When Managing Your Pain, It’s the Little Things That Count

Life’s little victories. Most of us take them for granted. Hopping out of bed, getting ready for work, driving to the job site, shopping on the way home, cooking, socializing with family and friends and otherwise getting on with duties and joys of our daily lives.

For those suffering with chronic pain, however, any one of those acts could be a major victory for those who simply can’t do many of the activities the rest of us never think twice about.

Every day, patients come to us for multi-disciplinary, interventional treatments with an eye to getting their lives back. Most often, their goals are simple, that is, just to do the ordinary things they once did that are now limited by the magnitude of their pain.

Once they’ve accomplished that, we love hearing their uplifting stories of the impact on pain management on their lives. It’s not the kind of thing you read in the paper: “Man Goes to Grocery!” or “Woman Plays with Her Child!” But these are real stories of heroism, persistence and reclamation. You can find reviews on our website of our opinions of us, but we like it best when they tell them about themselves.

Many who have been blinded and bound by pain for years now are taking joy in, well, pretty much everything and learning more about themselves every day. It is not unusual to hear or read accounts of those whose pain is now under control and how it has helped them recapture what they lost. In that regard, it’s not unusual to hear them report that:

• They are reaching out to family and friends, knowing they can interact without having their pain as the central topic.
• They understand the impact their pain had on family members and friends and glad to share their renewed life with them.
• They have learned to be patient, doing what it takes to get better and not expecting too much too soon.
• They are concentrating on their health, wellness and fitness as never before, losing weight and seeing exercise as an avenue and not a wall.
• Now realizing that pain is invisible, they are more empathetic as to what others may be going through.
• They believe they have taken back control of their lives and energized by not letting the pain manage them.
• They’re conquering the depression that often accompanies chronic pain by setting reasonable goals, maintaining their pain management strategies and celebrating every one of those little victories.

If you, or someone you know, struggles with chronic pain, encourage them to call us for a consultation. We understand and we want to help.