Many people struggle with chronic pain in this country. Typically, they develop a pain management plan with their medical provider. For instance, medication management is often part of this plan.
However, how does counseling factor into a pain management plan? Is there a place for mental health and healing?
The answer is a resounding yes. There are so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions associated with chronic pain. Chronic pain changes the way you think. It interrupts the way you make decisions and plan ahead. Therapy, then, can be very helpful when it comes to your pain management plan and finding relief.
For instance, if you were very active once in your life, but now struggle with debilitating pain, that’s a real loss that needs to be addressed.
Below, consider why you should include counseling as part of your overall pain management treatment plan.
Grieving the Loss
As mentioned above, the shift from relative health to a persistently painful state who must cope with discomfort and disability is a real loss. Oftentimes, we associate grief with death or even an obvious physical injury. Yet, chronic pain isn’t always noticeable from the outside. A loss of mobility and function can be hard to bear. Counseling will help you by processing that loss. This is so that it doesn’t become a long-term burden that you have to bear.
When You’re Overwhelmed by Pain
Another reason to include counseling in your pain management plan is to help you strategize what to do when you feel overwhelmed. This may be a tool for when you are experiencing pain. But not always. Sometimes just thinking about the pain or all the things you need to do to manage it can be very stressful. You may get overwhelmed and flustered. Nothing may seem to be in your control, even your own body.
In counseling, you will learn coping strategies that will help in those moments. That way, you don’t have to experience the panic that comes from feeling overwhelmed.
Chronic Pain and Hopelessness
When you feel hopeless, it’s likely because, deep inside, you believe that nothing is going to change. You will never get better or heal. Of course, every case is different. It may be that your chronic pain won’t disappear. But it can be managed and treated optimally.
You can have the possibility to live a more fulfilling life with the support of a qualified therapist. If you’ve been feeling hopeless about your situation, it’s important to get help. If you can’t wait for a therapy session, reach out to a reliable loved one who can help you secure immediate care. If you are wrestling with thoughts of self-harm please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 now.
A Healthy Place to Vent
We all need a place to simply vent from time to time. You carry with frustration, anger, and resentment because of your chronic pain. Why not let all that go? Counseling is an emotionally safe environment in which you can let go of those emotions while being supported by your therapist. By relieving yourself of these issues, you can focus more on strategies that work, rather than the negativity and unhelpful thoughts that make life more difficult.
Staying in Control
Nothing is in your control when it comes to chronic pain. Is this how you approach the world and your pain? What if there were five, ten, even twenty things that are in your control? Sometimes, when we are stuck in a situation like chronic pain, it’s tough to know which way to turn. In therapy, you will have the chance to gain some perspective. Your therapist will have insight into opportunities that you didn’t even realize. Maybe you can’t wish away the pain. But there are most likely many things that you can do to manage it and still live your life.
It isn’t easy living with or managing pain. That’s why it’s important that you have support. Including therapy in your overall pain management plan is part of a productive future. Pain doesn’t just affect the body. It also has a devastating impact on your mental health as well. You don’t have to wait another day. Reach out soon to learn more about how counseling for pain management will help.