THE PAIN MANAGEMENT MACHINE

I was always curious about the pain machine. From an outsider who never had any extensive issues with ongoing symptoms of chronic pain, understanding why people chose one method of pain management over another was a mystery. I have had a personal relationship with the healthcare industry from a mental health perspective, however never as it relates to pain management. I have had a turn of events, some may call it life changes, that have brought me face to face with the machine of pain management. I am experiencing firsthand what it’s like to live with daily pain and walking the path toward self-help in pain care. First, I don’t think there is a one size fits all approach to pain management. Everyone has their own unique needs and challenges which makes operating in the machine of pain management a journey of personal awareness and learning. I’d like to take you through some of my personal pitfalls along my journey and my path towards personal ownership of recovery in hopes that it may help you in some way.

 LISTEN TO YOUR BODY WHEN IT IS IN PAIN, BELIEVE IT AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION This is probably the hardest lesson that I have learned and honestly, I am continuing the learn. When the pain first began, I brushed it off, not knowing what it was. Then I chalked it up to early onset of arthritis, even though I had no other signs. Finally, I began to get frustrated at by body. My body was attempting to tell me that something was happening and like always I was not listening. When I did finally seek medical attention, the pain was pronounced and I had added anxiety of pain management. One week later, I was involved in a car accident where I was rear ended. I sprained my neck and had added back pain. The pain now intensified and connected through my neck and back and arms. This time, I was listening and sought the medical attention my body required.

 HAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES WHEN YOU ARE SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION I can only imagine what doctors hear as descriptions of pain and are then required to diagnose it. It didn’t half occur to me until I was sitting in the waiting room that the better description of pain, location, type, time of day etc. I provided, the better they would be able to diagnose it. I did not want to fall victim to being misdiagnosed or even worse sent from doctor to doctor if it was something I could avoid. I’m not saying brush up on google teaching you medical terminology. I had to get a few good examples of when I was in pain and what the pain did to my body. I personally love metaphors but I think you use what works best to convey the information.

 IF THEY SEND YOU TO A SPECIALIST DON’T COMPLAIN, BE OPEN TO ALL POSSIBILITIES My first thought…. another co-pay or more time! However, it was evident that my primary care was not able to diagnose my pain. The specialist was a little out of the box but impressive. Even without a diagnosis, which we don’t have an official one yet, what really matters is a good treatment plan and I wanted to be open to the possibilities to find a treatment plan that worked for me.

THE POSITIVES TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE That leads to alternatives to an MD. There are so many treatment options beyond traditional primary care doctors. Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Massage, Yoga. If you want to explore the fullest extent of treatment options be open what the medical community and holistic care community can offer. Since I had my car accident I have been receiving chiropractic care on top of my physical therapy. I chose not to limit my options to taking medications unless I had to.

Since this is just the beginning of the journey stay tuned for more on what I am learning from what is turning out to feel like a maze.