How Your Mental Load Impacts Chronic Pain

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that managing the simplest of chores seems impossible? Mental load, or cognitive load, is the amount of mental effort it takes to perform a task. It’s that mental list that you keep in your head of all of the things that you need to tackle in a day, week, […]

Why a “Quick-Fix” Mentality can be Harmful

As human beings, we often seek out fast solutions to our problems. We want to feel better as soon as possible, whether it’s by taking a pill or indulging in some other form of instant gratification. However, the quick-fix mentality can actually be counterproductive. Our brains are always changing and growing, in response to our […]

Coping Strategies for Chronic Pain: Tips and Techniques to Help You Manage Pain

Living with chronic pain can be an overwhelming and challenging experience. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for longer than three to six months, and it can have a profound impact on your quality of life. It can affect your work, your relationships, your emotional well-being, and your ability to engage in activities […]

Why Your Fear of Pain Might be Causing More Pain

Living with chronic pain can be a challenging and frustrating experience. It can impact every aspect of your life, from your ability to work, your social relationships, and even your mental health. One of the most challenging aspects of living with pain is the fear that comes along with it. When we experience pain, our […]

How Learning a New Activity Can Help with Chronic Pain

Learning a new skill or activity is a great way to develop resilience in your brain and help reduce the impact of chronic pain. This can be anything from learning a new language, taking up a physical activity, or even exploring new technology. Firstly, when you engage in a new activity, you challenge your brain […]

The Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma: Understanding the Connection to Chronic Pain

Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on an individual’s physical and mental well-being. When we talk about trauma, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a terrible event happened. Trauma can be repeated feelings of neglect or criticism, for instance. While an array of symptoms may come up later in life because of early trauma, let’s […]

How to Deal with Chronic Pain Over the Holidays

The holidays can be both a wonderful and difficult time of the year. You might feel overwhelmed with the extra obligations and time with others, particularly if you are dealing with chronic pain. Here are a few tools to help you navigate this holiday season if chronic pain is part of your life. Practice setting […]

Which Came First, the Chronic Pain or the Depression?

Breaking down the relationship between negative feelings and chronic pain Many people suffering from invisible illnesses are initially misdiagnosed as having depression. Although this is concerning, it is understandable given the symptoms of these chronic illnesses overlap with conditions often associated with depression. Depression and anxiety have been reported to be more prevalent in chronic […]

Personality Traits That Can Lead to Chronic Pain

Most people don’t typically associate personality traits with pain.  However, the two go hand-in-hand more than you might realize, especially when you’re dealing with chronic pain. While personality traits aren’t always predictors of pain, certain ones may trigger the “fight-or-flight” response in your brain more heavily than others.  That results in the amygdala over-firing, causing […]