Question: I HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR PAST 60 YEARS, I’M 75 NOW. MOSTLY LONG DISTANCE HAVE COMPLETED 56 MARATHONS, MANY HALF AND 5K RUNS. LATELY, AFTER RUNNING THREE MILES HAVE LOWER SPINAL PAIN, BODY WANTS TO KEEP MOVING TO THE RIGHT, UNABLE TO CONTROL BALANCE. HAVE TO HOLD ONTO OBJECTS AFRAID OF FALLING OVER. I TEND TO GO OFF TO THE RIGHT?
THANK YOU
Answer: Hi. I have received and read your question. In my opinion, your history of marathon running and heavy use has led to a condition of excess Foot Supination/Pronation – an imbalance of the foot. This can be treated by consulting a specialist (sports physical therapist) who will recommend specific exercises. Also you should reevaluate your foot wear with a orthopedic shoe specialist and find a shoe that can correct the problem.
Regards,
Dr. John Claude
Excessive supination (underpronation) and excessive pronation (overpronation) can cause problems with the body’s alignment and lead to pain in the feet, knees, hips, and back.
Too much supination can cause problems, such as pain and soreness.
Most people with excessive supination have structural issues in their feet.
Ways to treat or prevent excessive supination include wearing proper shoes.
People who pronate excessively roll their foot inward, causing the outer part of the heel to make contact with the ground and the feet to flatten too much.
Those who supinate do not roll their foot inward enough. This puts a strain on the ankle and can cause the ankle to roll outward, which leads to injury.
Excessive supination is less common than excessive pronation.
Causes of supination : The structural problems of the feet causing supination are usually inherited. However, external factors can also play a role in the condition.
Common causes of excessive supination include:Traits that affect the mechanics of the feet and legs are often inherited, such as:
leg length (including differences between the length of the legs)
width of the foot
ankle stability
The shape of the foot’s arch may also increase the risk of supination, with runners with high arches being more prone to supination than other people.Good shoes support the arch and soft tissues of the foot, which help protect the foot from injury. This is especially true when walking on hard and flat surfaces.
The wrong type of shoe — such as rigid or tight shoes — can lead to supination and other foot problems. Also, wearing shoes that are worn out or have no arch support causes supination.
Question: Hello, I suffered a stroke 30 years ago both my adrenal glands were removed and I now rely on 20 mg Hydrocortisone and 0.1 mg fludrocortisone a day Can I add DHEA and Pregnenolone 25/100 mg to improve my hormone levels i.e. Reduce my psa levels
Answer: Hi. I have received and read your question. Based on the information you have provided and considering the medications you are taking, I would not recommend taking DHEA or Pregnenolene. Both have questionable results with insufficient evidence of effectiveness. In addition, they are banned in some countries for certain activities. I hope this answers your question. Below is some background additional info for you.
Serum levels of the adrenal androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated conjugation product DHEAS, peak in men and women in the 3rd decade and decrease progressively with age. Increasing numbers of middle-aged and older individuals consume over-the-counter preparations of DHEA in the hope that it will retard aging by increasing muscle and bone mass and strength, decreasing fat, and improving immunologic and neurobehavioral functions. To date, however, the benefits and risks of DHEA administration for “anti-aging” purposes have not been defined. Because DHEA can serve as a precursor to testosterone (T) and estrogen, supplemental DHEA use may pose a cancer risk in patients with nascent or occult cancer of the prostate and/or breast.
Question: I am about to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy surgery to remove hemorrhoids. I was told I would need a local anesthetic. But I am really, really worried about developing anaphylaxis to the anesthetic. Even though I have had anesthesia in the past without any problems. Do you think I need to be concerned of having a reaction?
Answer:Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis may last a lifetime. But if you have not experienced a severe reaction in the past, you are unlikely to develop the same in future. Do not worry. Just be aware and, to be reassured and feel safe, keep rescue medicine always with you as standby.
Question: I went to hospital 2 weeks ago and now have received the results of my immunity test. I don’t understand what these mean. Is there a problem that I should know about? I was prepared for the test – no meds etc. Should I consider to take a vaccine in the future? Please help.
1. HAV-IgG to Hep A – 11.48 (reactive).
2. Mumps – 47 (positive).
3. Rubella – 46.2 (reactive).
4. Measles – >300 (positive).
Thank you very much for you assistance.
Answer: Hello. Thank you for your question. Immunity concerns have been more in the forefront today what with the corona virus situation and more. Based on the info you have provided it is my opinion that you have no need to worry despite the results turning positive. For instance, for hepatitis, the virus that is considered to be dangerous is hepatitis B, all the same, you may need to take hepatitis immunization. For the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) mostly a large number of people that are tested tend to have traits of it not unless you are symptomatic, there is no need for alarm, but again I would highly recommend you take the vaccine for the same.
I am 21-year-old female. I am pretty healthy and have an average weight. I had a sore throat for two days and it is extremely hard to swallow due to swelling to the point I can barely eat solid food. It is not scratchy, and I do not have a cough or fever.
I went to the urgent care, strep was negative but the doctor said it must be strep and would not listen to any of my symptoms. He spent about 30 seconds with me and is treating me with Biaxin. Pain is killing me, and my stomach is having a hard time with these antibiotics even with food. I am attaching a photo.
Answer:
From the picture we received, you seem to be suffering from acute follicular tonsillitis. Usually, this is caused by strep, other bacteria responsible for this condition are Hemophilus and Moraxella. A course of antibiotic at this stage helps in early recovery. As you have been started on macrolide antibiotic, I believe it is the best course of action at this stage – you need to follow the whole course for it to be effective.
Antibiotics are known to cause gastric upset, which usually disappears once the course stops. If this is too difficult to endure ask your Doctor for Zantac (Ranitidine) 150 mg and take before food twice daily and use warm salt water gargles at least three times a day. If situation continues, please follow up with your Doctor after seven days.
Question: I had a root canal done about a month ago. I was supposed to return to the dentist 2 weeks later but because of covid-19, they cancelled. I started getting a bit of pain in the area where the root canal was done and a bad taste in my mouth. I called my dentist and they called in a prescription for amoxicillin. One week later, nothing had changed. I called the dentist and they had me come in. The dentist prescribed me Clindamycin 4 times a day for 10 days. I’m currently on day 4 of taking this. The taste has gone away. The pain is not fully gone but better. My tongue still has a light film on it. I have spina bifida and while showering yesterday, I noticed I have 2 hive like welts near where the spina bifida cyst is. (picture attached) Also the lymph node near my groin area is tender. I don’t feel sick or have a fever so I’m wondering if these things could be side effects of the Clindamycin?
Answer: Hi. I have received and read your question. Based on the information you have provided I believe this may be be caused by the Clindamyci. I would recommend you speak to your Dentist once more and discuss with him/her the possibility of using an alternative such as cephalexin, azithromycin or clarithromycin. If situation persists you should consult with your primary care physician.
Here Is some more information:
Common Clindamycin side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
mild skin rash; or
vaginal itching or discharge;
Side effects requiring medical assistance:
– any change in bowel habits;
– severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
– little or no urination; or
– a metallic taste in your mouth (after clindamycin injection).
Question: I hit my head on a wall. I am feeling pressing sensations in my left temple. Just recently I feel much smaller sensations in my right temple. Not painful just pressing. What is going on?
Answer: A blow such as the one you have received may have no consequences whatsoever. Using pain relief medication such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help with the pain. Please avoid using ibuprofen (advil) for such an injury. You will need to consult if you have subsequent symptoms. Immediate medical attention is required if you experience symptoms such as bruising behind the ears or around the eyes (raccoon eyes). These can potentially indicate a severe or life-threatening injury. If you experience these symptoms, a CT scan will be required to further evaluate the situation. Sometimes a blow to the head may produce a concussion. These are difficult to diagnose. And the consequences vary. Most concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) symptoms will go away without treatment. So please continue to monitor your situation and should symptoms worsen please consult for more investigation.
Additional Information:
Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating).
A closed head injury means you received a hard blow to the head from striking an object, but the object did not break the skull.
An open, or penetrating, head injury means you were hit with an object that broke the skull and entered the brain. This is more likely to happen when you move at high speed, such as going through the windshield during a car accident. It can also happen from a gunshot to the head.
Head injuries include:
Concussion, in which the brain is shaken, is the most common type of traumatic brain injury.
Scalp wounds.
Skull fractures.
Head injuries may cause bleeding:
In the brain tissue
In the layers that surround the brain
Common causes of head injury include:
Accidents at home, work, outdoors, or while playing sports
Falls
Physical assault
Traffic accidents
Most of these injuries are minor because the skull protects the brain. Some injuries are severe enough to require a stay in the hospital.
I woke up this morning with sudden back pain and a low grade fever?
Answer:
If the fever does persist for more than 2 or 3 days, this may be due to a more serious infection or underlying condition which will require a doctor consultation. An imaging test will then be required as well as further testing after examination. In the meantime if symptoms worsen today or tomorrow, I recommend you visit an ER just to be on the safe side.
Below is a more comprehensive answer:
Causes of back pain and shortness of breath include:
Muscle strain
Muscle strains respond well to rest, ice or heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
A muscle strain typically goes away after a few days, but if it lasts longer, the doctor can prescribe stronger medications, such as a muscle relaxant, to help relieve the discomfort.
Pneumonia
Either a virus or bacteria can cause pneumonia. If the pneumonia is bacterial, a person may need antibiotics to clear up the infection completely. Some people may require hospitalization and supportive care to prevent further complications.
Excess Weight
Being overweight means the muscles of the back have to work harder to support the basic activities of daily life. Having extra fat around the chest or back can also make it harder to breathe or take a deep breath.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes chest pain, heartburn, or a sour taste in the mouth.
Simple home remedies, such as not eating before lying down and avoiding common triggers can also help prevent GERD. Potential triggers include acidic foods, citrus, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol.
Gallbladder Disease
If a person has gallbladder stones, they may need surgery to remove the stones or the entire gallbladder. Someone who is susceptible to developing stones should avoid eating fatty foods, which can worsen bile production and increase the likelihood of developing stones.
Aortic Dissection
An aortic dissectionoccurs when there is a tear in the aorta, causing blood to leak into the vessel walls. This is a very rare condition but causes severe back pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, and sweating.
An aortic dissection is a life-threatening event that requires immediate treatment. Depending on where the dissection is, emergency surgery may be necessary.
Other Causes Include:
Cancer of the spine: A tumor on the spine may press against a nerve, resulting in back pain.
Infection of the spine: A fever and a tender, warm area on the back could be due to an infection of the spine.
Other infections:Pelvic inflammatory disease, bladder, or kidney infections may also lead to back pain.
Sleep disorders: Individuals with sleep disorders are more likely to experience back pain, compared with others.
Shingles:An infection that can affect the nerves may lead to back pain. This depends on which nerves are affected.
Cauda equina syndrome: The cauda equine is a bundle of spinal nerve roots that arise from the lower end of the spinal cord. Symptoms include a dull pain in the lower back and upper buttocks, as well as numbness in the buttocks, genitalia, and thighs. There are sometimes bowel and bladder function disturbances.
People in Asian countries have adopted the use of masks for years now. During the corona virus covid-19 outbreaks in Asia, everyone was obliged to wear a mask (and in some areas still are obliged to do so). That’s how they beat it! The use of a mask is NOT necessarily to protect the user from the virus but to PREVENT the user from spreading the virus to others! It is a very simple and intelligent thing to do. Common sense.
I don’t want to get into the reasons why North American and European governments do not promote the use of masks – that is a political issue – probably due to the fact that too much money is spent on military hardware and little to nothing spent on biological warfare or pandemic protection. Maybe it is because there is no available mass production of masks in America or not an integral part of the American culture – but that’s another issue altogether. So my advice is – WEAR A MASK, WEAR A MASK, WEAR A MASK.
Wife has a pin that’s tender to the touch under right side of belly button, feels like a knot or something under there
Answer:
Hi,
I have received and read your question. Several conditions can cause an abdominal mass. If your wife is also experiencing pain, vomiting, fever or discoloration, to be on the safe side , it would be preferable you seek out immediate attention such as an ER or emergency clinic. But if that is not the case then the type of mass you are describing may just require a visit to your Doctor. A Right-lower quadrant mass can be a caused by a number of conditions: hernia, hematoma, cyst, tumour.
Generally speaking a mass needs to be examined by your Doctor. An imaging test will be required – CT scan, Ultrasound, or X ray – depending on symptoms, and where the mass is located and how it feels, your Doctor will recommend the appropriate imaging test. The results will indicate further course of action.
Below is a more comprehensive answer:
Located on the right lower abdomen are – Bowel, Kidney, Ovary.
Abdominal masses can be the result of a number of factors, including an injury, cyst, benign tumor, cancer, or other disease.
A cyst is an abnormal mass in the body that’s filled with fluid or infected matter. It is sometimes to blame for an abdominal mass.
Cysts that commonly cause abdominal masses include ovarian cysts, which are cysts that form in or around the ovaries.
Cancers that often cause abdominal masses include: colon cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer
Certain diseases may also cause abdominal masses. These diseases include:
pancreatic abscess a pus-filled hollow in the pancreas
diverticulitis inflammation or infection of the diverticula, common pouches that form in weak places in the intestines and colon
hydronephrosis an enlarged kidney due to the backup of urine
enlarged liver
splenic enlargement
IBD Inlammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of your digestive track lining,
abdominal aortic aneurysm, enlargement or protrusion of the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs
I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and my neurologist ordered some blood work to see if there is any cause for my neuropathy. He said there is nothing in my test that shows the cause of my neuropathy. However I see that a couple of my white blood cell counts are high. Is this any cause for concern? Thanks.
Answer:
Hi,
High white blood cell count is of course a matter of concern. This indicates there is some other underlying problem. Although the problem may NOT be related to the peripheral neuropathy or causing it. High white cell count usually indicates your immune system is working to fight off an infection. This could be one of many things. On the other hand, finding the cause of the high count may establish some kind of link to your condition.
It would be a good idea you send us your lab results (your pdf attachment was empty). You should also consult with your primary care physician for a complete check up to try to identify the problem causing the high count.
Below is a more comprehensive answer.
There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, chemo-induced neuropathy, hereditary disorders, inflammatory infections, auto-immune diseases, protein abnormalities, exposure to toxic chemicals (toxic neuropathy), poor nutrition, kidney failure, chronic alcoholism, and certain medications – especially those used to treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. In some cases, however, even with extensive evaluation, the causes of peripheral neuropathy in some people remain unknown – this is called idiopathic neuropathy.
Other test that can be done to determine the cause of your high white blood cell count are:
Bacterial infection: a culture of the affected area (e.g.,urine culture, sputum culture, blood culture), strep test
Viral infection: tests for mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus
Hi I have become paranoid that my boyfriend is going to develop MND at some point In his life and it’s not that rare and I think because he has crohn’s disease that it will make him more pre disposed to get MND. But if he has a disease already will it make it less likely to happen?
Answer:
There is no reason to believe that because your boyfriend has Crohn’s disease that there is necessarily a greater chance of developing MND. There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime. It can affect adults of any age, but is more likely to affect people over 50. MND often begins with weakness of the muscles in the hands, feet or voice, although it can start in different areas of the body and progress in different ways. It is in hereditary in about 10% of the cases as far as the remaining 90% due to a number of factors including auto immune response issues, exposure to viruses, toxins and ageing of motor neurons. Unless there are existing symptoms which may lead you to believe your boyfriend may suffer from MND, I would not focus on that and stop thinking about it.
Here are some additional factors for your information:
The physical effects of motor neurone disease can include:
muscle aches, cramps, twitching
clumsiness, stumbling
weakness or changes in hands, arms, legs and voice
slurred speech, swallowing or chewing difficulty
fatigue
muscle wasting, weight loss
emotional excess – for example, where a slight upset can cause an exaggerated response, such as crying or laughing
cognitive change (changes in thought processes)
respiratory changes.
Doctors often find it difficult to diagnose MND in the early stages as it can resemble other conditions, such as mutiple sclerosis (MS). If a doctor suspects someone has MND, they will refer them to a neurologist, who will take a medical history, do a thorough examination, and may suggest other tests, such as:
1. Blood and urine tests: These can help a doctor rule out other conditions and detect any rise in creatinine kinase, a substance that muscles produce when they break down.
2. MRI brain scan: An MRI cannot detect an MND, but it can help rule out other conditions, such as stroke , brain tumour, or unusual brain structures.
3. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study (NCS): An EMG tests the amount of electrical activity within muscles, while a NCS tests the speed at which electricity moves through muscles.
4. Spinal tap, or lumbar puncture: A doctor will look for changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It can help rule out other conditions.
5. Muscle biopsy: This can help detect or rule out a muscle disease.
The doctor will normally monitor the individual for some time after the tests before confirming that they have MND.
My daughter (18h was admitted to the ER a week following surgery for a perilymph fistula repair, exhibiting signs of mental confusion and severe headache, with fear of possible meningitis or sepsis. She was placed on IV antibiotics and blood cultures were sent out. She recovered, although the cultures came back negative, with the procalcitonin test at < 0.2.
6 weeks later she was showing signs of confusion and severe headache again and was re-admitted to the ER, again for fear of infection. She was kept overnight and released after receiving one dose of IV antibiotics. The thought from her surgeon was that since the infection tests were negative the first time that they’ll likely be negative again so she was released. Today we got the tests back and the procalcitonin test was 1.6 which appears to be positive.
We are not sure how to interpret this result. Her surgeon said to contact her PCP and that he didn’t know how to read that test. She continues to have headaches.
Answer:
Generally speaking a reading of 1.6 would indicate that there some kind of response to an infection or some kind of tissue injury. I would definitely proceed with further investigation to identify what is the cause and source of the problem. Although this does not appear to be an emergency since levels are less than 2. A complete examination by your family physician is needed with appropriate testing depending on the medical history of your daughter and if there are other symptoms present. Here are some other points that need to be considered.
1 : PCT levels may be elevated in patients who do not have sepsis. Plasma levels in these cases
usually are not very high (<2 ng/mL), but they may increase significantly in certain conditions, e.g.
following liver transplantation, during severe and prolonged cardiogenic shock, in patients with heat
shock, severe pancreatitis, and rhabdomyolysis (>2-10 ng/mL).
THUS IT SHOWS THAT ( PCT ) LEVEL LOWER THEN THE LEVEL 2 DOESN’T INDICATE SEPSIS AND
CAN BE RAISED BY CERTAIN OTHER FACTORS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.
2 : depending upon the previous clinical history of the patient, labs should be done to determine whether any
clinical problem exists or not.
Nature of labs and investigation of patient should be according to previous clinical history of the
patient If any treatment or any surgery was carried out previously.
3 : if the Procalcitonin ( PCT ) level is less then 2 ( <2.0 ) it doesn’t indicate there is sepsis ( infection )
and thus its not any emergency to rush but it’s the sign that you should consider to have a complete checkup.
I am a 65 year old female who just had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago, They found 2 polyps, one of which is benign at 5 mm.
The concerning one is 10 mm Precancerous sessile serrated adenoma polyp which was removed. I read that this type is very serious and is a precursor to colon cancer. It seems to act differently than most polyps in that it has a different molecular structure that is malignant?
I understand that there is a higher chance of getting colon cancer even if the polyps are always removed. Is this the case.
Also, when should I have the next colonoscopy? Any preventative measures?
My dr. is out of town on vacation and I am extremely nervous and worried about this.
Any assistance you can give me is well appreciated…Truth always helps so I can be prepared and ready to monitor etc.
Thank you,
Doctor Answer:
The 10mm polyp is a premalignant lesion of the colon so its not the sign of
cancer but of malignancy, results of biopsy and evaluating the surgeon’s notes are important to understand the risks, whether there is cancer and more aggressive treatments, if any, are needed. This type of polyp is a little more difficult to deal with, BUT If the polyp was COMPLETELY removed during the procedure and there are no additional elements, just regular follow up colonoscopies will be required 0 the first within a couple of months. Please follow the advice of your Doctor and Oncologist.
Below is a more comprehensive answer.
ADVICE AS PER ABOVEMENTIONED QUERIES:
A sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) is a premalignant flat (or sessile) lesion of the colon,
predominantly seen in the cecum and ascending colon.
SSAs are thought to lead to colorectal cancer through the (alternate) serrated pathway. This
differs from most colorectal cancer, which arises from mutations starting with inactivation of
the APC gene.
TREATMENT
Complete removal of a SSA is considered curative.
Several SSAs confer a higher risk of subsequently finding colorectal cancer and warrant more
frequent surveillance. The surveillance guidelines are the same as for other colonic
adenomas. The surveillance interval is dependent on ;
(1) the number of adenomas,
(2) the size of the adenomas, and
(3) the presence of high-grade microscopic features.
Prevention strategy
The usual approach to primary prevention of CRC or neoplastic colorectal polyps is to alter
modifiable risk factors as well as utilize effective nutritional or chemopreventive agents.
While tobacco use is associated with the presence of SSPs, there is relatively little else
known about the primary prevention of SSPs.
The focus of secondary prevention is on high quality surveillance colonoscopy, complete
eradication of SSPs is finally on improving our recognition and understanding of SPS.
Hello Doctors. I am a 32 year old woman suffering from chronic back pain. I have been to several doctors as well as many specialists and there seems to be NOTHING wrong with me. This has been confirmed by numerous tests – cbc blood test, scans etc . My question is: Please inform me as to what are my options. What can I do to get rid of this chronic pain I am suffering from? Thank you ahead of time. God bless you.
Hello. In response to your question I think it is important to underline some facts.
At times pain is not caused by anything physically. And it isn’t imagined either. It is real.
Pain can be purely psychological. It is often caused by psychogenic factors meaning pain that’s psychological in origin. It also is possible it starts from fearful thoughts…negative perceptions of ourselves.
There are 100 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain, with back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia symptoms, or other forms of pain that have no diagnosed physical cause…none whatsoever.
It’s not that their pain is “in their heads.” The truth is much more nuanced: All pain can have both physical and psychological components. But the psychological component is often dismissed or never acknowledged.
Big pharma’s aggressive marketing of pills and the minimal training doctors get in pain medicine mean that for too long, the go-to treatment for many forms of chronic pain has been opioids. Yet opioids have proven to be not only largely ineffective for treating most chronic pain but also highly addictive and risky.
Other forms of therapy do exist for relief of chronic pain
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy shows meaningful benefits on chronic pain — both for psychogenic pain, and for pain with a physical cause — according to systematic reviews of the research. There’s also promising research around mindfulness-based stress reduction and therapies inspired by it.
Yet pain psychologists are hard to find and hard to pay for, and most patients don’t even know they exist. “At the moment, they tend to be seen as a route of no hope for the hopeless, for people who have gone through everything else,” says Amanda Williams, a psychological researcher who conducted one of the reviews of studies on the effectiveness of psychological therapy for pain.
Doctors have long known that pain can exist in the absence of any physical harm.
Likewise, doctors have known that pain can be suppressed without any real medical intervention.
“Pain can be ‘real’ pain — and it can be caused by brain circuits,” says Tor Wager, a neuroscientist who studies pain at the University of Colorado Boulder. “We have to get over this concept that either the pain is real or it’s all in my head and I’m making it up.” It’s both. Pain, explained
Chronic pain may start off as an acute injury and then never go away. It could also be the result of nerve problems, or degenerative diseases like arthritis. Some people might be more susceptible to acute pain turning into chronic pain due in part to genetics. And there’s some evidence that differences in brain structure can predict who goes on to develop chronic pain and who does not.
Our thoughts, personalities, and learned behaviors can also influence whether our pain alarms get tripped. So do our emotions.
Overall, the takeaway is that “pain isn’t just something that happens to us,” says Beth Darnall, a professor of anesthesiology at Stanford University. “We are participating with pain by how much attention we give to it, by the contents of our thoughts, and our appraisal. How awful and negative is it? How helpless and hopeless do you feel about it? Do you feel as a victim; do you feel at the mercy of your pain?”
You might be thinking: Isn’t this all a placebo response? Well, maybe. But don’t dismiss placebos’ healing power. Even powerful painkillers like morphine are much less effective when people don’t know they’ve taken them.
It could be that psychological therapy is kind of like a strong placebo, or that placebo is a weak form of therapy –
the power of healers to cure disease may in fact stem form the psychological effects healers exert on people’s own inner mental placebo effect.
The best evidence base for this is for cognitive behavioral therapy
Considering how dangerous and damaging the past decades of treating chronic pain with addicting opioids has been, and how risky and expensive surgery can be, they’re a worthy option, one that’s never sold to doctors by pharmaceutical representatives or advertised directly to consumers on TV.
The most common psychological treatment for pain, and the most well-studied, is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. Overall, it’s one of the most rigorously tested and effective tools psychology has to offer. More typically, it’s used to treat anxiety, phobias, and mood disorders like depression. But it can also help some people manage their pain.
CBT “helps people change ways of processing their beliefs and their experiences when they are overly negative,” she says.
Alternative treatment therapies have also shown to help with chronic pain… one of which Reiki healing being presently used in hundreds of American hospitals as well as thousands of hospitals throughout the world.
In the brain, emotional pain and physical pain interact. Just as people sometimes turn to opioids to mask their emotional problems, psychological therapy and other healing techniques can help physical pain. “It’s time to recognize that there is so much overlap that we almost can’t treat one without addressing the other,” Darnall, the Stanford professor of anesthesiology, says.
Psychological therapies can get better — and so can access to them
On the bright side, psychological therapies for pain are low-risk. The same cannot be said of medical treatments for chronic pain. Back surgery for lower back pain often backfires. Doctors literally call this “failed back surgery syndrome” — around 20 percent of back surgery patients will still have chronic pain despite successful procedures, which can cost $50,000 or more.
So the best advice to chronic pain sufferers is to explore ALL avenues even those that seem out of the ordinary.
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