Just more details from the field- Thought about this article when I encountered a woman with chronic pain married to a guy who had chronic pain last night. I seem to recall we have some members who have had some long term problems. For those who don't know the definition of chronic pain- usually this pertains to pain lasting more than 6 months, and often begins to change the personsality (and relationships of the person). We often start by understanding "where" the individual is- afraid damage is indicated by pain, limiting activities due to fear of pain, wanting relief of pain without change in lifestyle, seeking ways to be active/manage activities, pain associated with attention/depression, or some combination thereof (usually the latter really require a holistic team approach). The person is also part of an environment, spouses included. Some spouses are well meaning and help (or enable), some try a "hard" approach that jumpstarts the individual (or makes them feel less worthy), some try and understand and be truly helpful, some can't see the "invisible" injury and "just want things the way they were". Things can seem a whole lot simpler in the article compared to real life. Sometimes the treatment is easier than others, sometimes things seem more bizarre. Treatment has expanded over the years and I am glad there are people I can refer patients to. Gradually there has been more emphasis on function and pain control (hence the recent upswing of requests for people to "rate their pain"- generally 0/10 no pain to 10/10 worst pain). The range of treatments has really grown and can include conventional medication, injections, acupuncture, soft tissue work, biofeedback, internal stimulators or pain dispensing devices, etc. just to name a few. This type of client is a classic example that treatment involves a whole person and not just body parts.
Dee (advocate of an old french saying translating to "movement is life", but I never quite seem to get around to tracking down the attribution) _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
