chronic Pain management By Justin Doan chronic Pain management

Introduction Chronic pain is a worldwide problem that effects almost “46.5%” (Breen) worlds population, and costs about “$560 to 630 billion dollars annually”(Jenson 105). Despite the prevalence of chronic pain medical professionals have still not come to an agreement on the most effective method of treating this phenomenon. Even though some medical professionals claim that traditional medical techniques such as pharmacological and surgical treatments are the quickest and longest lasting solution to chronic pain, psychological methods are the most effective when managing chronic pain because it allows the patient to take control of chronic pain, and it also provides patients with the ability to cope and adapt to life with chronic pain.

Thesis Thesis: Even though some medical professionals claim that traditional medical techniques such as pharmacological and surgical treatments are the quickest and longest lasting solution to chronic pain, psychological methods are the most effective when managing chronic pain because it allows the patient to take control of chronic pain, and it also provides patients with the ability to cope and adapt to life with chronic pain.

Argumentative Point 1 One of the biggest advantages of psychological treatment a method is it allows for the patient to be in control of their chronic pain Research has found that relaxation allows the patient to lower their stress levels and regulate their emotions. This relaxation technique, according to research conducted by Janice Breen, may “decrease the adverse effects of chronic pain by reducing stress and thereby reducing pain intensity”(54).

Argumentative Point 2 In addition to helping patients take control of their pain psychological methods also help with the experience of pain and improve depression among pain patients. This method of goal setting helps chronic pain patients deal with depression because it give the patient something to look forward to, instead sitting there reflecting on their injuries

Counterargument Medical professionals against the use of psychological methods to manage chronic pain argue that traditional medical techniques such as medications, and surgery provide a quick and easy fix for patients that is much more efficient than the psychological methods, which that take a lot more time and effort to implement.

Conclusion The argument that psychological methods to managing pain are two slow compared to traditional medical techniques may be true, but for what the psychological methods lack in speed they make up for it by giving patients control over pain and independence from doctors and medical drugs. Medical professionals and chronic pain patients can use the numerous psychological methods to take control of pain, and fight detrimental side effects like depression. The implications that psychological methods has managing on chronic pain way revolutionize how doctors and patients approach treating chronic pain. These methods are brining us closer to finding a perfect treatment for persistent pain and redefining our understanding of the nature of pain  

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