If you thought a pain in the neck was inconvenient, try on chronic lower back pain for size. (Just kidding – both sound uncomfortable.) In a recent article, Prevention magazine suggests easily administered treatments for the latter kind of pain. Tips include paying attention to your body by noticing if you pronate your feet, taking action by attending yoga classes, and winding down with massage or acupuncture sessions.
Recognizing that back pain's sometimes intractable nature can cause stress in other forms, the piece continues:
No, the pain isn't in your head. But what is in your head could be making it worse. "Fear, anxiety, and catastrophizing can amplify pain," says [Stanford anesthesiologist Sean Mackey, MD, PhD]. "People often get swept up in thoughts like This will never get better." Because brain circuits that process pain overlap dramatically with circuits involved with emotions, panic can translate into actual pain. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you recognize and reframe negative thoughts. Deep breathing can help, too, as can simply shining a light on dark thoughts. "Start by accepting that you have pain," Mackey says. "Then say to yourself, It will get better."
Previously: Stanford researchers address the complexities of chronic pain, Exploring the mystery of pain, Exploring the use of yoga to improve the health and strength of bones and Ask Stanford Med: Pain expert responds to questions on integrative medicine
Via @StanfordHosp
Photo by U.S. Army
