Chronic pain: 5 misconceptions that complicate your treatment
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Time to read 2 min
In France, chronic pain now affects nearly 30% of adults . However, despite its frequency, it often remains misunderstood and surrounded by preconceived ideas. These false beliefs do not only minimize the suffering of those affected: they can also complicate their care , increase their isolation or even worsen their situation. This article aims to deconstruct five of the most common preconceived ideas about chronic pain and offer you concrete ways to regain control over your well-being.
Summary
Myth #1: "Chronic pain is all in your head" Myth #2: "There's nothing you can do, you have to live with it" Myth #3: "Medication is the only solution" Myth #4: "Exercising makes the pain worse" Myth #5: "Natural solutions don't work" Practical advice to overcome misconceptions about chronic pain Frequently Asked Questions
Key points to remember
- Chronic pain is real: it is not "in the head" and often results from physical or neurological conditions.
- Solutions exist: pain centers, rehabilitation and technologies such as TENS offer alternatives to drug treatments.
- Complementary therapies: yoga, acupuncture and massage can complement traditional care for overall relief.
- Physical exercise is beneficial: when adapted and supervised, it helps to strengthen muscle tone and release endorphins.
- Natural approaches work: heat, herbal medicine and essential oils can effectively reduce some pain.
Misconception #1: “Chronic pain is in the mind”
Chronic pain is not just a subjective sensation : it is a manifestation of a very real disorder.
It can result from various causes, including:
- A chronic illness (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, etc.).
- A wound that does not heal.
- A nerve injury.
This pain can also cause other symptoms such as sleep disturbances, weight loss or fatigue. Note that certain psychological sufferings such as anxiety or depression can impact the intensity of the pain. However, this is not the cause.
Misconception #2: “There’s nothing to do, you have to live with it”
Many people give up on trying to find a solution, believing that their pain is inevitable. However, chronic pain is not inevitable . Thanks to medical advances, multiple therapeutic approaches are now available. Enough to offer effective solutions, even in the most complex cases.
Infiltration is one such option. This procedure involves injecting a medication directly into the painful area to provide more effective relief. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is also an interesting approach. By generating a low-intensity current, this method can influence the pain transmission channels, thus providing relief.
In some cases, a rehabilitation program aimed at pain relief may also be recommended. Supervised by a multidisciplinary team, this therapy aims to improve the health and quality of life of people suffering from chronic pain. The program includes: cognitive behavioral therapy , physiotherapy, training and simplification of the treatment protocol. When conventional methods are no longer sufficient to control the pain, doctors can also refer to a pain center . These structures offer a personalized approach based on complementary and innovative therapies.
Misconception #3: “Medications are the only solution”
Although drug treatments can generally help relieve pain , they are not the only effective approach. In fact, it is now recommended to use complementary techniques. This has several objectives: reduce the consumption of medication (and thus the side effects that result from it), provide better relief and make daily life easier.
Complementary therapies that have proven their effectiveness are:
Acupuncture.
Relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi or meditation.
Massages , which, in addition to their relaxing benefits, help to relieve the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
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Some behavioral therapies such as biofeedback or hypnosis.
Physical methods such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy contribute to improving the quality of life of people suffering from chronic pain by allowing them to perform daily activities in a less painful way. They can act directly on the trigger point of the pain , offer adapted devices such as orthoses... Chiropractic, another body manipulation practice, has also demonstrated its effectiveness in treating lower back pain.
