Chronic pain

is pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an injury or illness or that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition. The pain is usually not constant but can interfere with daily life at all levels.

Chronic Pain Management with the D.A.V.I.D.1
"Some Thoughts on Endorphins"
By Frederic J. Boersma, Ph.D.

It is important to note the difference between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain usually is associated with short-term pain, whereas chronic pain is long-term. Physicians often prescribe medication for acute pain, but this same medication can be detrimental in the management of chronic pain. This is why physicians often do not renew prescriptions for chronic pain patients.

When your body is experiencing pain, it creates endorphins, a natural pain killer, to suppress your pain. The body's pain messengers compete with endorphins to the point where the more pain you experience, the fewer the endorphins created. Thus, individuals who live with chronic pain usually have fewer endorphins in their bodies than normal people.

Pain medication also suppresses the body's ability to manufacture endorphins so that when pain medication wears off, there are even fewer endorphins left, which in turn results in increased pain messages from the body. This circular interactive effect is common in chronic pain patients who depend on medication to manage their discomfort. These people never seem to catch up and seem to keep needing more and more medication to maintain a normal lifestyle. Some research suggests that it may take years for the body to regenerate its supply of endorphins when depletion occurs due to chronic pain and overuse of medication.

Dependency on demerol, codeine, percodan, morphine and other types of pain killers also is detrimental because it leads to addictive behaviors. These addictive behaviors eventually are reflected in family interactions which become enmeshed and dysfunctional. The point to remember is that when you do not depend on pain medications, your body produces more endorphins, you have more control, and the quality of your life improves.

There are several ways to increase the output of endorphins in your body. One of the most effective is to use relaxation techniques which involve imagery, in conjunction with brain wave entrainment. This can be accomplished by using the D.A.V.I.D. 1 along with supportive psychotherapy. Recent research indicates that treatment with the D.A.V.I.D. 1 can result in decreased dependency on pain medication, improved sleep, reduced suicidal ideation, as well as increased self-esteem and family stability. These findings are due, in part, to the fact that people given a procedure whereby they can shut off pain messages without medication can sleep (rest) for longer periods of time. This in turn facilitates endorphin output which contributes to less stress and greater control over one's life.

In short, a supportive psychotherapy pain management program which incorporates use of the D.A.V.I.D. 1 can help you manage chronic pain more effectively.

Other Treatment Possibilities with the D.A.V.I.D. 1

• Sleep Enhancement
• Stress Management
• Increased Relaxation
• Improved Self-Esteem
• Greater Creativity

Notable Quotes