The Mind-Body Connection: How Pain Management Therapy in Dallas, TX, Can Help
Living with Chronic Pain Can Be Overwhelming
If you’ve lived with debilitating physical pain for awhile, it may feel like your life revolves around it. The pain is affecting all areas of your life, and you’re no longer able to be the person you want to be. It may infiltrate your relationships and cause conflict with the people you love. Or, it has made it hard or impossible for you to work or go to school. In short, it has kept you from doing the things you love to do because it is so hard to focus on doing anything else.
When you live your life in pain, you have likely wondered to yourself if what you’re experiencing is “all in your head.” You’ve told yourself to “take your mind off of it” or to “grin and bear it.” But, that’s not possible.
I often hear concerns that starting pain management therapy validates the fact that pain is something you can mentally control. Thus, some wonder if they’re “crazy.” This breaks my heart. On top of everything else, you have to deal with shame about a condition that is not under your control.
The Mind-Body Connection and Pain Management
Unfortunately, there is a general lack of understanding about the mind-body connection. Including its relation to pain management. What many people fail to realize is that when you're under stress your pain will likely increase. This may cause things like tension headaches and muscle aches. Likewise, when you’re in pain, you’re likely to experience emotional changes. This might include irritability, depression, sadness, anxiety, and more.
The Cycle of Pain
Even if you had great mental health before the onset of your pain, you may still suffer when episodes occur. The reality is that physical pain can wreak havoc on your life. It interferes with your ability to live life to the fullest and find meaning and purpose. Furthermore, you likely have many appointments to manage alongside your normal responsibilities. You may also have many medical bills to pay off which can place your family under financial stress. That can make even the most peaceful person feel stressed and overwhelmed. Thus, causing increased pain, and perpetuating the mind-body pain cycle.
When you’ve been stuck in a loop you may feel like life is pretty hopeless. Dealing with pain and negative emotional responses can make life very difficult. You may wonder if you’ll ever feel like your old self again? As a therapist, I know the emotional and psychological toll that pain can take on an individual. In fact, studies show that living in pain correlates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. If an accident caused pain, individuals may also deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Or, have strong trauma responses.
Pain Management Therapy Can Offer Support
But, there is hope. Pain management therapy can reduce the impact of the body-mind connection as it relates to the pain you’re experiencing. A skilled chronic pain therapist can provide you with skills to help find mental peace when you’re in pain. These may include things like mindfulness, meditation, pacing, and more. You will also discuss how you can change your daily activities to better fit your needs.
Furthermore, your therapist can help guide you through anxiety about doctor's appointments, your ability to do certain tasks, fear of reinjury, and more. You will work to find clarity and create plans to cope with times of high stress without your pain spiking. They can also assist in helping you communicate in an effective way with your care team and loved ones. This way, you can better advocate for your needs and address conflict when it arises.
If you’re not ready to begin pain management therapy just yet, here are some things that I want you to keep in mind when dealing with your pain:
Cut yourself some slack, because living with pain is hard.
Do something relaxing. Take some deep breaths, meditate, do some gentle stretches, take a bath, etc.
Reach out to someone that is supportive.
Get out of the 4 walls of your house, even if that means sitting on your back porch.
Do something pleasurable that is unlikely to increase pain. (coloring sheets, text a friend, take photos, look at a favorite magazine, read, look at clouds to find formations, etc)
Begin Pain Management Therapy in Dallas, TX
You deserve support as you change your relationship with pain. Our caring therapists would love to help you improve communication and help you work through pain-related stress. we offer support from our Dallas, TX-based counseling practice. If you’re ready to start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist from our team
Start finding peace through the pain
Other Services Offered at Sunrise Counseling
Pain management therapy isn’t the only service offered by our Dallas, TX-based counseling office. We provide many services for those living in the Dallas area and throughout the state. Other mental health services offered include:
Social Difficulties
Attention Difficulties
Self-esteem issues
Body image
Parent training
LGBTQ+ Concerns
Grief and Loss
Career concerns
Adjustment difficulties due to various life changes
Depression
Teen Therapy