Coping With Chronic Pain Comprehensively Through Occupational Therapy

Thrive • Sep 13, 2022

By Thrive Wellness Reno Occupational Therapist Dr. Meadow Deason, OTD, OTR/L

Twenty percent of adults experience chronic pain, and many report that it limits their abilities to participate normally in daily activities. Chronic pain may be the result of various health conditions, while sometimes it also occurs for no known reason long after an injury has healed. Occupational therapy , a scope of practice that seeks to empower individuals to overcome obstacles to daily tasks, can be helpful in overcoming the mentally and physically debilitating nature of chronic pain.

WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN?

Chronic pain is any pain that:

Persists longer than the typical recovery time for a particular ailment
Is associated with a chronic illness

Common conditions that often contribute to chronic pain include:

Arthritis: A condition characterized by inflammation in the joints, causing joint pain and stiffness. Almost half of adults with arthritis experience persistent pain.
Cancer: Changes in the nerves often occur while battling cancer and can result in chronic pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common long-term side-effects of cancer treatment, and 34% of cancer survivors report having chronic pain.
Fibromyalgia: A condition that results in widespread pain throughout the body, fibromyalgia has no known causes.
Malformations: Abnormally formed parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, or veins can be extremely painful.
Migraines and headaches: Occurring when specific nerves send pain signals to the brain, migraines and headaches can be triggered by stress , dehydration, and lack of sleep , among other reasons.
Neuropathic pain: Caused by injury to certain nerves, neuropathic pain may result in shooting, stabbing or burning sensations.
Scarring: As a wound heals, nerve endings regenerate and the scar tissue may become painful.
Spinal pain: Possibly resulting from overuse, muscle atrophy, aging processes, and other causes, spinal pain may range from dull, constant aches to sudden, stabbing sensations.

As it persists, chronic pain may radiate physically, meaning that the pain spreads to different areas of the body. Coupled with lack of movement, chronic pain can increase discomfort throughout the muscles and joints and lead to muscle atrophy.

MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF CHRONIC PAIN

Common mental health struggles resulting from chronic pain include:

Anxiety and depression : Chronic pain can be depressing and anxiety-inducing. Researchers have also found that pain, anxiety, and depression may overlap biologically within the body.
Difficulty with daily activities: Showering, dressing, and household tasks can be more challenging when living with chronic pain.
Loss of roles: Some face limitations in fulfilling roles such as that of an active parent, engaged spouse, or productive employee after developing chronic pain
Sleep problems: Pain can often make it difficult to relax and sleep comfortably through the night.
Sense of disempowerment or loss of control: The inability to function normally can make some feel like they have lost some agency over their lives.
Social isolation: Low mood and diminished endurance for social activities can cause one to be more withdrawn.
Overall reduced quality of life: Chronic pain can impact just about every area of daily life.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

Occupational therapy approaches chronic pain with a biopsychosocial perspective by considering the biological, psychological, and social factors and their interplay. With such a broad treatment context, occupational therapists can help individuals:

Function at the highest possible level
Maintain or redevelop their independence
Participate in everyday activities
Achieve their goals

Concurrently, occupational therapy guides individuals in implementing evidence-based strategies for managing their chronic pain. These strategies are effective lifestyle changes that may include:

Communication skills training: Practicing honesty and directness about one’s chronic pain so that others are aware and respectful of one’s debilitating condition.
Ergonomics: Using modification and adaptations that enable a person to effectively and safely interact with their environment.
Muscle tension reduction training: Using calming techniques to relax muscles and settle one’s mind can help diminish the tension and distress associated with chronic pain.
Neuromuscular re-education: Retraining muscles that may have developed or adjusted abnormally due to the chronic pain and using the appropriate muscle groups to participate in daily activities.
Pacing activities: Taking time to rest, modifying tasks, or requesting support to help oneself avoid pain flare-ups when engaging in activities.
Proactive pain control: Independently engaging in pain control modalities, such as using ice to reduce inflammation.
Promotion of social engagement: Encouraging one to seek a sense of support and cultivate community.
Safe body mechanics: Practicing proper body movement and posture to prevent strain and promote physical capabilities.
Use of adaptive equipment: Can be leveraged to increase independence and decrease pain during daily activities.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT THRIVE WELLNESS

Providing synergistic health care that includes mental, emotional, and physical health, Thrive Wellness Reno offers occupational therapy in addition to our many other integrated wellness services. Our occupational therapy services guide clients in developing and maintaining autonomy despite any physically or mentally limiting conditions, including chronic pain. Collaborating with interdisciplinary clinicians, our occupational therapists wholly consider the mind-body interaction when integrating customized interventions for each client. Reach out to learn more.

While all Thrive Wellness locations offer interdisciplinary clinical teams who collaborate to treat eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and additional mental and behavioral health conditions, programs and services may vary by location.

About the Author

Thrive Wellness Reno Occupational Therapist Dr. Meadow Deason, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Meadow Deason earned her doctorate of occupational therapy at Huntington University and is a licensed doctor of occupational therapy (OTD). As an occupational therapist, she has extensive clinical experience in neurological and physical rehabilitation, fall prevention education, community-based services, home health, and mental health. Dr. Deason is also trained in oral motor function assessment, feeding therapy, therapeutic pain education, home modification, aging in place, brain injury rehabilitation, sensory integration, integration of primitive reflexes, neuromuscular rehabilitation, upper extremity rehabilitation, behavioral management, ergonomics, and mindfulness. She partners with individuals and their loved ones to overcome emotional, physical, and social barriers to holistic health through meaningful activities designed to develop, recover, modify, or maintain skills for thriving in everyday life.

Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Dr. Deason gained years of experience in early childhood intervention, social services, treatment, foster care, special education, and business.

When she is not helping her clients live their life to the fullest, she enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, and paddleboarding with her family.

The post Coping With Chronic Pain Comprehensively Through Occupational Therapy first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

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