Chronic Pain
Holistic Approach to Chronic Pain
Spiritual Self-Care
Prayer, scripture, praise music, and reading God's Word can help you develop a different perspective on suffering, giving you purpose for your pain.
Psychological Self-Care
Counseling can help you process the complexities of chronic pain and provide additional coping skills.
Social Self-Care
Support groups or group therapy can connect you with others experiencing similar struggles and can be a source of comfort, a sense of belonging, and feeling understood.
Physical Self-Care
- An anti-inflammatory diet, proper hydration, and low-impact exercise can reduce inflammation, decrease joint pain, and increase endorphins.
- The use of ice can help reduce pain and inflammation, while heat can treat ongoing aches and pains.
- Listen to your body; you know it best. Modify when needed.
- Consult your medical professional before implementing changes to your daily routine.
Chronic pain lasts 12 weeks or more and distinguishes itself by its frequency, intensity, and length of time. Can result from injury, ongoing illness, and medical conditions sometimes have no well-defined cause.
Potential Effects on Mental Health
Chronic pain can cause disruptive sleep cycles and irritable moods, leading to depression and anxiety. This, along with ineffective treatment, can cause feelings of hopelessness.
If chronic pain affects your life and you want to talk to someone, contact the CBU Counseling Center. We are honored to come alongside you and help you process your struggles with a Christ-centered therapy approach.