There are many definitions of pain and they affect people differently, this article from Green Shield really resonated with me. A few years back I was rear ended at a red light and for about 1 1/2 years I was in what I would call Chronic Pain. Fortunately, I did not have to go on opioids but I was on Tylenol with Codeine until my body had enough of it and I ended up in emergency with a reaction to it. I was taking these like they were candy. At initial onset of the accident I resisted taking any pain medication but I was not fun to live with.
I can relate to this article and research showing that a more holistic approach to chronic pain is required. Not just treating the pain with opioids but managing the movement and mental health of the patient as well. I am not one to have depression, but when I was in this pain I certainly saw myself slide into depression.
I was very fortunate to have Sean Hawthorne at One Life Health + Wellness to help get me back on track. Due to the pain and my inability to understand how to work around it I was doing very little activity. I will never forget the first day when he handed me 5 pound weights and asked me to lift them over my head and I couldn’t. I am sure Sean remembers the tears running down my cheek. Sean gave me my life back, to which I am very grateful. He understood that I had lost the foundation of my fitness and with great patience he was able to bring me back. As my physical health changed, so did my mental health and along with that eventually I no longer required pain medication. Even though I live a full active life, I still guard the area that had the chronic pain. My mind never seems to forget.
Green Shield is a leader in our industry in research on prescription drugs and our health.
Glendinning Insurance Services, Your Resource Specialist. Contact us if you would like to see what holistic benefits your contract include.