Chronic pain can be debilitating, impacting nearly every area of your life. In addition to causing difficulties at work or in performing certain tasks on your job, it can make it harder to take care of your home and prevent you from enjoying hobbies and activities with family and friends. If you are one of the millions of people who suffer chronic pain, you also know the heavy toll it can take on your emotional health. At Spine & Orthopedic Specialists Tulsa, our goal is to make being pain-free a reality for you. While our doctors and staff will work with you to manage and treat underlying injuries or illnesses, the following tips can help you cope with your condition at home.

What Is Chronic Pain?

If you are suffering with chronic pain, you are not alone. Researchers with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that 25 million people live with pain on a daily basis. For nearly half of these people, the pain they suffer is debilitating and severe. There are different types of pain people experience:

  • Acute pain, which occurs after an accident or when recovering from an illness. This tends to be temporary and gets progressively better over time.
  • Ongoing pain, as the result of cancer and other debilitating diseases. Patients may go through periods of remission, but this type of pain tends to worsen as the disease progresses.
  • Chronic pain, which involves varying levels of discomfort that occur over a period of months or even years.

In some cases, chronic pain is related to an old injury or to a disease, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. In others, the cause is not clear or as easy to identify.

Dealing with Chronic Pain

At Spine & Orthopedic Specialists Tulsa, our doctors will work with you to diagnose and treat the causes of your chronic pain, offering solutions to provide you with relief. To help deal with the stress and emotional havoc that can go along with being in pain on a regular basis, the American Psychological Association (APA) recommends the following tips:

  • Take care of yourself: Eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities you enjoy can help lower your stress and improve your overall mood.
  • Avoid isolating: There are a variety of support groups available in the community and online. It is important to reach out to family and friends as well. You will often find many who are both willing and able to help.
  • Use distractions: Developing a hobby, such as painting, journaling, reading, or doing crafts, can help distract you from the painful symptoms you experience.
  • Communicate with our doctors and staff: We have extensive experience in treating patients in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. By communicating regularly regarding your symptoms, we can offer suggestions catered to your specific needs.

Reach Out Today

If you have been dealing with ongoing, chronic pain, our doctors and staff are here to help you find a solution. Call or contact our office online today, and request an appointment to see how Spine & Orthopedic Specialists Tulsa can help make being pain-free a reality for you.