Please answer the following question and respond to the 3 peers separately in 4
Please answer the following question and respond to the 3 peers separately in 4 sentences.
Dissccusion question: Pain is an unavoidable but necessary function that we all have to deal with at some points in our lives. For many people, pain is just a transitory state, our bodies way of telling us (or reminding us) that something isn’t right. For other people–myself included–pain is a chronic state. Do you or someone you know have to deal with chronic pain? If so, and if you feel comfortable sharing, what strategies does she/he utilize to deal with it? Can you identify biological, psychological and socio-cultural influences on your/their pain? The biological aspect is pretty easy to identify but the other two may require some thought. What strategies do you use to deal with your pain? Do they work?
Peer 1: I haven’t dealt with chronic pain myself, but I did have a family member who dealt with it. Seeing them in so much pain everyday was draining and very sad. It can make the other people around them feel hopeless because there’s nothing really that we can do for them to alleviate it, when we wish that we could. Some strategies that my family member would use to deal with the pain, is taking herbal supplements and remedies, taking the medication that was prescribed to them on time, and trying to stay relaxed and stress free, these strategies seemed to work for them.
A biological influence on their pain was possible damage to their bones, this pain and the condition they were in, could have caused.
A psychological influence on their pain was they seemed to be “out of it” most days and they had a hard time being able to concentrate. It affected them emotionally, even though they tried to be in good spirits, they were down some days as well.
Peer 2: While I personally haven’t experienced chronic pain, my mother suffers from arthritis, which causes her to endure ongoing pain. It’s difficult for me to hear her express her feelings about the pain she goes through, and it’s even harder knowing that there’s not much I can do to alleviate it. The most I can offer is giving her massages using pain-relieving essential oils, even though I’m aware that it may not provide significant relief. Other times she relies on over-the-counter pain medication depending on how intense the pain is.
Biological influences play a significant role in arthritis pain, mainly stemming from joint inflammation and damage. Factors such as genetics, age, gender, and underlying medical conditions contribute to the severity and progression of arthritis pain. Psychological factors, such as stress, can sometimes exacerbate pain sensations and make managing arthritis pain more challenging. On the socio-cultural front, my family has been supportive, and my mother has been open to seeking help from healthcare professionals to effectively manage her arthritis pain.
They were affected by any socio-cultural influences luckily, but it knows that some people may be affected by not being able to find resources to deal with their pain or having limited access to healthcare.
Peer 3: My father has to deal with chronic pain in his right shoulder due to overuse and past injuries. From my observation, this involves a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors.
Biological Influences. I don’t think he is very sensitive to pains, and he looks to me as a tough man. But he has to take pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., Advil, Tylenol) frequently that are suggested by healthcare professionals to help address the biological aspects of pain. He also engages in exercises and physical therapy to help improve the strength and flexibility of the shoulder, coping with underlying biomechanical issues. But allowing his shoulder to rest is crucial for biological healing. When he feels worse, he would sleep and rest. This can positively influence his body’s ability to recover. Psychological Influences. I know that he once participated in a group that promotes mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises, helping people manage stress and contribute to his pain relief by promoting relaxation. But he didn’t find it with immediate result and later became inactive. Socio-Cultural Influences. Having a strong social network can provide emotional support and assistance with daily activities, which can positively impact the psychological experience of pain. Family support does help him to relieve, and we always remind him to take time off for rest and recovery.
Besides prescribed medications for pain relief and inflammation, he has employed a variety of strategies to manage and cope with his discomfort. Self-care. He used to apply ice or heat packs to the affected area to reduce inflammation and soothe the pain. But he must ensure proper posture to prevent additional strain on the shoulder. He also bought some joints relieve supplements like Move Free but with little effects. Lifestyle and Behavioral Adjustments. He has been working on maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate sleep to support overall well-being. He takes care of his weight management successfully and I think that helps reduce stress on the shoulder joints. Seeking Social and Family Support. He receives emotional support from our family members, which is helpful but does not heal. Physical Measures. He has taken some other approaches, e.g., acupuncture, cupping, massage, or chiropractic. These measures seem to be helpful, but some have immediate effects (e.g. cupping, massage) and others (e.g. acupuncture) may need to wait for long-term healing results.
Dealing with chronic pain is challenging. Each person will need personalized strategies and comprehensive plans that can address the specific causes and manifestations of their pains.