Feeling Chronic Pain & Depression? A Chiropractor May Help
When chronic pain and depression take over, life completely changes. I have watched seniors struggle with this as severe arthritis, low back pain or intense headaches settle in and then dominate their lives.
What this looks like
As the pain refuses to leave, they became more and more irritated, sleep poorly and begin to flounder in daily tasks. Little tasks become incredibly big challenges, leaving the person frustrated and afraid of what might be next. Anger flares. Feelings of worthlessness are common. People who never gave up before frequently want to give up.
Why chronic pain is so different
If pain occurs and it gradually starts to leave most of us can deal with that. A broken bone or sprained wrist hurts, heals, and then gradually is forgotten. But chronic pain with no end date to cling to is an entirely different matter.That can be devastating.
Linked to the chronic pain, depression frequently settles in too, magnifying the situation even more. One slip really does lead to many more. Not surprising, the chronic pain create a sadness and a flood of depressed defeating feelings.
Visiting the chiropractor for answers
Together with the doctor and the therapist, a chiropractor may be able to help break through this overwhelming cycle. The chiropractor’s first visit will serve to help identify the cause of the chronic pain, as an initial spinal evaluation is done along with a review of medical history and daily activities. The chiropractor’s goal is to help relieve pain and restore normal functions without medication or surgery. Often the chiropractor may be able to help the patient refocus his life, staying as active as possible, and learning new ways to relax and redirect attention.
Instead of focusing only on the pain, the patient learns to create periods of distraction tending to hobbies or other interests. One senior started planting new seedlings on her porch with the help of her niece. Those growing things were a refreshing positive in her life in the midst of the pain, that helped her keep going and eventually successfully turn the corner. As the treatment evolves, the chiropractor will have other suggestions and often encourage the patient to enlist family in recovery. Having your own team to back you up always helps, and in this case it can make the difference.
Overall, the chiropractor may become a master coordinator tracking the patient’s progress and helping to pull all of the threads back together to successfully cope with the impact of chronic pain. If you or someone in your family is facing chronic pain and depression, see your doctor and your chiropractor for assistance now.