According to studies at the Johns Hopkins Institute, around 50 million persons in the United States are living with chronic pain. Individuals, families, and the economy all bear a heavy burden for this. Pain, for example, accounts for $80 billion in lost income each year. This is a massive loss to the economy and will also significantly affect the standard of living of the individual experiencing chronic pains. Pain and related medical disorders significantly impact one’s quality of life and capacity to do daily tasks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and current medical research, roughly 20% of Americans may be suffering from long-term pain. This form of long-term pain is frequently coupled with other chronic diseases, which can have a negative impact on a person’s life.

Can I Work With Chronic Pain?

You might be able to crash through some daily activities, but not all the time. This usually depends on the level of pain that you feel. Assume you have a chronic pain syndrome that makes it difficult for you to work. In that instance, the Social Security Administration may be able to help you file for Social Security Disability benefits. However, proving the presence of pain in this capacity is difficult. This is why you are always advised to visit a medical professional to give you a credible diagnosis and report. You must show the SSA that the source of your discomfort is a mental or physical impairment included on their approved list of impairments. Once you do this, you are in the clear to receive benefits. 

Chronic pain seldom goes away, but one can manage it with various treatments that work well. Scientists are still researching pain problems, and more effective treatments should result from advances in neuroscience and more profound knowledge of the human body. It’s critical to get mental health treatment if you experience chronic pain, despair, and anxiety. Depression and anxiety, if left untreated, can exacerbate your pain and reduce your quality of life.

Is Chronic Pain A Disability?

Even though there is a high chance of getting financial aid for having chronic pain, one might not see it as a disability. The differences between chronic pain and other forms of pain are so blurry that one can conflate them for one another. However, one certain thing is that you can live with them even while being on a disability aid for the pain. If you follow some simple routines and lifestyle habits, you might cope with it just fine. 

Living With Chronic Pain

Take care of yourself at all times, in addition to taking medications, going to therapy, and making lifestyle changes. These are the closest things to natural treatment for chronic pain. It does not matter if you are in pain; personal well-being is essential. The steps listed below can assist you in coping with chronic pain and improving your overall health:

• Smoking and alcohol intake should be avoided.
• Don’t overextend yourself. Make a daily plan with a few priorities and stick to it.
• Rest whenever you have the chance to
• Join a chronic pain support group to learn from others going through the same thing.
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Control your anxiety.
• Make an effort to think optimistically.

What are the Risk Factors Of Chronic Pain?

Living with chronic pain can be easier if one employs some effective lifestyle changes. However, did you know that there are risk factors for chronic pain? There are various risk factors for chronic pain because various diseases or traumas can cause it. Some happen naturally, while some are caused by poor lifestyle choices or activities. The following are some of the risk factors:

• Age: Arthritis and neuropathy are more likely to cause persistent pain in older persons. Everyone can agree on why this happens, and it is one of the natural causes of chronic pains. 

• Genetics: Some chronic pain conditions, such as migraines, run in families. You are quite likely to develop illnesses that your parents experienced, especially those genetically transmitted. So make sure to pay attention to your family to see if chronic pain is more common than it should be.
• Weight and Size: Obesity can exacerbate certain health disorders that cause pain, such as arthritis, by putting additional pressure on your joints. This is why eating healthy and exercising regularly are very important.
• Trauma: If you’ve suffered a traumatic injury in the past, you’re more likely to have chronic pain in the future. Physical trauma from dangerous activities and accidents usually weakens the body, especially if they happen frequently. 
• Heavy-duty work: This is quite similar to trauma, and it occurs as a result of the weakening of the body over time. Working in a physically demanding profession: If you work in a physically demanding job, you’re more likely to suffer chronic pain than you might expect.
• Stress: Chronic pain has been linked to both regular stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to studies.
• Smoking: If you smoke, you’re more likely to acquire medical disorders that necessitate the use of chronic pain medication.

Can Therapy Help?

Therapy can go a long way in helping you get through chronic pain. It might not eliminate the pain completely, but it might find the root cause and give a vital insight into what to do about it. The following therapies may aid in the management of chronic pain:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of counseling teaches you how to manage suffering by changing how you think about it. A mind is a powerful tool, and it influences many body functions, even though we might not be aware of them.
• Counseling: Talk therapy, particularly psychogenic pain, can help you manage chronic pain.
• Physical therapy: This type of treatment incorporates stretching and strengthening exercises that might help you feel better. However, you should also try occupational therapy which teaches you how to perform routine tasks with the most minimal levels of discomfort.

Treating Chronic Pain Holistically in the San Francisco Area

Having chronic pain is not the end of the world. There are numerous treatments for chronic pain, and some medical professionals even recommend getting a natural treatment for chronic pain. However, the first step is to consciously make some positive lifestyle changes to help reduce the pain while you see a professional for help. 

To learn more about holistic treatment options for chronic pain in the San Francisco Bay area, call 408-547-4089 and talk to a member of the Silicon Valley Recovery team today!