Chronic pain touches every aspect of our daily lives, perhaps nowhere more powerfully than in the area of relationships. If you are dealing with chronic pain, someone you love is also dealing with it. Finding the right pain management doctor in Miami and Coral Gables can lead to effective and long-lasting treatment of the cause of your pain, not just your symptoms. We owe it to ourselves and to our loved ones to find a solution, and the best time to regain your pain-free life is now!  

Your pain affects your family and friends

Family and friends alike can be greatly affected by your chronic pain in ways that can last long after the pain is diagnosed and the treatment begins. Unfortunately, pain dictates how engaged you are with family members and friends: how much attention you give them, how much quality time you spend with them, how easygoing and cheerful you are. If you are in pain, you may be easily irritated, impatient or even inconsiderate of other people’s problems. When pain holds you back from doing your fair share at home or work, it is your co-workers, family and friends who step in to help. Feelings such as frustration, resentment, and stress often appear as a side effect. These feelings and emotions can exacerbate the sensation of pain and worsen your condition. Your pain management doctor in Coral Gables should know which treatment will best suit your pain management needs, and will advise you on the most effective therapy so you can fully enjoy your life again.  

Find out more about pain management treatments: Prolotherapy Miami, Prp Miami, Stem Cell therapy Miami

Your pain affects your partner

The truth is, it is usually your significant other who is most affected by your condition. Chronic pain can be the cause of frustration around the house, with regards to household chores or even your intimate life. Sexuality and intimacy may suffer due to the pain itself, but they may deteriorate further due to the frustrations experienced as a result of the unequal distribution of responsibilities. In extreme cases, when the partners of pain sufferers are the primary breadwinner, main caretaker (of children and often also of the pain patient) and head of household chores – it may simply be overwhelming, and they may react with resentment. Financial strain (medical bills) can also be a cause of conflict. The consequences of inadequate or unprofessional treatment can be severe, both to your health and to your pocket. That’s why it is vital to make a right choice when deciding which pain management doctor in Coral Gables or Miami to choose.

Your pain affects your parenting

Parenting with chronic pain can be a particularly difficult struggle, as it is unlikely that young children will understand a “boo-boo” that isn’t visible and doesn’t immediately go away. As a result, many pain patients may not enjoy spending time with their children as much as they would like to. They often display unnecessary annoyance, impatience or an overly stern demeanor. These difficult relationships with children can lead to feelings of insufficiency as a parent, which can, if they persist, turn into deep sadness or low self-esteem as a person and a parent; in extreme cases, they may even lead to depression.

Pain vs. stress and sleep, and why the right pain management doctor in Miami can help

Stress has both physical and emotional effects on our bodies. When the brain experiences stress, it prepares the body for a possible imminent threat: it raises blood pressure, increases breathing rate and heart rate, and causes muscle tension. Although these are natural and desired body reactions when facing a real threat (i.e. they make us respond faster, run faster or hit stronger), if they last over an extended period of time, they can be extremely hard on the body. Stress can lead to anxiety, depression, a dependence on others, or an unhealthy dependence on certain medicine. It can also lead to changes in appetite, fatigue or sleeping problems.

When sleep becomes unsatisfying (not long enough, too short, interrupted, etc.), feelings of depression, anxiety, and pain become much more intense. When such situations persist, the brain also begins to anticipate the pain, leading to anxiety and a hypervigilance that is normally associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Now your body is just one step away from falling into the vicious circle where chronic pain can lead to depression and depression can lead to chronic pain.

Chronic pain goes beyond just the physical. It impacts mental and emotional health and may lead to strain in your relationships. To find out how you can start living your life without pain, contact Dr. Charles Mahl – our pain management doctor in Miami: (844) 859-7788 (toll free) or (305) 332-7234.

Further reading: Pain management in Coral Gables

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