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How Living With Chronic Pain Can Impact Your Mental Health

Living with chronic pain often feels like carrying an invisible burden that weighs on the body, mind, and soul. It’s a constant reminder of the limitations and struggles that can affect every part of daily life. The worst part is that beyond the physical symptoms, chronic pain can even impact someone’s self-worth, effectively eroding their hope with each passing day.

Here, our pain management specialists at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel explain the relationship between chronic pain and mental health and things that can help alleviate feelings of hopelessness.

The Correlation Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that patients seek medical care with our pain management doctors. Overall, chronic pain can exacerbate dependence on opioids, anxiety, and depression.

It has been found that the more severe the chronic pain is, the more prevalent mental health problems are.

Common Chronic Pain Conditions

There are many kinds of chronic pain, and today we will highlight a few of the most common.

Neck & Back Pain

While the mild ache that most people feel as back pain can be attributed to sleeping in a strange position, from a muscle strain at the gym, or dealing with stress, other kinds of back pain are long-lasting and can be caused by injuries like those sustained in car accidents.

When back or neck pain becomes debilitating and affects daily life it has been found to cause major depressive symptoms that last longer than those who are not experiencing chronic pain.

Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraines are those that are defined as lasting for 15 or more days a month for three months or more. These migraines often coincide with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as chronic migraines can cause restriction from favorite activities and isolation.

Arthritis

Pain is caused by inflammation in one or more of the body’s joints There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis including:

Osteoarthritis: In this type, the protective cartilage inside of the joints breaks down, making movements painful. Over time bones and joints in the body may rub together causing excruciating pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The immune system attacks the body’s joints and organs, causing ongoing inflammation that causes permanent damage.
Psoriatic Arthritis: The joints, connective tissues, and skin are all affected as the immune system attacks the body causing inflammation.

Research has found that mood and anxiety disorders are common among those with arthritis as compared to people who do not have it due to the pain and limitation of movement that arthritis causes.

Fibromyalgia

This is a chronic disease that causes several different symptoms and is characterized by a disconnect in the way that the brain and spinal cord process pain signals.

Even the slightest touch could cause pain for a person suffering from fibromyalgia and it is most often associated with widespread pain in the muscles and bones, tender areas throughout the body, and fatigue.

Fibromyalgia has been found to cause anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS is characterized by nerve damage that disrupts proper communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Depression, anxiety, and what’s known as the “pseudobulbar affect,” are common health problems for those with MS. The pseudobulbar affect causes uncontrollable laughter or crying that can be quite debilitating.

It has been found that people with MS are more than two times more likely to experience Major Depressive Disorder than those who don’t suffer from it.

Treatment for Chronic Pain & Mental Health

Unfortunately, chronic pain can be tricky to treat, but there are ways that our team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel can help alleviate some of the discomfort.

We offer minimally invasive pain management procedures such as:

Discography
Epidural steroid injections
Facet joint injections
Radio-frequency ablation
Percutaneous discography
Selective nerve root blocks

We also recommend using these procedures in conjunction with our other modalities such as:

Physical therapy
Chiropractic care
Manual therapy
Mental health counseling

Eating a healthy diet and getting restful sleep are important to treating chronic pain.

Stress-reduction techniques such as exercise, meditation, journaling, and learning coping skills can be quite helpful. These can greatly enhance your quality of life.

Remember, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Talk to your family and friends and let them know what you are going through. Lean on them when you need to.

What Aftercare Is Needed After Facet Joint Injections? What To Do & What To Expect

Once you have gotten a facet joint injection, you’ll likely feel almost immediate relief from the pain that you were experiencing. But what happens next? The journey to lasting pain relief doesn’t end when you leave the doctor’s office, rather, proper aftercare is crucial to ensuring that the benefits are maximized.

Our pain management team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills explains what aftercare is needed, what to do when you arrive home after the procedure, and how to boost your recovery.

What Are Facet Injections?

Facet joint injections are a common procedure that is used to alleviate back or neck pain caused by inflamed facet joints in the spine. These joints can be painful due to injury, arthritis, or stress.

The procedure is quite simple and involves the injection of a local anesthetic or steroid medication directly into the affected facet joint. By numbing the joint and using steroids to reduce inflammation, these injections provide temporary relief for those who are suffering from chronic neck and back pain.

It’s important to note that while these injections can be effective in managing symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause of the pain, so we like to recommend them as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that treats the cause as well.

Are Facet Joint Injections Painful?

Generally, no. You will likely feel pain relief right away, but the pain may return once the numbing medicine wears off. If your injection included a steroid, take note that it can take a few days to work.

Facet Joint Injection Aftercare

After receiving a facet joint injection, post-treatment care is quite important. It’s common to experience slight soreness at the injection site for a few days after the procedure.

We recommend applying ice packs to the injection site to help alleviate any discomfort and to help reduce inflammation.

Strenuous activity and exercises that might strain the injection site should be avoided in the days following the injection when you are recovering.

We also suggest that patients monitor their pain levels and look out for any changes in symptoms. If you experience any persistent pain or reactions due to the procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills.

Last, be sure to maintain proper posture and incorporate gentle stretching and exercises to promote long-term recovery and effectiveness of the injection.

How Often Should Facet Joint Injections Be Done?

Remember, facet joint injections do not offer permanent pain relief. This means that you may have to have one or two injections over a six-month timeframe. We don’t recommend that patients receive more than three injections during this time.

Visit Impact Medical Zephyrhills Today

If you are tired of living with chronic neck or back pain, a facet joint injection might be just what you need. Our experienced pain management team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills offers personalized care that will help you find the relief you deserve.

Don’t let discomfort hold you back, schedule an appointment with our pain management specialist by calling (813) 706-5156 today.

Concussion Vs. TBI Treatment – Compared

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (also called TBIs) are common head injuries that people suffer from after a car accident. Although they sound different, a concussion is a TBI.

Confused? Don’t be! Our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center discusses concussions and TBIs, and how we treat these conditions.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when something pierces the skull and damages brain tissue, or when the head hits something very hard. Ultimately, a TBI is characterized by any injury that causes damage to the brain.

Symptoms of mild traumatic brain injuries include:

Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Speech problems
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Ringing in ears
Sensitivity to light or sound
Memory or concentration issues
Mood changes
Depression or anxiousness
Sleep problems

Symptoms of moderate or severe TBIs include:

Loss of consciousness
Persistent headache
Excessive vomiting or nausea
Seizures
Pupil dilation
Weakness or numbness in extremities
Loss of coordination
Slurred speech
Coma

Treatment for TBIs

The modalities that are used in treating a TBI depend on the severity of the injury, but it’s important to note that a traumatic brain injury of any kind is an emergency.

Generally, if you have a mild TBI, treatment consists mainly of rest, which will allow the brain to heal.

If you have a moderate or severe injury, the first step is to stabilize the injury this can involve:

Getting more oxygen to your brain
Maintain proper blood flow
Managing blood pressure

These will help prevent further brain damage. You may need surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Many people who have suffered a moderate or severe TBI will need rehabilitation and physical therapy. The type of rehab needed depends on several factors such as the severity of the injury, and the part of the brain that was injured.

You may need speech therapy if the injury damages the part of the brain that controls speech. Or you may need physical therapy if you are having trouble walking or using your arms due to damage to the area of the brain that controls movement.

Ultimately, the treatment that is needed for a more severe TBI will be undertaken by many medical professionals, all working together to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion, as stated above, is a type of TBI and is common in accidents and contact sports. It often occurs due to a rapid back-and-forth movement that stretches or damages brain tissue. Although they are usually not life-threatening, they can interfere with normal brain function.

Symptoms of a concussion include:

Headache
Neck pain
Nausea
Ringing in the ears
Dizziness
Fatigue

Treatment for Concussions

Our physical therapists at Impact Medical Sun City Center can treat many of the symptoms that are related to concussions. First, our team will examine your neurological system to ascertain what treatment would work best for you.

Treatment may include:

#1. Rest

You will need to limit any kind of activity including work, exercise, recreation, etc. when you are recovering from a concussion. This rest will boost your body’s healing mechanisms and help clear up concussion symptoms as quickly as possible.

#2. Therapeutic Exercise

While rest is crucial for recovering from a concussion, this can also result in muscle weakness and decreased endurance. We will work with you to design a therapeutic exercise program that will help strengthen your muscles and improve balance.

#3. Headache Reduction

Treatment for headaches due to concussions may include stretching, eye exercises, hands-on manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and chiropractic care.

We often like to recommend chiropractic care because when the spine is out of alignment, it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves and cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. The same kind of symptoms that are caused by concussion.

Manipulating the spine back into alignment can help relieve the symptoms of concussion.

Visit Impact Medical Sun City Center

If you are a loved one who has a concussion or TBI following an accident, don’t hesitate to contact our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center.

With a state-of-the-art facility, we are equipped to treat accident injuries and help those with brain injuries or concussions move forward after an accident with compassionate physical therapy, pain management, and chiropractic care.

Schedule an appointment at (813) 938-5195 today.

How Common Are Boating Accidents?

When we think of boating, imagery of serene waterways under the warm sun may come to mind—a picture of quiet relaxation or exhilarating adventure. Yet, the excitement of these moments is unfortunately not without risk. Boating accidents are an underrepresented but nonetheless significant source of injury and trauma. But just how common are boating accidents and what types of injuries are typically involved?

According to recent data from the U.S. Coast Guard, there were more than 4,000 boating accidents in 2022 alone. While this represents a slight drop from 2021 figures, it underscores an important truth: boating can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to know:

Common Boating Injuries

An unexpected collision on the water, velocity against the body, an abrupt impact with the element once so inviting – it’s moments like these that reveal the inherent danger in such accidents. At top speed, the edge of a boat might as well be bedrock, and the waters that once seemed an innocuous, cushioning surface, seem like concrete. These incidents can result in a wide range of injuries, each requiring specialized care tailored to the patient’s unique circumstances:

Whiplash: We often think of whiplash in car accidents, but that same jarring motion on the water can be just as bad for your neck, head, and spine. At Impact Medical, we get how serious this injury can be, and how it can lead to chronic pain if you don’t get the right treatment.
Pinched Nerves: When boats collide, the force can put a lot of pressure on your nerves, causing pain, numbness, and tingling that can make it hard to function. We use a combination of spinal adjustments and physical therapy to gently ease those nerves back into place and get you feeling like yourself again.
Herniated Discs: This is a more serious injury, and sometimes surgery might be the best option. However, we always try less invasive treatments first. Our team brings together medical expertise and the latest physical therapy techniques to help relieve your pain and get you moving comfortably again—hopefully without needing surgery.
Back and Neck Injuries: Any misalignment or fracture in your spine from a boating accident needs treatment right away. Not only to fix the immediate problem, but to prevent things from getting worse. The longer you wait, the harder it is to heal and the more likely you are to have lasting damage. That’s why it’s so important to come to Impact Medical right away if you’ve had this type of injury.

Personalization Is Key for Your Recovery Journey

The aftermath of a boating accident can be disorienting and disheartening. Impact Medical understands the multifaceted challenges you may be facing, from dealing with the accident’s legal complexities or streamlining a comprehensive recovery plan. Here, personalized care becomes our overarching goal:

Specialized Services: Impact Medical is more than a medical facility is your partner in recovery. Our team’s devotion to the latest treatment options guarantees an aligned plan of action that resonates with your body’s natural healing process.
Comprehensive Treatment: From the onset of diagnosis, our multi-disciplinary approach brings chiropractors, physical therapists, and medical practitioners under one roof to focus on your integrated care. By treating the human, not just the injury, our non-invasive strategies aim for restoration without the crutch of medication or surgeries.
Unwavering Experience: Over 25 years of boating injury expertise has given our team unmatched experience. Trust in our seasoned staff to address not just the physical wounds but also the psychological toll that such encounters leave in their wake.

Don’t Let a Boating Accident Sink Your Spirits

Boating accidents happen, and the injuries can be serious. If you’ve been hurt on the water, don’t try to tough it out. The team at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg has the experience and specialized knowledge to help you recover as quickly and fully as possible. We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and gets you back to enjoying the activities you love. Schedule your free consultation today—call us at (727) 722-8103.