“You Are Powerless” And Other Chronic Pain Lies

By Tai of Allsup 

I am grateful for pain-free days. Pain sucks. Can you imagine waking up each morning knowing each of the next 24 hours will be filled with debilitating pain? Scratch that. Imagine not being able to sleep at night because of the pain, and greeting each morning sleep-deprived, knowing every move you make during the day, even breathing, will cause you pain.

According to the Institute of Medicine’s 2011 report, Relieving Pain in America, more than 100 million Americans don’t know what a pain-free day feels like. They live with chronic pain that saps their physical strength, psychological stamina, and finances.

At Allsup, we work with thousands of individuals who live with chronic pain, due to multiple sclerosis, cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, neuropathy, back/spinal disorders and other conditions. I’m constantly amazed at the resiliency, strength and optimism many of them display.

However, I’m also distressed at the toll chronic pain takes on their health, relationships and finances. They have asked Allsup to help them obtain Social Security Disability Insurance benefits because their condition is so severe, they can no longer work.

It is not surprising that individuals living with chronic pain experience feelings of powerlessness. This is especially true for individuals who endure pain that cannot be explained or quantified by medical tests. Pain treatments may not be effective, or they may not be accessible. For many, pain will be a permanent part of life.

But what do I hear from those amazing folks living with chronic pain? They tell me that the chronic pain message: “You are powerless,” is a lie. So are the messages, “I have nothing to offer,” “Nobody understands,” and “Maybe it’s all in my head?”

Claiming Power Over Pain

Research shows that feelings of powerlessness are associated with negative health outcomes. So how do you combat those feelings?

Find out at the Allsup True Help^® Web event, “Claiming Power Over Pain,”  Thursday, April 21, at 11 a.m. CST. This interactive (and theory based-for you academic types) program is designed to help individuals nurture their power resources.

People living with chronic pain and experts from the American Chronic Pain Association, Arthritis Foundation, Invisible Disabilities^® Association and Allsup will help participants recharge, and create a customized plan to reclaim their power. And there are opportunities to earn prizes!

Please join us and share the registration link with your friends, support groups and patients at bit.ly/TrueHelp, and on social media using #AllsupWebinar.