects of the patient’s pain.
When working with a therapist, you should expect to discuss your physical and emotional health. You’ll be asked about the pain you are experiencing, where and when it occurs, and what factors may affect it. You’ll also be asked to discuss any worries or stresses that you have related to your pain. Having a thorough understanding of your concerns will help the therapist develop a treatment plan. Plans often include relaxation techniques, changing old beliefs about pain, developing new coping skills, and addressing any anxiety or depression that may accompany your pain.
Learning how to challenge any thoughts you have about pain and developing new ways to think about problems and ultimately finding solutions to those problems are some ways a therapist can help. Studies have shown that some psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be as effective as surgery for relieving chronic pain because psychological treatments for pain can alter how your brain processes pain sensations.
Therapists can also help you make lifestyle changes that will allow you to continue participating in work and recreational activities. Because pain often contributes to insomnia, a therapist may also help you learn new ways to sleep better.
The goal of your therapist is to help you develop skills to cope with your pain and live a full life.