Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has a high rate of infection and increased access to health services, it might be time to revalue and examine the changes that can have a positive impact. The COVID-19 pandemic has now entered a new stage and pain management doctors have come up with some effective suggestions.
Let's start by looking at some of the ways your pain problem may have grown:
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Emotionally exhausted - Life was surely an intense source of stress during COVID-19. The pandemic has contributed to the increase in mental health problems, including fear and depression, regardless of whether or not you have had COVID-19. For some, it already intensified stressful homes, and for others it meant emotional distress apart from others. In many households, a decrease in revenue and children's virtual education in their homes have become common sources of stress. But it can affect how much we hurt and make it difficult to cope with our pain.
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Increase in weight - Studies show that the average individual gained approximately 2 pounds a month during the height of the pandemic, meaning that most of us have at least a few extra pounds. Although this additional gain in weight may impact underlying health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, pain may also rise. Even small bumps in overweight body can increase mechanical forces significantly in body parts such as our knees, hips and spines.
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Self-medicating - The reports of CDC in June 2020 say, 14% of Americans reported that the start or increase in the use of substances had been a means to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, and an overdose growth of 18% during the early outbreak period. The combination of all added stress and greater difficulty in accessing health care can have contributed to increased harmful activities such as misuse of prescription painkillers, increase alcohol consumption or the use of illicit substances to relieve them.
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No Activity - There was very limited access for several months to places such as swimming pools, gyms, health clubs, and indoor training courses. So you may have had to do without these types of places for exercise. Many of my patients preferred to keep their homes as far as possible from leaving their homes, which also reduces their activity level. However, many patients with pain problems such as back pain and arthritis rely on programs such as water and yoga classes or workouts in a fitness center. They do not have access to training centers where their pain was difficult to manage.
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Subsequently isolated - In most of my patients the social interactions have declined dramatically in the last year, leaving a certain lonely and isolated feeling. The risk of heart diseases, strokes of heartbeats, anxiety, depression, suicide, and premature death is now seen as a major health problem.
Now that in many of your communities access to resources has probably improved, here are some ideas to help you move forward:
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Go Easy - If you haven't been swimming or have worked in the local fitness center for a year, begin slowly as you have probably left your time away and atrophied with muscles. Start your workout program or your activity scheme to take time to strengthen your strength and endurance and minimize pain flare-ups that can slow you down. Now is a good time for your body to be patient.
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Request assistance - It can be hard to make changes, but people can help. Talk to yourpain management doctor for a recommendation or a reference to a physician if you would like some suggestions on how to recharge and become more actively active. Please ask for assistance if you have a problem with addiction or if you have recurred to an older one during the pandemic. And if you have become more discontinuous or impaired by the pandemic, find a counsellor to help you and your family get on with it again.
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Walk with Baby Steps - There can be plenty of concern about doing things again, such as going to the water aerobics class, leaving the house more, mingling with other people. That is something to be anticipated. Start small and gradually build your faith and don't forget to breathe!
Now is the perfect time to consider what can be added to your pain management plan or modified without any problems. It's always a good idea for you to talk with your doctor first before you start something new or restart something you may not have done in over a year. Contact Neuroscience Specialist in OKC to get connected with experienced doctors.
**Disclaimer- Information presented here is not intended to be qualified medical advice. Nothing expressed herein creates a doctor-patient relationship.