By Emily Tran
In the realm of chronic pain management, the intricate link between physical suffering and mental well-being cannot be overstated. Mental health counselors specializing in chronic pain populations often emphasize that chronic pain is more than a physical condition; it deeply impacts one’s mental health, potentially leading to or worsening conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Despite this connection, mental health care often remains sidelined, considered a secondary concern rather than an integral part of comprehensive health care. It’s crucial to shift this perspective, recognizing mental health care as essential, not optional.
Understanding the Connection Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health
Chronic pain acts as a pervasive force, diminishing individuals’ quality of life, self-identity, and emotional resilience. The relentless nature of pain can foster feelings of isolation, as sufferers may feel misunderstood by peers and healthcare providers alike, who might focus predominantly on physical symptoms. This sense of isolation can spiral into depression, while the unpredictability of pain exacerbates anxiety and stress, creating a debilitating cycle.
Dismantling Mental Health Stigma
One significant barrier to prioritizing mental health is the stigma attached to seeking help. Many individuals fear judgment or misunderstanding due to societal perceptions that view mental health issues as personal failings rather than legitimate health concerns. Advocates and counselors often encourage open dialogues about mental health, underscoring that seeking support reflects strength and self-awareness.
Integrating Mental Health Care with Chronic Pain Management
For effective chronic pain management, a holistic approach that encompasses both physical and mental health is vital. This includes combining traditional pain relief methods with mental health interventions. Therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have proven effective in addressing the psychological challenges of living with chronic pain.
How to Foster Positive Mental Health
Fostering positive mental health involves several key strategies:
- Encourage Self-Care: Emphasize the importance of self-care practices, including setting boundaries, engaging in enjoyable activities, practicing relaxation techniques, and ensuring sufficient rest. It’s vital for patients to recognize that self-care is a critical component of managing both their physical and mental health.
- Promote Community Support: Building a support network through groups — whether online or in person — offers a space for sharing experiences and feeling understood. These communities can serve as essential support systems.
- Educate on Mental Health Resources: Providing information about mental health resources and making them accessible is crucial. This includes therapy options, support groups, and educational materials that can empower individuals to take proactive steps toward mental wellness.
- Advocate for Comprehensive Care: Encourage a treatment approach that views mental health as equally important as physical health. This might involve working closely with healthcare providers to ensure that mental health considerations are integrated into the care plan.
Viewing mental health care as a foundational element rather than an adjunct to physical health care is critical for those living with chronic pain. By incorporating mental health into the overall treatment plan, breaking down stigma, promoting self-care, and fostering community support, individuals can navigate the challenges of chronic pain with greater resilience.
Prioritizing mental health is not just beneficial; it’s essential for a holistic and fulfilling approach to managing chronic pain.
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FAQ
What are pelvic floor muscles?
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that run from the coccyx to the pubic bone. They are part of the core, helping to support our entire body as well as providing support for the bowel, bladder and uterus. These muscles help us maintain bowel and bladder control and are involved in sexual pleasure and orgasm. The technical name of the pelvic floor muscles is the Levator Ani muscle group. The pudendal nerve, the levator ani nerve, and branches from the S2 – S4 nerve roots innervate the pelvic floor muscles. They are under voluntary and autonomic control, which is a unique feature only they possess compared to other muscle groups.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy. Currently, physical therapists need advanced post-graduate education to be able to help people with pelvic floor dysfunction because pelvic floor disorders are not yet being taught in standard physical therapy curricula. The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center provides extensive training for our staff because we recognize the limitations of physical therapy education in this unique area.
What happens at pelvic floor therapy?
During an evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction the physical therapist will take a detailed history. Following the history the physical therapist will leave the room to allow the patient to change and drape themselves. The physical therapist will return to the room and using gloved hands will perform an external and internal manual assessment of the pelvic floor and girdle muscles. The physical therapist will once again leave the room and allow the patient to dress. Following the manual examination there may also be an examination of strength, motor control, and overall biomechanics and neuromuscular control. The physical therapist will then communicate the findings to the patient and together with their patient they establish an assessment, short term and long term goals and a treatment plan. Typically people with pelvic floor dysfunction are seen one time per week for one hour for varying amounts of time based on the severity and chronicity of the disease. A home exercise program will be established and the physical therapist will help coordinate other providers on the treatment team. Typically patients are seen for 3 months to a year.
What is pudendal neuralgia and how is it treated?
Pudendal Neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis that means pain in the sensory distribution of the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve is a mixed nerve that exits the S2 – S4 sacral nerve roots, we have a right and left pudendal nerve and each side has three main trunks: the dorsal branch, the perineal branch, and the inferior rectal branch. The branches supply sensation to the clitoris/penis, labia/scrotum, perineum, anus, the distal ⅓ of the urethra and rectum, and the vulva and vestibule. The nerve branches also control the pelvic floor muscles. The pudendal nerve follows a tortuous path through the pelvic floor and girdle, leaving it vulnerable to compression and tension injuries at various points along its path.
Pudendal Neuralgia occurs when the nerve is unable to slide, glide and move normally and as a result, people experience pain in some or all of the above-mentioned areas. Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in identifying the mechanical impairments that are affecting the nerve. The physical therapy treatment plan is designed to restore normal neural function. Patients with pudendal neuralgia require pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from medical management that includes pharmaceuticals and procedures such as pudendal nerve blocks or botox injections.
What is interstitial cystitis and how is it treated?
Interstitial Cystitis is a clinical diagnosis characterized by irritative bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and hesitancy in the absence of infection. Research has shown the majority of patients who meet the clinical definition have pelvic floor dysfunction and myalgia. Therefore, the American Urologic Association recommends pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line treatment for Interstitial Cystitis. Patients will benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from pharmacologic management or medical procedures such as bladder instillations.
Who is the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Team?
The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center was founded by Elizabeth Akincilar and Stephanie Prendergast in 2006, they have been treating people with pelvic floor disorders since 2001. They were trained and mentored by a medical doctor and quickly became experts in treating pelvic floor disorders. They began creating courses and sharing their knowledge around the world. They expanded to 11 locations in the United States and developed a residency style training program for their employees with ongoing weekly mentoring. The physical therapists who work at PHRC have undergone more training than the majority of pelvic floor physical therapists and as a result offer efficient and high quality care.
How many years of experience do we have?
Stephanie and Liz have 24 years of experience and help each and every team member become an expert in the field through their training and mentoring program.
Why PHRC versus anyone else?
PHRC is unique because of the specific focus on pelvic floor disorders and the leadership at our company. We are constantly lecturing, teaching, and staying ahead of the curve with our connections to medical experts and emerging experts. As a result, we are able to efficiently and effectively help our patients restore their pelvic health.
Do we treat men for pelvic floor therapy?
The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is unique in that the Cofounders have always treated people of all genders and therefore have trained the team members and staff the same way. Many pelvic floor physical therapists focus solely on people with vulvas, this is not the case here.
Do I need pelvic floor therapy forever?
The majority of people with pelvic floor dysfunction will undergo pelvic floor physical therapy for a set amount of time based on their goals. Every 6 -8 weeks goals will be re-established based on the physical improvements and remaining physical impairments. Most patients will achieve their goals in 3 – 6 months. If there are complicating medical or untreated comorbidities some patients will be in therapy longer.