Chronic Pain: Beyond Tissue

Chronic pain may be caused by factors beyond just damaged tissue.
Chronic pain, defined as persisting more than four months, affects approximately 116 million people in the United States. About half of these Americans have an autoimmune disorder or condition that triggers the pain. One in three people struggle with chronic pain globally. 

Short-Term Opioid Use
Americans consume about 300 million opiod prescriptions annually. Opioids do not fix long-term pain, but they can help in the short-term. It’s best to use the lowest dose for the shortest period of time. Combine with integrated natural strategies to get through the temporary pain.

Professional Help
It’s important to enlist the help of a professional educated about chronic pain. The average pain specialist you may see in the hospital only receives four hours of pain science education, focusing on what drug to prescribe or which procedure to perform.

Get Moving: Body & Mind
Movement is helpful for chronic or persistent pain. It burns calories and decreases inflammation. Being active also helps regulate insulin, cortisol and growth hormone. Movement helps decrease an overly sensitive nervous system. Start small and increase your movement as your body allows.

If you're worried about further injury after all of the tissue has healed, you may need to visualize simple movement of the pained area, retraining your brain and body. Gradient motor imagery is dosed like actual exercise. Increase visualization day by day, and you may find your pain decrease.

Uncovering the Root Cause
The cause of chronic pain may not be obvious on an x-ray or MRI. It is worth investigating diet, lifestyle, stress, and thoughts to heal the chronic pain. Get better at listening to your body, and speak with your practitioner about what you’re experiencing.

Listen as Dr. Joe Tatta joins Dr. Susanne Bennett to discuss treating chronic pain.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 2
  • Audio File: wellness_for_life/1701wl5b.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Joe Tatta, DPT
  • Book Title: Heal Your Pain Now; The Revolutionary Program to Reset Your Brain and Body for a Pain-Free Life
  • Guest Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/DrJoeTatta
  • Guest Twitter Account: @drjoetatta
  • Guest Bio: Dr. Joe TattaDr. Joe Tatta is a doctor of physical therapy, board certified nutrition specialist and functional medicine practitioner who specializes in treating persistent pain and lifestyle-related musculoskeletal, metabolic and autoimmune health issues.

    His mission is to create a new paradigm around treating persistent pain and reverse our global pain epidemic.

    He is the creator of the Healing Pain Online Summit and the host of The Healing Pain Podcast designed to broaden the conversation around natural strategies toward solving persistent pain. 

    Dr. Tatta is the author of the best-selling book Heal Your Pain Now; A Revolutionary Program to Reset Your Brain and Body for a Pain-Free Life by Da Capo Press.

    He is currently in private practice and also provides Online Health Consulting to help people achieve a pain-free life free from chronic disease.
  • Length (mins): 26:35
  • Waiver Received: No
  • Host: Susanne Bennett, DC