If you or someone you love lives with chronic pain, one of the most helpful things you can do is to educate yourself on the “ins and outs” of what that means. Although each person’s symptoms will be unique to their specific condition, there are some topics that still carry weight across those boundaries. Today we’re going to quiz you on those topics! So, get out your stopwatch and see how quickly and accurately you can answer these five questions about chronic pain! Aaaaaaaaand GO!
TRUE or FALSE: The brain doesn’t feel pain.
True. When an injury or flair up occurs, a message is sent to the brain via nerve fibers. The brain interprets that message as “pain.” However, the brain itself is not feeling the pain along with that message. Nociceptors – the sensory receptors for painful stimuli – don’t exist in the brain.
TRUE or FALSE: You can’t change your pain threshold.
False. There are several things you can do to increase your pain tolerance by changing your awareness of your pain as well as improving your nerve sensitivity. Some of these methods are practices you can incorporate into your daily life such as increased physical activity, stress reduction, meditation and incorporating more healthy lifestyle habits.
TRUE or FALSE: Smoking has a negative impact on chronic pain.
True. While the nicotine in cigarettes has a temporary effect of reducing pain, in the long run smoking actually makes symptoms worse. Smoking is a known cause of rheumatoid arthritis and also contributes to general inflammation, fatigue and decreased immune function. The good news is that there many incredible resources available to help with the quitting process. Talk with a member of your care team at our Benbrook TX pain clinic (locations in Lewisville and Bedford as well) for additional support and resources today!
TRUE or FALSE: Pain affects women and men differently.
True. New research is showing that psychology, societal structures and sex hormones all play a role in the different ways men and women receive pain signals. Some key findings show that women are at increased risk for chronic pain and some evidence suggests that women may experience more severe clinical pain. There’s also strong evidence that gender biases [based upon patients and providers] often influence pain treatments. However, as research and understanding grow in these areas, chronic pain specialists are learning new, more effective ways to care for all patients.
TRUE or FALSE: Chronic pain only affects physical health.
False. It has become a well-documented fact that chronic pain has a dramatic impact on a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Imagine the toll it takes on a person to have to say no to certain activities and opportunities day in and day out because of their condition. Over time, that reality – along with the discomfort of the physical symptoms – leads to depression, anxiety, loneliness and more. Thankfully, chronic pain is not something you need to deal with alone. The teams of specialists in our Lewisville, Bedford and Benbrook TX pain management clinics understand how complex a life of chronic pain can be and we’re ready to walk with you through it all.
Benbrook TX Pain Management
Along with learning something new about chronic pain, we hope this quiz gave you a little bit of a glimpse into the positive possibilities surrounding treatment options for better pain management. Our mission is to provide compassionate, innovative healthcare that exceeds our patients’ expectations. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment at one of our Texas locations (Bedford, Benbrook and Lewisville) to put us to the test!
Call 817-737-3331 to schedule today!
