According to the CDC, an estimated 20.4 percent of U.S. adults had chronic pain in 2016. This can lead to low quality of life, increased healthcare use and costs, missed work, and behavioral health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
Medication is usually the first-line approach to treating pain. For severe or chronic pain, this may come in the form of opioid medications, which can lead to misuse, addiction, and overdoses.
Therefore, it’s crucial for therapists to steer patients towards holistic pain management methods that consider the entire individual
Counseling and Therapy for Chronic Pain
Counseling and talk therapy can help with chronic pain, especially by helping individuals manage the emotional distress often associated with it. This can include:
- Teaching coping strategies such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and meditation
- Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to overcome negative thought patterns and improve mood and quality of life
- Helping patients understand the nature of pain, the nervous system, and how mental and physical health are connected, which can empower individuals to make informed decisions and better manage their symptoms
- Providing emotional support to patients struggling with pain
- Addressing PTSD and other co-occurring mental health conditions related to the pain, such as substance abuse or depression
- Creating a plan to reduce pain and improve physical health and activity
Medications and Supplements for Chronic Pain
While counseling plays a critical role, pain often necessitates physical treatment methods as well:
- Injections or nerve blocks of medications that may help with muscle spasms or nerve pain.
- Natural supplements, such as turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, and the combination of chondroitin and glucosamine
- Lotions, such as capsaicin cream or aloe, which may help with inflammation or joint pain.
- Cannabidiol (CBD), a hemp derivative, which may help with pain, although research is lacking
- Vitamins that may help with some types of pain, such as magnesium for headaches, vitamin D for back pain, and vitamin B12 for neuropathic pain.
It’s important to approach supplements with caution due to potential interactions with other medications and the variability in source reliability.
Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain
Therapists can also advise clients on alternative treatment methods for pain and connect them with appropriate practitioners. This may include:
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Changes in diet
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Yoga
- Chiropractic care
- Craniosacral therapy, also known as cranial osteopathy
Like other issues that affect both mental and physical health, chronic pain is likely to benefit from a combination of treatments. Each patient is different, so it may take several tries to find the most effective approach.
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