Facing the Fear of Pain
"I can't do that walk at the weekend, my back won't allow it..." This, and remarks like this, are often heard in the clinic.
None of us like pain, and the fear of that pain can very often lead to avoiding activities. That avoidance can not only impair your recovery but also affect your quality of life.
We recommend Graded Exposure. Graded exposure is intervention to help you gradually face your fear. It usually takes the shape of exercises or activities that increase over time building your confidence and tolerance.
Our aim is to get you to recognise that pain does not always equal damage.
When somebody lives with chronic pain it can lead to a downward spiral leaving you to fear the worst: "This pain will never go away." That belief can send the nervous system into overdrive, leading us to believe any movement is painful and harmful. And, of course, that belief has a direct impact on recovery.
Graded exposure is designed to conquer the pain/stress cycle - retraining the brain with simple and gentle movements. This gradual approach demonstrates to the brain that movements can be tolerated, and completed, pain free. That positive feedback retrains the brain so the fear of pain is reduced or eliminated.
As your chiropractor, we will work with you to support how graded exposure might provide the best benefit for you. For example, if bending forwards is causing pain right now, we may suggest trying this from a seated position. You will work your way up gradually to the movements you want to achieve.
It is important that you understand your injury/pain and that includes recovery and expectations. If you avoid activities you are likely to move less, and your sensitivity will increase. This will lead to limiting your enjoyment of life. We want to help you avoid that, and aid your recovery as soon as possible.