Comments on: Living with Chronic Pain http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:42:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Janice Feuerhelm http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6207 Janice Feuerhelm Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:30:19 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6207 In response to Heidi and Avery: You are both correct in saying that helping people look outside themselves is key to bringing back meaning into the lives of those with chronic pain. Some other concrete things they can do is to learn pacing techniques. I often teach patients I work with to learn to pace their activities, "maybe you can knit for 15-30 minutes w/o pain instead of 45 minutes w/pain." They don't have to necessarily do all their housework in one morning, they can learn to pace their activities/chores during the week. Also, exercise, even small amounts of exercise/walking can be very helpful. Learning relaxation techniques is probably one of the most beneficial activities one can do to lower their levels of tension/anxiety/stress/pain. I think it is key though to really build their ego strength so they believe they have the ability to manage their pain. Thanks for the comments. In response to Heidi and Avery: You are both correct in saying that helping people look outside themselves is key to bringing back meaning into the lives of those with chronic pain. Some other concrete things they can do is to learn pacing techniques. I often teach patients I work with to learn to pace their activities, “maybe you can knit for 15-30 minutes w/o pain instead of 45 minutes w/pain.” They don’t have to necessarily do all their housework in one morning, they can learn to pace their activities/chores during the week. Also, exercise, even small amounts of exercise/walking can be very helpful. Learning relaxation techniques is probably one of the most beneficial activities one can do to lower their levels of tension/anxiety/stress/pain. I think it is key though to really build their ego strength so they believe they have the ability to manage their pain.

Thanks for the comments.

]]> By: avery http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6149 avery Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:54:47 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6149 There are two types of activities that I can think of that would help someone see the outside world again. The first, and probably most helpful, would be getting involved in a helping organization. The client may need some assistance with finding an activity that would work with the pain rather than against it. But, helping others is often the key to looking outside your own condition. The second was mentioned in the blog. Finding a hobby is critical to looking outside one's own condition. Generally, the client will meet new people and realize new strengths. By learning how to do something new that develops into a passion, patients with chronic pain often find new meaning to their lives. They may have to try more than one hobby, but once they find one they love, their lives will change dramatically. There are two types of activities that I can think of that would help someone see the outside world again. The first, and probably most helpful, would be getting involved in a helping organization. The client may need some assistance with finding an activity that would work with the pain rather than against it. But, helping others is often the key to looking outside your own condition. The second was mentioned in the blog. Finding a hobby is critical to looking outside one’s own condition. Generally, the client will meet new people and realize new strengths. By learning how to do something new that develops into a passion, patients with chronic pain often find new meaning to their lives. They may have to try more than one hobby, but once they find one they love, their lives will change dramatically.

]]> By: Christie http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6147 Christie Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:51:40 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6147 In response to Heidi's comment, what are some concrete things people with chronic pain can do to help them realize that there is a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered? It seems as if someone who is having a hard time looking outside of himself or herself would have a hard time finding a way out of that hole. Offering small steps of some sort would probably be helpful. Any ideas? In response to Heidi’s comment, what are some concrete things people with chronic pain can do to help them realize that there is a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered? It seems as if someone who is having a hard time looking outside of himself or herself would have a hard time finding a way out of that hole. Offering small steps of some sort would probably be helpful. Any ideas?

]]> By: Heidi http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6145 Heidi Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:49:56 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6145 Another helpful attitude may be a willingness to look outside oneself. So often, people with chronic pain can only see their situation and how it is affecting their lives. When those with chronic pain develop an ability to see that the world is still spinning, they become less focused on themselves and more focused on the world around them. If those with chronic pain allow themselves to stay in their own little world of pain and often chaos, the aforementioned depression will surely come into play. Therapists who can help clients with chronic pains open their eyes to the world around them, therapists have helped their clients cope more effectively with their condition. Another helpful attitude may be a willingness to look outside oneself. So often, people with chronic pain can only see their situation and how it is affecting their lives. When those with chronic pain develop an ability to see that the world is still spinning, they become less focused on themselves and more focused on the world around them. If those with chronic pain allow themselves to stay in their own little world of pain and often chaos, the aforementioned depression will surely come into play. Therapists who can help clients with chronic pains open their eyes to the world around them, therapists have helped their clients cope more effectively with their condition.

]]> By: Laura http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6143 Laura Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:47:12 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/01/22/living-with-chronic-pain/#comment-6143 The author is very insightful when she focuses on three healthy attitudes that can help someone deal with chronic pain. I am always amazed how some people can take all of their experiences with clients and find commonalities between them. It takes an ability to absorb details and mentally categorize millions of those details. So, my hat is off to the author for paying such close attention to her clients and spending the time necessary to create a helpful list. The author is very insightful when she focuses on three healthy attitudes that can help someone deal with chronic pain. I am always amazed how some people can take all of their experiences with clients and find commonalities between them. It takes an ability to absorb details and mentally categorize millions of those details. So, my hat is off to the author for paying such close attention to her clients and spending the time necessary to create a helpful list.

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