The Link Between Chronic Pain and Depression
By Debra Rodzinak
Pain serves a purpose. It lets us know when we have pushed our body too far. It also reminds us to take care of our bodies. However, when pain lasts for weeks, months, or even years, the effects can be devastating.
Those who suffer with chronic pain often have no specific area that they can point to and often feel that there is no help. Headaches, lower back pain, arthritis, and joint pain are all complaints of people who have suffered with chronic pain. To make it even worse, in the past, some doctors who couldn’t identify a specific reason for the pain would tell patients, “It’s all in your head,” leading patients to feel hopeless.
Scientific Evidence
As we begin to understand chronic pain more and more, there is emerging scientific evidence that shows the nerves of the spine actually change their structure for patients with chronic pain. With chronic pain comes the loss of those “everyday” activities that let people feel in touch with their friends and family.
For example, a person who develops chronic pain may have to turn over particular household tasks like laundry, driving, or cleaning, to their spouse. A worker may have to rely on coworkers more and more to do simple tasks. These changes of helplessness can lead to depression, family strain, or increased stress with relationships.
Depression and Chronic Pain
People who have chronic pain have depression three or four times more often than those who do not. Between 30 to 80 percent of chronic pain sufferers will develop some type of depression. The thought is that those who suffer with chronic pain see dramatic changes in their quality of life. Sleep, daily activities, and social interactions are all affected by chronic pain, which leads to depression. Depression increases the chronic pain which leads the patient to dive even further into isolation, which increases the depression. The cycle continues until the patient finds pain relief.
Dealing with Chronic Pain
Finding relief for chronic pain can be hard. However, the expert doctors at The Joint can guide you to a treatment plan for overall wellness beginning with your spine. Since many instances of chronic pain are spinal or joint related, with gentle spinal adjustments, patients often find relief without drugs or surgery.
If you are suffering from chronic pain, drop by The Joint for an all natural spinal adjustment. With no pesky insurance forms to fill out or appointment times to remember, finding help for your chronic pain is just a walk-in away.