Researchers from John Hopkins hospital have reported that 40-80% of chronic pain patients are misdiagnosed. All-too-often, the cause of pain is misdiagnosed as a structural tissue issue.
Again, by focussing on a physical cause of pain and dysfunction, we’re being told there is something wrong with our bodies, which signals the brain that there is something wrong and activates the danger-alarm system, causing even more pain and dysfunction.
You are not broken – instead, you may be trapped in a neural circuit that perpetuates your experience.
Osteopathy can help.
Qualified osteopaths are trained to identify if your pain is connected to a structural cause such as a fracture or ligament tear, or if you’re suffering from a pain condition. They’re trained in pain science and have the tools to help you truly understand your pain and the triggers.
Having the knowledge and reassurance that your pain is real but not a structural problem can be healing. Understanding your pain can reduce your pain intensity.
This theory is validated by science. Dr. Howard Schubiner heads a mind-body medicine program at Providence Hospital in Michigan. In a study of 45 women, he found that those who learned a technique called “affective self-awareness” were more likely to show a significant reduction in their pain over a six-month period. 46 percent of the women had a 30-percent or greater reduction in their pain severity. In comparison, those who were assigned to a wait-list for therapy did not show a decline in pain severity.
Your osteopath can use manual therapy techniques to relax your nervous system and dampen the danger-alarm response. Having some pain and fatigue relief for a few hours can open a window of opportunity to start to rewire your brain, and get you started on the road to recovery.
But, if you’re struggling with chronic recurrent symptoms, a skilled osteopath will not solely rely on manual interventions. As pain conditions are associated with anatomical changes in the brain, retraining your brain is key. This requires an active, participatory approach on your side that cannot be achieved through passive interventions.
You don’t need to do this on your own. Your osteopath can coach you through pain reprocessing techniques and teach you effective stress management strategies including meditation and other mindfulness exercises. And they will help you return to movement and exercise in a paced manner to avoid symptom flare-ups.
Taking an integrated approach to your healing, your osteopath might – with your agreement – refer you to a mental health therapist skilled in supporting clients with a history of trauma. Trauma often occurs in unhealthy relationships; healing occurs in safe relationships.
Are you stressed?
You may think this all sounds interesting, but it doesn’t refer to you as you don’t feel stressed. The reality is our bodies and brains are not designed for modern 21st century living. Rushing to work, constant notifications and emails, lack of sleep and exercise as well as the constant uncertainties that the pandemic has brought to our lives can all be perceived by the brain as stressors and threats. Also certain personality types like high achievers, people pleasers, and worriers are more likely to develop chronic pain and fatigue. So our brain can be stressed without us consciously experiencing stress.
Fortunately your brain, and its neuronal networks, are very much flexible. This is called neuroplasticity. Working together with an Osteopath who specialises in this area of work will help you understand your pain and teach you lifelong skills to move your nervous system from a state of danger-alarm to relaxation and ease to enable you to live pain-free and energised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic pain, fatigue, or discomfort, please know support is available. At IMI, we take an integrated approach to healing to identify the underlying cause of chronic conditions and create personalised, sustainable treatment plans that address all facets of your wellbeing for optimal healing.
To schedule a consultation with one of our Osteopaths, please call +852 2523 7121 or connect here.
