The Ingenuity Developed through Chronic Pain
Reading Time: 3 minutesChronic pain is a relentless companion for many, but for those living with it, it often becomes a crucible for ingenuity and innovation. When faced with daily challenges that most people never consider, these individuals frequently devise creative solutions to navigate their lives. This ingenuity is not only inspiring but also provides valuable lessons for everyone, especially in the workplace where hiring people with disabilities can lead to unparalleled innovation. The Ingenuity Born from Chronic Pain Living with chronic pain requires constant adaptation. Tasks that seem simple, such as opening a jar or working on normal office equipment, can become monumental challenges. Yet, those with chronic pain develop unique methods to accomplish these tasks, demonstrating resilience and creativity. Example 1: Adaptive Tools and Gadgets Consider the story of Sarah, who has rheumatoid arthritis. The stiffness and pain in her joints made it difficult to use standard kitchen utensils. Instead of giving up cooking, she designed her own adaptive tools. She modified handles to be larger and easier to grip and added non-slip materials to ensure she could still enjoy her culinary passion. Sarah’s kitchen is now a testament to her ingenuity, filled with bespoke tools that cater to her specific needs. Example 2: Reimagining Mobility John, who lives with chronic back pain, found that traditional office chairs exacerbated his condition. After experimenting with various solutions, he combined elements of a standing desk with a reclining chair setup. This allowed him to switch between standing and reclining throughout the day, significantly reducing his discomfort and increasing his productivity. His hybrid workstation is now a model for ergonomic innovation. Creativity and Problem-Solving: The Impact of Disabilities on Innovation People with physical disabilities often develop exceptional problem-solving skills out of necessity. Their ability to think outside the box can lead to breakthroughs that benefit not only themselves but also the wider community. Example 3: Technological Innovations Steve, a software developer with limited hand mobility, created a voice-activated coding interface. Traditional coding required extensive typing, which was painful and slow for him. By leveraging voice recognition technology, he was able to continue his work efficiently. This innovation didn’t just help Steve; it opened doors for many others with similar disabilities to enter the tech field. Example 4: Universal Design Principles Karen, who uses a wheelchair, became an advocate for universal design after encountering numerous accessibility barriers. Her experiences led her to design public spaces that were more inclusive. Her contributions have influenced urban planning and architecture, making spaces more accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. The Case for Hiring People with Disabilities The stories of Sarah, John, Steve, and Karen highlight a crucial point: people with disabilities bring a wealth of innovative potential to the workplace. When companies embrace diversity and inclusion, they tap into a rich vein of creativity and problem-solving skills. 1. Diverse Perspectives: People with disabilities often approach problems differently due to their unique experiences. This diversity in thought can lead to innovative solutions that might not be apparent to those without similar experiences. 2. Resilience and Adaptability: Chronic pain and disabilities require constant adaptation. Employees who have navigated these challenges bring resilience and a can-do attitude, valuable traits in any work environment. 3. Improved Accessibility: Hiring people with disabilities can lead to more inclusive product designs and services. As seen with Karen’s work in urban planning, firsthand experience with accessibility challenges can drive the creation of more inclusive and widely applicable solutions. 4. Enhanced Corporate Culture: Inclusivity fosters a more compassionate and empathetic workplace. This can improve morale, increase employee retention, and attract top talent who value diversity. The ingenuity of those living with chronic pain and disabilities is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience. Their ability to turn adversity into innovation not only enriches their own lives but also offers profound lessons for society and the business world. By recognizing and harnessing the unique talents of people with disabilities, we can foster a culture of creativity, resilience, and groundbreaking innovation that benefits everyone.
Keep a “Hype List” to Reference During Tough Times
Reading Time: 4 minutesLife is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the downs can feel overwhelming and often. During these tough times, it’s easy to forget about our achievements, our strengths, and what we mean to other people. This is where a “Hype List” or “Attagirl List” or “Attaboy List” comes in. This simple but powerful tool can be a beacon of positivity and a reminder of our worth and accomplishments. I started one for myself a few months after closing Override Health’s first financing round in 2022. Suddenly, it went from my dad and me starting a company without pay or anyone else depending on us to having a Board of Directors and investors watching me closely as founding CEO. Override quickly acquired a small coaching company, and with that, about a dozen employees. Override then hired its own employees. I quickly learned that while I was responsible for managing so many, very few compliment or boost the CEO, yet the expectation was to do everything right and not show weaknesses. Especially when things were not going well with the company – and startups are full of highs and lows – it was easy to take things personally and feel down about myself. Every so often, though, I received a text message from a friend or my mom saying how proud they were of me for what we’ve built. Or maybe it was a random LinkedIn message from someone saying that I inspired them through the work I was doing and my personal story of chronic pain. Or the virtual birthday card that my team arranged for me one year where everyone said what they appreciated about me as a leader. I started saving these in a document. Over time, this became my hype list. What is a “Hype List”? A “Hype List” is a personal collection of positive affirmations, achievements, compliments, and proud moments. It’s a list that you can turn to when you’re feeling down, doubting yourself, or needing a boost of confidence. The list can include anything that makes you feel good about yourself, from small daily victories to major life accomplishments. Why You Need One 1. Boosts Self-Esteem: When you’re feeling low, looking back at your Hype List can remind you of your worth and capability. It’s like having a personal cheerleader in your computer or pocket. 2. Counteracts Negative Thoughts: Our minds can sometimes be our own worst enemies. A Hype List can help counteract negative self-talk by reminding you of your positive qualities and past successes. 3. Provides Perspective: In challenging times, it’s easy to lose perspective and feel like things will never get better. Reviewing your list can remind you of other tough times you’ve faced and overcome, providing hope and perspective. 4. Encourages Gratitude: Reflecting on your achievements and the good things people have said about you encourages a mindset of gratitude, which has been shown to improve mental health and well-being. This is a little bit like keeping a gratitude list, although it’s different. How to Create Your Hype List 1. Start Small: Begin with a few things that you’re proud of or that have made you feel good. This could be a project you completed, a compliment you received, or a personal quality you like about yourself. 2. Be Specific: Instead of writing “I’m good at my job,” write something specific like “I received praise from my boss for my presentation skills” and copy over what your boss emailed you! Specific details make the memories more vivid and impactful. 3. Include Various Aspects of Life: Don’t just focus on professional achievements. Include personal milestones, positive feedback from friends and family, and any other moments that made you feel proud or happy. 4. Keep It Accessible: Whether you choose to keep a physical notebook, a digital document, or an app, make sure your Hype List is easily accessible. You’ll want to be able to turn to it whenever you need a boost. You’ll also want to be able to add to it whenever something pops up that is appropriate to add. 5. Update Regularly: Life is full of new experiences and achievements. Regularly update your list to keep it current and reflective of your ongoing journey. Record the dates to help jog your memory as to what an item was about. 6. Any Format is Fine: This doesn’t have to be a neat and tidy list in a singular format. You can paste in screenshots of nice text messages you received, voice recordings, your own accounts of things that happened, photos, etc. Using Your Hype List When you’re feeling down or going through a tough time, take a few moments to review your Hype List. Reflect on each entry and remember the feelings of pride, happiness, and accomplishment associated with them. This practice can help shift your mindset from a negative space to a more positive and empowered one. You might consider making it a habit to review your list regularly, not just when you’re feeling low. Regular reflection can help reinforce your self-esteem and keep you motivated. So why not start today? Your future self will thank you. How a Hype List Might Help with Chronic Pain Recovery Pain science (or pain neuroscience) has a lot of research on the need to lay new, more positive neural pathways in order to override old, negative, and painful neural pathways that have caused you to live in a sustained period of chronic pain. These pain neural pathways are difficult to break. Purposely focusing on gratitude, joy, humor, play, and what is right in your life are some of the ways recommended to start laying these new neural pathways. A Hype List can help. Of course this isn’t simple, but small things like a Hype List, in combination with a lot of other approaches, intentionality, and hard work – including treatment by a team of chronic pain specialists like at Override Health – can add up to make a bigger
Embracing Adversity: Lessons from the Sequoia Tree
Reading Time: 3 minutesImagine standing before a towering sequoia tree in California’s Sierra Nevada – its majestic height reaching 250 to 300 feet. The sheer size of the tree evokes a sense of awe, reminding you of how small we can feel in the face of life’s challenges. Just as these giants stand strong despite natural disasters and storms, we too can find strength in adversity. Sequoia trees have a remarkable ability to not just survive but to thrive in the face of fire. Their thick, fibrous bark acts as a shield, protecting the inner wood from flames. This incredible adaptation serves as a powerful metaphor for how we can respond to our own challenges and distress. In the wild, sequoias flourish in landscapes that remind us of life’s complexities, including chronic pain and emotional turmoil. Their bark, several feet thick, insulates them against the intense heat of fire. Similarly, we all have our own protective strategies—our “shields”—to guard against emotional and physical harm. This could be humor, a positive outlook, community, spirituality. Often, we believe that working harder, pushing ourselves, or distracting ourselves will keep us safe, but these methods can sometimes lead us further away from true healing. I’ll suggest below that curiosity is perhaps our best armor. The Fire Within: Growth Through Adversity So, how do these mighty trees relate to our experiences with chronic distress and pain? One fascinating aspect of sequoias is that their cones only open in response to extreme heat. After a fire, the conditions become perfect for their seeds to germinate and thrive. This natural resilience parallels our own journeys: just as sequoias emerge stronger after a blaze, we too can find opportunities for growth amidst our struggles. You might wonder how it applies to your current situation. We are all unique, each carrying a narrative that shapes our lives. Some narratives are conscious, such as “I am a hard worker” or “I never give up.” However, many of our most impactful stories operate beneath the surface, influencing our reactions and decisions without our awareness. Cultivating a Curious Mindset A study published in the Journal of Pain found that about 60% of individuals with chronic pain reported that their experiences with pain led to improved coping strategies and greater resilience. Curiosity itself can be one of the best tools for enhancing resiliency because it allows us to be open to new perspectives, different ideas, and the ability to grow within life’s journey. A curious mindset acts as a form of armor, promoting both physical and emotional well-being. This “bark” not only protects us but helps those around us by fostering understanding. Curiosity invites us to explore our feelings and experiences deeply, allowing us to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively or make faulty assumptions. When faced with adversity, this mindset can break the cycle of fight or flight — a cycle which often creates tension and heightened pain. Curiosity also cultivates openness to new perspectives. When we encounter challenges, this flexibility allows us to explore alternative solutions and insights we might not have considered. Embracing diverse viewpoints can lead to innovative problem-solving and a more resilient approach to adversity. Growth and Adversity Research in Psychological Bulletin indicates that approximately 50% of individuals who experience significant trauma or chronic pain report experiencing something called post-traumatic growth, which includes positive changes in self-perception, relationships, and life philosophy. This growth, akin to how the sequoia flourishes after an immense fire, can be a key to self-discovery. Another intriguing aspect of the sequoia’s journey is that, during a fire, while branches may be scorched and foliage damaged—halting photosynthesis—the tree’s growth isn’t permanently stunted. Similarly, when we feel broken or overwhelmed, it’s essential to remember that these feelings are often temporary – even if they last a long time. Just like the sequoia, we can emerge from our struggles, ready to grow anew. This analogy serves as a powerful reminder of how adversity can lead to growth and resilience. By cultivating a curious mindset, we can develop the emotional and psychological “bark” needed to navigate life’s fires. Embracing our unique narratives and allowing ourselves to learn from challenges not only strengthens us but also enhances our ability to support others in their journeys. Just as the sequoias rise from the ashes, we too can find beauty and strength through our own trials, emerging more robust and ready to flourish. Resources: https://www.savetheredwoods.org/interactive/giant-sequoia-and-fire/#:~:text=Giant%20sequoia%20can%20thrive%20in,to%20be%203%2C200%20years%20old. Sullivan, M. J. L., et al. (2006). “The role of psychological factors in the experience of chronic pain.” Journal of Pain, 7(10), 752-758. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). “Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence.” Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 1-24.
A Pain Physician on Why Chronic Pain is So Confusing and Agonizing
Reading Time: 5 minutesHave you consulted doctor the pain that affects your ability to enjoy life? Participating in activities you used to enjoy? Even just being with your family and friends? Have you gotten every lab and imaging test but are still left with more questions than answers? Have your complaints of persistent pain been dismissed as psychological or “all in your head”? If any that resonates, you aren’t alone. As a pain physician, patients come to me with these frustrations every day. Chronic pain is a common experience of the over 50 million Americans, according to the CDC. What really is chronic pain? When many people think of pain, they think of acute pain, such as a broken bone or sprain. This type of pain comes from tissue damage. We can see a broken bone on an X-Ray or deduce a sprain from an MRI but we can’t “see” the pain. We can also view lab results that suggest inflammation, but we again can’t “see” the pain. We can’t know how another individual experiences it. Pain is more complicated than the simple equation of: broken bone equals pain. Soldiers with limbs blown off in combat have dragged other fellow combatants from the battlefield with their remaining limbs. If pain was tied only to tissue damage, these soldiers would be writhing in pain, unable to do anything except lay there and scream in agony. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an unpleasant sensory AND emotional experience associated with actual OR potential tissue damage. Put another way, tissue damage does not have to be present to have pain; pain involves the body and the mind. To treat pain, we have to address the body and mind. Acute pain – pain caused by tissue damage – is easier to understand and is something we are all familiar with. You might think chronic pain is just a temporal continuation of acute pain – pain that lasts longer than 3 months. There would be good reason to think this; after all Webster’s Dictionary defines acute and chronic as differences in duration and “chronic pain” in its simplest definition is pain that lasts over three months. But chronic pain is actually an altogether different beast than acute pain. If acute pain is a small wave; chronic pain is a tsunami. Acute pain tends to only affect one part of the body such as a broken or burned leg or arm. The treatment for this type of pain is staying still to allow the body to heal itself. Because the source of pain is usually obvious for acute pain, family and friends step up to help with tasks that the injured person can’t do and provide comfort and company during the healing process. Medications such as anti-inflammatories and opioids can help support the injured person as the body heals. Once the tissue heals, medications are no longer required and pain recedes. Life returns to its pre-injury state! In acute pain, the body is supported with rest and mind is supported by social supports. Pain eventually recedes like water from the shoreline. Chronic pain, on the other hand, can be in one part of the body but often affects many body parts or even the whole body. Chronic pain begets more chronic pain; it’s its own disease state. To understand this, we have to understand that the nervous system transmits all types of sensations from the external environment that is interpreted by your brain in different ways. What if this nervous system started to hotwire on its own? What if it generated sensations interpreted to your brain as painful without any physical trigger? This is chronic pain. Many people go to a physician when they have pain, but because our diagnostic tests identified structural issues and not signaling problems, one test after another is obtained with no answers. Patients with chronic pain become frustrated because each normal test invalidates their experience. No way can this amount of pain be normal! Patients are often sent away from doctors’ offices without any better understanding of their symptoms or how they will achieve relief. But you know what? Many medical professionals do not have an adequate understanding of chronic pain either! Please forgive the doctor that accused the pain of being all in your head. He or she did not know better. American medical schools teach medical students on average 11 hours of pain instruction. Override is working to make chronic pain knowledge more accessible to both providers and patients alike. Chronic pain is truly complex and can affect the whole person. Because chronic pain is a signaling issue, no one can see the problem. As a result, people with chronic pain can feel very isolated. Those around the affected person cannot understand why she isn’t working a normal job, exercising, or socializing like she used to. Without relief in sight and appropriate empathy and validation from close ones, anxiety and depression or frequent results of sustained periods of chronic pain. Just as a tsunami tends to engulf entire cities, chronic pain can engulf entire lives. Effective chronic pain treatment is also far less straightforward. The suggested course of action for acute pain – stay still and rest until the pain goes away – doesn’t work for chronic pain. It can actually be counterproductive. That’s because the nervous system is designed to adapt to the current environment. If a person avoids moving parts of your body, the nerves don’t receive normal interactions and they adjust to the new normal. They even start causing continued pain sensations to maintain that new normal of not moving the parts of the body they perceived to be injured and damaged. The “hot wiring” of the nerves in that part of the body become even more revved up, which increases the sensitization of the nervous system and leads to continued and amplified pain. The treatment for chronic pain at its core is a carefully formulated combination of physical activity, pain education, and cognitive behavioral therapy to reset the nervous system. Medications alone
Sympathy vs. Empathy and Why It Matters
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen I was in rehab for a spinal chord injury, I had a friend who would come into my room, stand at the foot of my bed, and sob. She would stay until she couldn’t take it anymore. I remember feeling so helpless. I wanted to be the friend she wanted—that healthy woman that could do anything. But there was nothing I could do about this. I was lying in a bed unable to care for myself. Her sympathy and pity fed my own victimhood, which wasn’t helpful to my recovery. Sympathy paralyzes, while empathy energizes, empowers, and restores. True empathy is enabling. When someone deeply understands and listens, it empowers others. Someone once told me that I’m an advocate for those with chronic pain. I didn’t want to be an advocate. Because the only advocates I could think of were those who were sympathizing instead of empathizing. Advocacy can be paralyzing. It can encourage a victim mentality and trap those with chronic pain. It keeps them dependent on drugs, procedures, pills, and searching for cures. It makes them dependent on others. Empathy is jumping in the hole with them. It’s saying, “Let’s figure out a way out of here. What can we do?” It is recognizing the reality of another’s situation to the extent that you are willing to put yourself in their reality. It empowers others to crawl out of the hole they have been in, and helps them to be able to thrive. When I was in my deepest pit, my doctor sat on a chair across from me and grabbed a yellow pad of paper and a pen. He asked, “Tell me about your pain. What has worked? What’s not working? What do you value? How can I help?” When I told him there was a medication that worked well for me, he lit up, “Really? Which one?” I replied, “Valium. It really takes the edge off this central nerve pain.” But because Dr. Gorsuch had been truly listening to me, and he understood that I valued a clear mind, my family, and a life of meaning and purpose, he didn’t take the easy way out. He didn’t just prescribe the more Valium and send me on my way. Instead, he said. “You don’t want that life. I promise you. Let’s look for other solutions. OK?” I’m so grateful for his empathy rather than sympathy. And that he helped me find another way. Research studies have shown that empathy in medical care enhances clinical results. In one study with over 20,000 diabetic patients, patients treated by physicians with high empathy scores had a significantly lower rate of acute medical complications from their condition. The same is extendable to nonphysician care for chronic conditions. We see this with the power of coaching: When we use a coachlike approach that prioritizes empathy, it empowers others. That is the compassionate restorative healing approach we utilize here at Override.
I Wanted So Badly to Make It to the Top
Reading Time: 4 minutesFrom the moment I heard about my law school best friend’s bachelorette party in Asheville, North Carolina, I worried about the activities she was planning and whether I would be able to participate. The scariest: she planned a couple hikes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m perfectly in shape. I eat well and exercise multiple times a week. Sometimes people look at me and say that they can tell I was a tennis player. My complex chronic pain syndrome, however, can make it difficult for me at times to walk limitlessly or participate in physical activities. Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle a few months before the trip when I tripped down a flight of steps. A few months is plenty of time for an ankle sprain to heal, but my injuries often don’t heal the way they do for other (“normal”) people. See, when I get hurt, my body (or more accurately, my brain and central nervous system) doesn’t necessarily let go of the pain when the injury heals. So three months after my sprain, my ankle was still in severe pain. I understood that the sprain was realistically healed at the time of the hike – that even though the pain lingered, it was no longer acute pain and had crossed the line into chronic pain that was perpetuated more by my brain and central nervous system than by any lingering tissue damage. At this point when the pain enters into the chronic pain phase, I know from years of experience and learning about pain that it’s time to go back to normal use and build back the affected area’s strength. Sending messages of safety to the body through normal movement and use is one of the best ways to convince the brain that the body is no longer hurt and eventually calm the pain down. It’s a tricky balance, though, because the brain’s first instinct to resumed activity will be to increase the pain. It does this as a misguided form of protecting the body. Too much pain will only make pain levels worse by increasing the fear and messages of danger sent to the brain. Pounding the affected area relentlessly, just like continuing to rest and not use it, are both counterproductive. It’s a fine line that isn’t easy to locate. Several weeks before the bachelorette weekend, I started taking small walks – 10-15 minutes at a time – by myself. I hadn’t broke through the pain yet, but I set the goal of going on one hike during bachelorette weekend. I discussed it at length with the bride and her sister so that I would know in advance the total distance of the hike (2 miles). I decided together with my pain coach that I was ready for it. I wanted to do it. I envisioned the satisfaction I would feel after completing it. About 15 minutes into the hike, though, I asked the other women how far they thought we had gone. One of them looked at her Apple watch and said we had only gone.35 miles, which meant we had another .65 miles to the top and then another full mile to the bottom. My ankle was already flaring and I didn’t think I could push it another 1.65 miles. I told the group that I was going to stop there and see them at the bottom. Making that decision and saying it aloud to the others was really hard for me. For better or worse, nobody tried to stop me. Nobody encouraged me to keep going. Nobody asked if they should walk me back down. Nobody asked if I was going to be okay. They kept climbing, while I stopped. So there I was in the middle of the mountain. Alone. Disappointed. Defeated. Defeat is something I don’t take lightly. I was a nationally ranked tennis and squash player and I took great pride in my scrappiness and fighting spirit. I still do. Knowing I had time to kill before the rest of the group would finish the hike, I took a seat on a nearby rock. I tried to appreciate the view. (“Tried” is the keyword.) I tried not to cry. (I succeeded.) I took a picture of myself smiling. (That didn’t feel right.) I took another photo – this time without smiling so much. And then I did what I always do when I am upset: I called my mom. She was upset for me. She told me she wished I hadn’t gone on the hike and tried at all. She wasn’t sure why I did. But I disagree. Even though I didn’t like the outcome and was sad I didn’t make it to the top of the mountain, I was glad I tried. I still got to participate for some of the hike instead of waiting in the cramped van. I still got to see the view from the hiking trail. I still got fresh air. I still got a picture. And while I was embarrassed and concerned about the group judging me for not completing the hike, I reminded myself that nobody else was really focused on it except me. I’ll make it to the top another time.
A Metaphor: Pain as a Friend
Reading Time: 3 minutesViewing pain as a friend may seem counterintuitive at first, as pain is typically associated with discomfort and distress, and friends are not. However, my perspective is rooted in the idea that pain can serve as a valuable and informative companion on our life journey. The role of pain Pain is most often thought of as an enemy, but are there situations where pain is our friend? Yes! Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) patients can lose the sensation of pain due to damaged peripheral nerves. As a result, people with leprosy suffer medical complications and death due to the absence of pain signals. For them, the sensation of pain is a friend that lets them know when they are in danger. Pain is the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. It acts as an internal alarm system, drawing attention to areas that need care and attention. Just as a caring friend tries to warn you before things go wrong, pain alerts you to potential harm or damage – prompting you to take necessary actions to address the underlying issues. This is how we survive. Chronic pain as an error signal But sometimes that friend ends up hurting you more than helping you. We all have had friends like that. Chronic pain is a dysfunctional type of pain, hurting you for no good reason. So what do you do when a human friend hurts you? You might recognize the friendship is dysfunctional, confront your friend, set boundaries, attempt reconciliation – any number of things. When it seems that your friend’s intentions are simply malicious, you might decide to turn your back on that friend and not be friends anymore. We have a similarly complicated dynamic with chronic pain, and eventually we want to find a way to and the friendship with chronic pain (not acute pain). While acute pain (that pain you feel when you touch a hot stove or slam a hammer on your thumb) helps keep us safe, chronic pain is just an error message that causes unnecessary suffering. Yet it’s usually not easy or quick to say goodbye to chronic pain, and it requires a great amount of courage and growth to do so. In the meantime, we can still treat pain – even chronic pain – like a friend. Pain has a role in personal growth Embracing pain as a friend means recognizing that challenges and difficulties often lead to personal growth. Difficult experiences can teach us important lessons about ourselves, our resilience, and our capacity to overcome obstacles. In this sense, pain becomes a wise teacher guiding us through the lessons of life. Facing and enduring pain can build resilience and inner strength. Like a friend who encourages you to face challenges head-on, pain can push you to discover untapped reserves of strength and courage within yourself. Overcoming pain fosters a sense of empowerment and confidence. Chronic pain also demands our attention and presence in the current moment. Instead of trying to avoid or numb the pain, acknowledging it allows for a deeper understanding of its source. This mindfulness can lead to a more profound connection with oneself and the ability to navigate difficult emotions with greater awareness. Chronic pain often serves as a powerful motivator for change. Just as a concerned friend might encourage you to make positive shifts in your life, the discomfort of pain can inspire a reevaluation of habits, lifestyle, and priorities, leading to positive transformations. Experiencing pain can enhance our appreciation for pleasure and joy. Like a friend who helps you appreciate the good times by contrasting them with the difficult ones, pain can amplify the beauty of life’s positive experiences. Sharing pain can also deepen connections with others. When we open up about our struggles in group coaching, for example, we often find empathy and support from those who have faced similar challenges. Pain, in this sense, becomes a common ground that fosters understanding and compassion in relationships. Shifting perspectives on pain While embracing pain as a friend doesn’t mean seeking out unnecessary suffering, it does encourage a shift in perspective. By acknowledging the role of pain in our lives and approaching it with curiosity and resilience, we can extract valuable lessons and foster personal growth. This mindset reframes pain from being solely an adversary to becoming a companion in the complex journey of life. Through intentional treatment and a supportive care team, our hope for you is that you will learn to navigate your relationship with chronic pain, such that you can reap the benefits from what living with pain has taught you but also put chronic pain in its place so it is no longer wreaking havoc on your life.
Does Living with Chronic Pain Make Us Brave?
Reading Time: 2 minutesI was getting an annual checkup the other day. While we were talking about my chronic pain, the doctor looked me in the eye and said, “you guys are the bravest of the bunch.” She said in a way that made it clear she really meant it, like she wouldn’t wish chronic pain on her worst enemy. I kept repeating the phrase over and over in my head for the next few days. What really is bravery? I’ve always thought it was funny that people refer to other people on their deathbed, suffering with cancer, or experiencing the debilitating chronic illness as “brave.” Why? What’s brave about it? It wasn’t a choice to be dealing with these things. To me, bravery always seemed like an innate characteristic that made you choose certain things – certain things that fear would’ve prevented you from doing. After all, I think that the opposite of bravery is fear. For instance, being brave to me is enlisting in the military, running into a burning building, having a difficult conversation with someone, embarking on an adventure, taking a big risk. But getting sick or experiencing pain don’t fit in that category. They aren’t something that any of us chose. Being brave and chronic pain Here’s what I decided about bravery and living with chronic pain: the way that some people with chronic pain live their lives is brave. I don’t think it can be applied to everyone with chronic pain. I don’t think that the very nature of having chronic pain makes someone brave. But I do think bravery applies to people who look their pain boldly in the face, spit at it, and tell it that it’s not going to stop them from living their best life. Better than that, they can tell the pain that they are not scared of it. (That part is easier said than done.) The reality is that it’s usually not this binary. Most people with chronic pain aren’t “brave” all the time. And that’s okay. Most of us with chronic pain go through darker periods where we are totally defeated by it, where we feel sorry for ourselves, where we hide in our beds or in front of the TV for days, and where we wish everything would stop. Bravery comes into play when we decide to pick ourselves back up. It’s when we decide to go to that in dinner or party we really don’t feel up to going to, force our bodies to move even when there’s a lot of protest from within, laughter tears, love with her whole heart, do something for other people, or enroll in a new pain program even when the last 15 haven’t worked. It’s when we dare to have hope that one day things will be better. To me, that’s bravery.
Types of Chronic Pain and Why it Matters
Reading Time: 2 minutesLiving with chronic pain can be a daily battle, affecting not only your physical well-being but also your emotional and mental health. Chronic pain is a complex condition that can manifest in various ways, and understanding the different types of pain is crucial for receiving appropriate treatment. In this blog post, we will explore the various types of pain and explain why identifying your specific type of pain is essential for effective management and relief. Nociceptive Pain Nociceptive pain is perhaps the most common type of pain. It results from the activation of nociceptors, which are specialized nerve endings that detect harmful stimuli such as tissue damage or inflammation. Nociceptive pain can be further categorized into two subtypes: Somatic Pain: This type of pain originates from the skin, muscles, bones, and joints. Conditions like arthritis, fractures, and muscle strains often lead to somatic pain. If you have this type of pain, you can usually point to where it hurts with 1 finger. Visceral Pain: Visceral pain arises from the internal organs and can be caused by conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, or gallbladder disease. This pain feels duller and vaguer. It’s hard to pinpoint the location of pain with 1 finger. Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain is the result of damage or malfunction in the nervous system itself. Unlike nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain does not serve as a warning sign of injury, but rather persists long after the initial cause is gone. Conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and sciatica fall under Mixed Pain Mixed pain is a combination of nociceptive and neuropathic pain. It often occurs when a chronic condition causes damage to both the tissues and nerves. For example, in conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), patients experience both burning and throbbing pain (nociceptive) as well as numbness and tingling (neuropathic). Central Sensitization Central sensitization occurs when the central nervous system becomes hypersensitive to pain signals, amplifying pain perception. This type of chronic pain is common in fibromyalgia, where the brain’s processing of pain signals is altered, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Why Identifying the Type of Pain Matters Understanding the specific type of pain you have is essential for several reasons: Tailored Treatment Plans: Different types of chronic pain respond differently to treatments. Knowing the underlying cause and pain type allows healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans that target the root issue. Medication Selection: Certain medications, such as anti-inflammatories would be better for nociceptive pain whereas nerve pain medications are more effective for neuropathic pain. Accurate diagnosis helps in selecting the most appropriate medication. Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and coping strategies can vary based on the type of pain. For instance, therapeutic modalities that improve pain in central sensitization would not help a person who only has nociceptive pain. Understanding your pain type empowers you to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, leading to more successful pain management strategies. Conclusion Pain is a complex and personal experience, with various types that require tailored approaches to treatment. By working closely with healthcare professionals like Override’s multispecialty chronic pain specialists to identify the type of pain you have, you can pave the way for more effective pain management and ultimately improve your quality of life. You don’t have to face chronic pain alone – seek the support and guidance from specialists to better work towards relief and recovery.
Chronic pain is surprisingly treatable — when patients focus on the brain
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