Oftentimes there is lifestyle difficulty that comes with chronic pain. People have difficulty with the expectations put upon them in society, and they also have to deal with their personal pain and suffering.
Many are taught to push aside illness and to “grin and bare it,” especially when the problem is not visible to the outside world. We often deal with invisible sources of pain—at least to the naked eye. A person suffering with chronic pain may look completely healthy to the outside world, yet be suffering terribly. Additionally, pain levels are not always static; one day may bring terrible pain and the next may be tolerable or very little. Sometimes it is one activity versus a different activity that causes a variance in pain.
There are many stories of isolation due to pain. Both physical isolation because of physical limitations and emotional isolation. Often a patient becomes isolated or depressed because their non-visible pain is mocked, or disregarded by family, friends and associates.
People may have the best of intentions, however in the general population, the concept of pain is one that is caused by an illness or injury, and then dissipates when the patient is cured or healed. This is not the case with chronic pain sufferers. Their pain may not leave and may worsen. This seems illogical to people and it may cause them to be insensitive.
Furthermore, neither age, nor race, nor socioeconomic status is a determinant of chronic pain. Anyone may suffer, although society tends to expect certain populations, such as the elderly, to be those typically suffering with pain.
We can help anyone with their pain related problems. At Michigan Spine and Pain we have a tremendous amount of resources to help patients with pain that is chronic, visible, invisible….anything. Let us help you reduce your pain. Call us anytime at 800-586-7992 or contact us HERE.
