Improving Your Posture

Is There A Link Between Chronic Pain And Depression?

Depression and chronic pain share a closer link than you might know. If left untreated, your depression could make the pain you are experiencing worse. Therefore, it is important that you understand the link between the two conditions and take action to overcome both. If you are suffering from both conditions, here is what you need to know.  

How Does Depression Impact Chronic Pain?

When you suffer from chronic pain, you can experience higher levels of stress than other people, fatigue, and anxiety. You can even start to feel more sensitive to pain, which can make suffering an injury almost unbearable. All of these symptoms can conspire together to rob you of sleep. Without sleep, your body's ability to heal is impacted.  

As a result of the various symptoms you experience related to the pain, you can develop depression. When you are struggling with depression, your chronic pain symptoms can be exacerbated. It is not uncommon to start to feel pain in areas in which you previously did not.  

Over time, you can began to feel like you have less control over your personal and professional life. Your ability to cope could be impacted, and you might make poor decisions that could be harmful to you in the long run.  

What Can You Do?

To treat the depression and chronic pain, you can choose to use traditional medicine, alternative therapies, or a combination of the two. For instance, chiropractic care can help you gain control over the chronic pain while also helping to release dopamine. Dopamine is a natural booster that can help you overcome depression and give you the peace needed to sleep at night.  

The use of chiropractic care has another benefit. Regular sessions can help reduce your dependency on any pain medications that you are taking. It can lead to an increase in your mobility and flexibility, which is important if you want to avoid surgical options.  

Another possible method of dealing with the chronic pain and depression is to undergo therapy with a professional therapist. The therapist can help you learn techniques to control the symptoms of depression, such as the stress. By getting control over those symptoms, you can help to alleviate the pain you are experiencing.  

Consult with a chiropractor at a clinic like Chiro-Med Health Center to learn further about how chiropractic care can help with reducing chronic pain and depression. He or she can develop a treatment plan that will get you back on the road to good health.  


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