My Journey with Chronic Pain

​ The appointments, the images that show nothing out of ordinary, THE PAIN!
Chronic pain is not for the faint-hearted and requires a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach for patient comfort and rehabilitation.

The Australian Institue of Health and Welfare (2020) classifies chronic pain as "pain that lasts beyond normal healing time after injury or illness - generally 3 to 6 months." The same source of information states that in 2016 1 in 5 people aged 45 and over experienced chronic pain. Females are more likely to experience chronic pain and people over the age of 45 with chronic pain are 5 times more likely to be 'limited a lot' in daily activities compared to those that do not have chronic pain. From a clinical perspective this study could be improved by including younger age groups. From a practitioner perspective this number could be up to 1 in 10 people aged between 20 and 45 that suffer from chronic pain.

Sometimes the source of pain can be linked to a particular activity, incident or inury. At other times the pain has a chronicity that extends well beyond the original injury it's hard to tell if it has been sparked by one incident or is the accumulation of many things. For example, I am aware of when my pain started and what makes pain worse, I couldn't tell you if I have particiapted in an activity that has increased the original pain or how the pain has progressed since its onset. I'm unable to avoid aggravating activites and the pain can vary from each day, but it is rare for it to disappear completely. The confusion that comes from this and the timeline of pain becomes a muddy picture in my mind.

After an extensive (over 2 year) period of chronic pain I have become very adept at 'hiding' my pain from others. This means that at times I have avoided and declined numerous invitations for sporting and social activities. High periods of pain can cause mood swings ranging from anger to upset - let's face it I am reaching an age where peri-menopause could be blamed for these as well!

Studies show that 40% of adults with chronic pain expereince "clinically significant depression and anxiety" for this reason chronic pain patients need to be approached from a holistic perspective including assessment of physical and psychological symptoms. Osteopathy is unique in it's approach to healthcare as it addresses the treatment of physical symptoms and regulation of the nervous systems through varied techniques in a safe and gentle manner.

Whilst I have no single solution and have seen many health professional for my own pain I am highly aware that the language surrounding chronic pain is important, along with having a team of practitioners in your corner that have genuine concern for your health. This includes an awareness and understanding of physical pain along with the mental, emotional and often financial aspects associated with it.

If you are looking for a health practitioner that understands chronic pain from a personal perspective then I would love to connect with you. If I don't understand your condition I will do my best to research and find the right team of professionals for you. We are incredibly lucky to have amazing health practitioners within the Northern Rivers and the addition of a designated NSW Health Pain Clinic, specialising in holistic chronic pain care.

For me the journey through navigating and repairing my physical and mental health through chronic pain will continue, in the hope that I can reach my upcoming 40's pain free and returning to the activities that I previously enjoyed.

Written by Angela Slattery - Osteopath