I’ve cared for patients in a healthcare setting for the last 16 years, but it wasn’t until my own battle with chronic pain that I had an important realization about health: it starts with you. It takes a will to get better. That willpower is what inspired me to overcome chronic pain on my journey … Continue reading My journey to get better: How I lost weight and overcame chronic pain
Every day, we read yet another headline about the heartbreaking toll of opioid abuse and addiction on American families and communities. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under the age of 50. Seven out of 10 Americans view opioid addiction as a serious problem and more than … Continue reading Amid opioid crisis, it’s time we rethink how to treat pain
More than one in 10 American adults experienced pain every day for the past three months, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. When pain lasts three months or longer, it is considered chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain in the U.S. lies at the root of an ongoing epidemic of prescription … Continue reading For chronic pain, opioids are not a good long-term solution
Opioids can be useful immediately after surgery for postoperative pain control, but there is a tendency to overprescribe. A recent study found that 6 percent of patients continued to use the drugs for at least three months after surgery. “Traditionally, doctors would prescribe (opioids) until the patient phone calls stopped,” said Walter Peters, MD, chief … Continue reading Reducing the risk of opioid abuse after surgery
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 44 people fatally overdose on prescription opioids daily in the U.S. That exceeds the daily number of deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes. One forecast estimates that as many as 650,000 people — nearly the combined population of the cities of Arlington and Plano — … Continue reading How Baylor Scott & White Health is combatting the growing opioid epidemic
When we experience pain, we want it to be over as soon as possible. So it might seem counterintuitive when a doctor recommends the practice of mindfulness — being fully present in the moment — to reduce pain levels. How could being present help? The answer is in changing the way your mind perceives pain, … Continue reading How being mindful can help you manage your chronic pain
Chronic pain sufferers, take heart. Advances in pain management may offer the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. “Chronic pain,” which is a pain that lasts more than six months, not only affects everyday living but also everything from mood to relationships to job performance and affects an estimated 116 million Americans every day. “Chronic pain can … Continue reading What a Relief! Chronic Pain Sufferers, Take Heart.
This may sound counterintuitive, but medical experts agree — if you have aching knees, sitting on the sidelines might not be the answer. Getting out and exercising may be the best way to get rid of your knee pain. Sacheen Mehta, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at … Continue reading 4 exercises for aching knees
When you’re a child, you’re asked to point to a series of frowning faces to rate your pain. As an adult, you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Pain is subjective. Ralph Monte, PsyD, a post-doctoral fellow in Health Psychology, explains the psychology of pain. “Pain is a subjective experience. Unfortunately, … Continue reading Pain Really Is in Your Head
Patricia hardly ever leaves her house. In fact, she hardly ever leaves her sofa. Years of chronic pain have left her depressed, lonely and hopeless. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Ralph Monte, PsyD, post-doctoral fellow in Health Psychology, offers some tips on coping with chronic pain. “First off, we help you realize … Continue reading Coping with Chronic Pain
