At least 11 percent of the US population suffers from chronic pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. While a lower back problem is the most common cause of pain, arthritis, migraines, and cancer are common causes of chronic pain (and all can limit normal functioning). At Tulsa Pain Consultants, we include complementary medicine treatment approaches to manage chronic pain such as mindfulness techniques (e.g.,meditation). This is because thousands of studies conducted since the 1970s have demonstrated the benefits of meditation for chronic pain management.
The following describes some recent medical research findings demonstrating how mindfulness practices (such as meditation and yoga) have helped patients with chronic pain management.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Meditation and CBT for Back Pain
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA) in 2016 reported that a randomized trial in 342 adults with low back pain showed more improvement in the patients treated with a combination of mindfulness techniques and standard medical care than those who only received the standard medical care protocol.
Furthermore, meditation and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) were also compared to assess whether these were equally effective as complementary treatments. Meditation was found to be more effective than CBT in this study.
Stress-Reducing Mindfulness Techniques
Besides meditation, five other common mindfulness techniques that can relieve stress are:
- Hatha yoga;
- Kundalini yoga;
- Biofeedback;
- Tai chi;
- Qigong
Why Aging Can Increase Experience of Chronic Pain
Osteoarthritis (OA) afflicts many older adults, and one consequence is a higher likelihood of joint pain. In people aged 60 and older, OA-caused knee pain affects 10 percent of males in the US and 13 percent of females (per an article in Clinics in Geriatric Medicine). Meanwhile, women aged 50 and older are more likely to develop osteoporosis (involving bone density loss) due to hormonal changes.
Nearly 6 percentof men over age 50 also have osteoporosis. Consequently, a fall can result in a fractured bone more easily in seniors than in younger adults (and bone-healing is also generally slower in older-aged adults than young adults). In turn, a fracture subsequent to a fall can lead to suffering from chronic pain in older adults.
The physicians at Tulsa Pain Consultants are pain management specialists who understand that older adults require different preventive care to avoid chronic pain than younger people, and that aging bodies can require different treatment approaches.
Living with Cancer – A Pain Management Action Plan
The American Cancer Society website lists the following as two common causes of pain resulting from the pressure exerted by cancerous tumors:
- Spinal chord compression (medical treatment usually involves radiation therapy and steroid administration, as well as pain medication).
- Bone pain – pain that occurs due to carcinomas in bone (medical treatment usually is aimed at either controlling the cancer itself or protecting the affected bones, and often includes radiation and bisphosphonate administration).
If you are undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing pain, incorporating a meditation practice may aid in reducing your experience of pain. Pain-related neurotransmitters in the brain are activated by psychological stress, and anxiety is typically heightened in people following a cancer diagnosis.
How Clinical Depression Increases Pain Sensitivity
Along with antidepressant medication, practicing meditation (or some other mindfulness technique) may relieve depressed feelings. At least 57 percent of clinically-depressed adults reported feeling less depressed if practicing meditation or some other mindfulness technique (per an article in 2015 in Psychology Today). The vicious cycle for people living with depression is that it activates pain-signaling neurotransmitters, and this increases pain sensitivity.
Some chronic disorders (e.g.,Type 2 diabetes) linked to a higher risk for chronic pain are also linked to a higher risk of developing depression. Therefore, commencing a meditation practice as a preventive measureif you are diagnosed with a chronic health disorder may be a good idea.
Tulsa Pain is a pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 918-742-7030 or Request An Appointment to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
