October 15, 2019 —Pain is defined as physical suffering or discomfort
caused by illness or injury. Pain is your
body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
More than 76 million people in the United
States live with chronic pain. Pain interrupts a
person’s quality of life. Pain can have an effect
on multiple areas of your health and well-being,
including physical, social, and emotional effects.
Normal daily activities, such as dressing or bathing,
may become more difficult. Sleeping and
eating habits may be disrupted. Pain can cause
feelings of anxiety and depression, which may
lead to decreased activity.
There are two different kinds of pain: acute
and chronic. Acute pain usually begins suddenly,
lasts for a short time, and diminishes as the
body heals. Causes of acute pain may include
surgery, infections, or musculoskeletal injuries.
Chronic pain lasts for at least three months or
for years. It is associated with common conditions
such as arthritis, low back problems, fibromyalgia,
or nerve damage from diabetes.
The goal of treating pain is to first identify
and eliminate the cause, which is usually a
specific trauma or infection. Your doctor may
prescribe medications or physical or occupational
therapy. Other alternative approaches include
massage therapy, taiChi, and biofeedback. It is
important to maintain a healthy weight and to
exercise.
Therapy can help by analyzing your unique
situation, which can often result in simple solutions.
The rehab team is specially trained to
help adults with a broad range of conditions that
affect pain management. They can also identify
lifestyle changes that can facilitate a reduction in
pain.
For more information or to schedule a consultation please contact Ashley Brunty at 464-2630
or adbrunty@kalex.kendal.org.
-Originally published in the February 2017 Residents’ Newsletter