If you’re dealing with chronic pain, it could feel like your life won’t ever be the same. In many cases, people are struggling more than they need to because of fundamental pain management mistakes.
This article tells you some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Telling Your Doctor
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’re experiencing pain is not being honest when you talk to your doctor. The level of pain you’re in can be a powerful diagnostic tool. Therefore you should never play down the amount of pain you’re in.
You also shouldn’t try to exaggerate the amount of pain you’re in to try and force a diagnosis. Exaggerating could easily lead to a misdiagnosis as well.
2. Not Taking Pain Medication as Prescribed
It’s vital that you take pain medication as prescribed and don’t take excessive doses. Certain types of pain medication can be very dangerous and addictive. If you abuse pain medication, you could quickly end up with a serious drug addiction that could destroy your life.
Pain medications are serious drugs, and you need to treat them with respect, even when you’re using them for managing chronic pain.
3. Thinking Pain Means You Can’t Be Social
When you’re in pain, the last thing you want to do is hang out with people and interact. This is a critical mistake because seeing friends and family can often be the best medicine for chronic pain.
If your pain flares up, you’ll focus on it much more, and this will make it hurt more. On the other hand, when you spend time with your loved ones, you’ll have something to take your mind off the sensation of pain.
4. Thinking About the Pain Too Much
With most types of pain, it will get worse the more you think about it. In many chronic pain situations, the best thing you can do is distract yourself. When the pain gets bad, we tend to obsess over it.
This makes your brain focus on the sensation, and this causes it to hurt more. Try doing an activity that takes a lot of focus. This will keep your mind occupied and minimize the amount of pain you feel.
5. Thinking You Don’t Need a Support Group
If you have a chronic pain problem, joining a pain management support group could be one of the best decisions you can make. Experiencing pain every day can make you feel somehow different and disconnected from everyone else.
Joining a support group is a great way to appreciate how you’re not alone. It’s also somewhere that you can learn tips and techniques for managing your condition. Whether you’re in pain because of an auto accident or a surgery gone wrong, support groups are there to help.
Avoid These Pain Management Mistakes and Live a Normal Life
If you can avoid these pain management mistakes, you could live a relatively normal life. The key is to be honest with your doctors, follow their instructions, and don’t socially isolate yourself.
If you want to learn more about some other health-related topics, check out the rest of our blog posts.
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