Whether it’s your family member, coworker, or neighbor, many people won’t hesitate to give you tips on how to manage chronic pain. However, many of these half-educated tips are actually myths which further promote misinformation about pain itself. Ready for some real facts that are backed by real, scientific research?
Top 5 pain myths you can stop listening to
Myth #1 – It will be a permanent part of your life
Whether it comes from a pessimistic place or past experience with pain, this is a myth. If you are dealing with either short-term or long-term pain, there may be options to help. Remember that pain in your body is merely a signal to your brain that something isn’t quite right. This signal is intended to alert you to stop and see what’s going on. So, if you are struggling with pain and it seems to be on-going (and not caused by something like an obvious wound), you should get it checked by a medical professional such as a family doctor.
If your pain is caused by something that is chronic (such as arthritis) there are pain management solutions such as medications or physical therapy.
Myth #2 – Chronic pain can kill you
You’ll be happy to learn that this is a myth. Regardless of how many different types of chronic pains (such as advanced arthritis or fibromyalgia) you may be feeling at the moment, it can’t physically kill you. That’s good news, especially if you are feeling anxious about this scary “fact”. That being said, chronic pain can lead to a lower quality of life which can impact your mental health.
Many people will suffer from depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and even suicidal thoughts when dealing with moderate to severe chronic pain every single day. This is especially true if the pain is felt whenever you try to do “minor” everyday tasks such as writing an email or picking something off the floor.
If you feel as though the pain is impacting your life to the point of thinking it might kill you, intervention is key. Pain management is possible so that you don’t have to live with intense pain every single day.
Myth #3 – You have to tough it out
This is probably something you’ve heard from other people with minor pain, or from someone who’s never felt any significant amounts of pain before. Being told that you simply have to tough it out is a myth and should not be taken seriously. If it is ongoing or severe enough that it prevents you from living your life effectively, you should visit a doctor.
Going to the doctor is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign that you are taking your health seriously and doing what is necessary to keep your body strong and healthy. There’s no reason that you need to “suffer in silence”, either. If help is available, accept it. Toughing it out without proper diagnosis and support just means that you’re needlessly suffering.
Myth #4 – Just rest, you’ll feel better
Most doctors and other professionals will often recommend rest, but not all rest is equal. Staying bed-ridden is not going to help you in the long-run. In fact, it can actually hurt you. Most professionals will tell you to ease up on any kind of extreme exercise after a sports injury or try to minimize repetitive actions if you are dealing with carpal tunnel. But you’re still encouraged to perform daily activities as normally as possible. This also includes having sufficient exercise to keep your body active.
When someone tells you to “rest”, it’s more about not putting any unnecessary stress on the injured and healing parts of your body. The idea of just staying in bed in a heap of blankets and pillows is a myth that you can ignore unless you are specifically told to go on bed-rest for 3 weeks by a doctor or physiotherapist.
Myth #5 – No pain, no gain
We’ve all heard this one before. If you regularly work out and feel excruciating pain, it’s a sign that you’re doing it wrong. When it comes to pain, there are two types to be aware of. The first is “good” pain. This is when you can feel your joints and muscles warming up as you stretch for a jog, or when you are finding a spin cycle class especially effective. This can feel like pain, but it’s really your body adapting to the activity you’re doing. An example is when you are sore after a workout.
Then there’s “bad” pain. With this kind of pain, you feel like you can’t continue and are limping around while you reach for the pain killers. This means that you are either working out too much (which is actually hurting yourself), or your form is incorrect. For example, someone who is naturally stiff will never be able to do yoga with the same comfort as someone who is naturally flexible. As such, yoga may cause “bad” pain for the former.
Using Kratom for Relief
If you are seeking a natural option for relief, kratom may be a good alternative. It’s widely known for providing relief from fatigue and enhancing the mind-body connection. Kratom is popular among individuals with the following conditions such as:
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Muscular and vascular pain
Your overall health is important to protect, and how you approach pain management is a huge determining factor of your health. By debunking these popular myths about pain, you’ll be better equipped to make smarter, better choices about your body. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
