The Root Cause of Chronic Pain: The Search for the "Why"
Michelle Marikos
Peer Support Specialist ???? PEER? Method creator & facilitator. Helping providers and people living with chronic pain communicate with empathy to restore wellbeing and avert burnout. 2X certified. CLICK ??
Do We Need to Know the Root Cause and the "Why"? Does It Matter?
The question of whether it's essential to pinpoint the exact cause of chronic pain is complex. On one hand, understanding the root cause can lead to more targeted and effective treatments. For example, identifying an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis can guide the use of anti-inflammatory medications, while recognizing central sensitization can lead to different therapeutic approaches.
However, in many cases, chronic pain does not have a clear or singular cause. This ambiguity can be frustrating, both for patients seeking relief and for healthcare providers aiming to offer effective treatment. Yet, the search for the "why" still holds value:
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Moving Forward with Empathy
As we continue to explore the root causes of chronic pain, empathy and compassion must guide our approach. Medical providers should strive to understand the lived experiences of those with chronic pain, acknowledging the physical and emotional burdens they carry. For patients, seeking support from peers, engaging in self-care practices, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers can help navigate this challenging journey.
At Moving Through Chronic Pain, we emphasize bridging the gap between providers and patients. By fostering empathy, enhancing communication, and educating both parties, we aim to improve the quality of life for those living with chronic pain. Understanding the "why" behind chronic pain is a complex but essential part of this mission, offering hope for more effective treatments and, ultimately, a better quality of life for all.
I help migraine warriors find their voice??
5 个月Great post! I’ve worked with the root cause to migraine disease from an emotional perspective, as well as medical. Louise hay’s “you can heal your life” lists all of them though they are not necesssrily the most comfortable to sit with or straight forward to connect with (took me 2 and 3 years for 2 parts for me). Medically, the less known root cause of an “inability to regulate emotions” sent me on the journey of learning to regulate my emotions - an aspect of my healing that took my further than many consider to be possible. The holistic psychologist maintains that a dysregulated nervous system is the root cause of all illness; physical and mental. (Dysregulated emotions being one part of a dysregulated nervous system) As I delve even further into research, I’m finding there is tons of science, evidence and research to support all of this. Yet, for some unknown reason, we have chosen not to teach it in medical schools, even though it’s been known for many decades.