Regardless of what type of pain you suffer from--fibromyalgia, adhesion pain, whiplash, or others--there are a few general tips that can help you receive the best treatment possible. According to Pain Pathways magazine (Spring 2010 Issue, pages 56-57), there are six small steps that every pain patient should take when receiving and deciding about treatment options.
The first step is to simply see your doctor. As mentioned in previous posts, thousands of Americans suffer in silence and wait months or years before seeking treatment for their pain. It is very important to not wait that long to seek treatment, since in most cases of chronic pain, the problems will not go away over time. In fact, the pain may only get worse. The second step is to be an active patient. This means being well-informed, asking questions, and exploring all routes of treatment options that seem desirable or feasible for you. The third step is to make a sustained commitment to managing your pain. It is easily to get discouraged when dealing with chronic pain, since effective pain management usually involves a variety of treatments and a trial and error process. As long as you remind yourself that there will be an effective pain management regimen that works right for you, staying committed to finding that regimen will be much easier.
The fourth step is realizing the importance that your physical health plays in successful treatment. This means that you should keep yourself as healthy as possible when dealing with chronic pain. Secondary health-related problems such as being overweight, drinking, smoking, and not exercising will only exacerbate your chronic pain condition. The fifth step is very related to the fourth, except that it involves taking care of your psychological health. Keeping your attitude positive and upbeat while self-monitoring for the development of any mood disorders is critical to managing your pain. You cannot effectively manage your pain when your psychological health is also suffering. The sixth and final step is to talk with others who have the same condition. Not only does this allow you find out more about different treatment options that you did not know about before, it also provides a network of support that you need to deal with your condition.
Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer located in Altoona, PA and serves the central and western Pennsylvania area. For more information on him and his firm, please click here.
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