Benefits of Chronic Pain Coaching
Are you tired of feeling trapped by your pain? Are you looking for a way to take back control of your life? Well, look no further! With the help of a Chronic Pain Coach, you can learn how to manage your pain, improve your quality of life, and reclaim your sense of self.
Recent studies have shown that health coaching can be an effective tool for managing chronic pain. In fact, a 2020 study published in the Journal PLoS ONE found that coaching can significantly reduce pain severity, improve physical function, and enhance overall well-being in patients with chronic pain. Another study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2017, found that coaching can help individuals with chronic pain to develop self-management skills, improve their coping strategies, and enhance their sense of personal control over their pain.
So, what exactly is chronic pain coaching, and how can it help you? Essentially, a Chronic Pain Coach is a trained professional who specializes in helping individuals with chronic pain to develop strategies for managing their pain and improving their overall quality of life. This might involve teaching you techniques for relaxation and stress management, helping you to develop healthy sleep habits, providing guidance on nutrition and exercise, and helping you to identify and manage triggers for your pain.
One of the key benefits of working with a Chronic Pain Coach is that you will have the support and guidance you need to make meaningful changes in your life. Chronic pain can be incredibly isolating, and it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. A coach can provide you with the accountability and motivation you need to stay on track, and can help you to stay focused on your goals even when you feel discouraged or overwhelmed.
In addition to working individually, I also recommend group coaching for chronic pain as an additional way to receive and give support. This has proven to be a great benefit to those wishing to feel seen, heard, and validated in their pain experience. So often loved ones don’t understand what you’re going through, which can be a tough situation to navigate. When you are in the company of others who are experiencing similar challenges, managing your chronic pain can become less isolating.
Another benefit of chronic pain coaching is that it can help you to develop a more positive mindset. Living with chronic pain can be incredibly challenging, and it's easy to fall into a pattern of negative thinking. Studies show that Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) can increase pain levels. A coach can help you to reframe your thoughts and beliefs, so that you can start to see your pain as something that you can manage and overcome, rather than something that is controlling your life.
Of course, coaching is just one of many tools that can be helpful for managing chronic pain. Here are a few other techniques that you might consider:
Mindfulness: a technique that involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment or distraction. Research has shown that mindfulness can be helpful for reducing pain intensity and improving overall quality of life in individuals with chronic pain.
Somatic tracking: a technique that involves paying attention to your body sensations and noticing any areas of tension or discomfort. By practicing somatic tracking, you can learn to identify the physical sensations associated with your pain, and can develop strategies for managing these sensations more effectively.
Body scans: systematically focusing on different areas of your body, and noticing any sensations or tension that you might be feeling in each area. By doing regular body scans, you can develop a greater awareness of your body, and can learn to relax and release tension more effectively.
Pacing: breaking up your activities into smaller, more manageable chunks, and taking regular breaks to rest and recover. This can help to prevent flare-ups of pain, and can allow you to engage in more activities without triggering your pain.
Other techniques: There are many other techniques that can be helpful for managing chronic pain, including acupuncture, massage, mindful movement, elimination diets, and more. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which techniques might be right for you.
Managing chronic pain can feel like it has taken over your life, but with the right tools and support you can start the journey towards taking back control. If you are ready to take the first step, I encourage you to click below to learn more about Relief & Renewal, a 12-week program designed to help you manage your chronic pain and create a better future for yourself.
When you join Relief & Renewal, you will have access to:
12 Weekly Group Coaching Sessions
3 Monthly One-on-One Coaching Sessions
12 Self-Paced Educational Videos
If you have tried it all and are ready to work towards true change and transformation, then Relief & renewal could be just the spark you need to ignite your inner light!
Resources
Rethorn, Z. D., Pettitt, R. W., Dykstra, E., & Pettitt, C. D. (2020). Health and wellness coaching positively impacts individuals with chronic pain and pain-related interference. PloS one, 15(7), e0236734. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236734
