By Dr. Ira Shapiro
Director of the Plaza Chiropractic Center
OLD BRIDGE — Pain serves an extremely important function. It sounds the alarm when an activity is causing injury and warns if an affected body part needs attention.
So, never accept the diagnosis that “it’s all in your head.” Pain is seldom imagined,
except in the most extreme cases of psychosis.
What is real are the devastating effects. People with chronic pain frequently report a
wide range of limitations that include everything from the inability to participate in
favorite activities to the downright fear of doing anything physical or even getting a good
night’s sleep.
According to The Institute of Medicine, approximately 100 million Americans suffer from
chronic pain, which can persist for weeks, months or even years. Depending on the
individual, the effects can be mild and infrequent to excruciating and continual. Some
people, often older adults, suffer from chronic pain without any definable past injury or
signs of body damage. For many others, the common causes are often associated with
migraines, achy joints, injury, accidents, tendonitis and neck, shoulder, back and leg
problems.
To make matters worse, chronic pain often creates emotional duress. For instance,
depression has been found to be three to four times more prevalent in people with
chronic pain than in the general population. This is often due to the dramatic changes in
the individual’s physical, mental and social well-being. In general, this can then lead to
a vicious cycle of pain leading to depression and depression intensifying the impact of
pain. Mood swings, behavioral issues and intense phases of irritability, isolation and
immobility are all normal symptoms of this downward spiral.
Unfortunately, until recently rest was the most recommended remedy. But in many
cases, this only deepened the problem by increasing the anxiety and sense of loss that
develops when active individuals can no longer participate in the activities they most
enjoy.
But despair doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition. There are answers. The first step
involves addressing pain with certifiable pain management therapies designed to
improve comfort and supply the confidence needed to become active once again. This
can include:
• Staying active with carefully devised exercise programs that increase flexibility,
improve strength and balance and reduce inflammation;
• Therapeutic procedures that reduce irritations to the spinal vertebrae and restore
normal nerve flow;
• Massage therapies that relieve muscle tension and pain, prevent future pain and
injuries and simply just help the patient relax.
Furthermore, there’s no need to “go it alone.” Chronic pain can take years to develop
and even longer to treat. In addition, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy. Everyone is
different. Age, gender, body type and physical condition can vary greatly even among
individuals in similar demographic groups. So it’s imperative to seek expert advice.
In the meantime, here are some very basic, but extremely effective activities that just
about anyone can do to improve both physical and mental health. The key is to start
slow with the goal of continually building on past successes.
Yoga. More than 20 million Americans do yoga, which offers a creative way to
enhance core strength and endurance, while improving range of motion. There are also
hundreds of stances from which to choose, making it ideal for arthritis sufferers looking
to increase flexibility and joint function.
Walking. You’ll be surprised by the uplifting, therapeutic value of a long walk
through the neighborhood, park or local mall. The good thing is you can walk at your
speed, stop when you want and pick up the pace whenever you feel comfortable. If it’s
been awhile, start at 10 minutes and build from there. It won’t take long to get to 30
minutes and then even an hour.
Relaxation. Don’t laugh. It’s not as easy as you think. Try sitting silently in a
comfy spot for five to 10 minutes a day, while taking long, deep breaths and
picturing only peaceful, calming scenes. It will take time to ignore life’s distractions and
learn to focus on the moment. But you’ll be surprised of the rewards to both mind and
body once this seemingly simple task is achieved.
For more information on creating better, fitter and healthier lives for the entire family
please contact the Plaza Chiropractic Center at 732-723-0023 or visit
plazachiro.com. Our trained staff will be happy to work with you, no matter your
age or condition, to develop a safe and effective wellness program that complements
your lifestyle and offers long-lasting fitness rewards.
Dr. Ira A. Shapiro is the director of the Plaza Chiropractic Center, which he founded in
Old Bridge in 1984. A two-time member of the U.S. Olympics medical staff, throughout the past three decades he has provided safe, gentle and effective
chiropractic care to tens of thousands of patients ranging from community members to
professional athletes competing at the highest international levels.