Living With Chronic Pain Can Be Very Distressing

Chronic pain is common in Australia and all over the world.   Carrying ongoing aches and pains places a huge burden on the body and on the mind causing fatigue. Regular daily tasks become an excruciating and exhausting exercise.   Routines can easily become overwhelming and psychologically distressing for those who have it, making them prone to developing depression and anxiety as the body requires more rest and pain strong doses of relief medication. Carrying chronic pain can put a strain on relationships. Particularly when there’s little or no relief.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain

• Mild to severe pain that doesn’t go away
• Shooting, aching, burning or electrical sensations
• Discomfort, tightness, soreness or stiffness

There are many conditions that cause chronic pain. Below are listed just a few of the major ones.

Main Causes of Chronic pain

• Fibromyalgia
• Immune Disorders
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancer
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Back Pain & Slipped Disc or Bulging Disc
• Spinal Stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal cord canal
• Chronic Headaches & Migraines
• Structural Deformities

Psychological Long term Effects of Chronic Pain

With the added stress on the brain, the long term effects of chronic pain can have an impact on cognitive function affecting mood, memory and concentration regardless of the root cause of the pain. The psychological effects can linger on long after the pain has been dealt with, affecting relationships and reducing the quality of life for the patient and for their family. Poorly managed chronic pain affects sleep, increases irritability, adds more stress, affects all relationships and creates employment problems leading to social isolation.

Chronic pain interventions such as pain management and looking after the psychological welfare of the person affected can be addressed simultaneously. Cognitive behavioural therapy and medication can help those with chronic pain work towards their psychological improvement.  Living with chronic pain is not easy.

If you’re in psychological distress, seek the help of your GP who can recommend the right professional help for your particular ailment.  Address your pain sooner rather than later with the help of your doctor, pray in faith and seek counselling to help balance your emotional life.

Prayer for Pain Relief

Father God,

I praise you and thank you that through your grace I can come boldly into your Holy presence with full confidence in knowing that you can take this pain away. Your word says that what is impossible for man is possible for God.  I ask that you intervene with your supernatural power to heal me and make me whole. I ask for your peace that comes with your perfect love to wash over me.  Fill me with your strength and lift this burden off me it’s too much to bear.  Jesus came to set the captives free and I ask that you release me from this stronghold and restore me to health. I trust you to strengthen me, to renew me and help me get through this. I pray that the pain will leave my body now in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred.Dip.Couns.(Christian)

Sources:

What are the complications of rheumatoid arthritis?
Conditions most often associated with chronic pain
Understanding pain management of Chronic pain

Where to Find Help

Talk to your doctor if you are suffering from Chronic Pain who can refer you to the right treatment and provide pain management options for your condition.

Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.

Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Free 24/7 Counselling Services

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

At The beginning of each year in February.

Mid-Year courses commence in July.

Enrolments open approximately 3 months prior the courses commencing. Enquire now by filling out the form with your details to receive course information by email.

Note: A Masters course in Christian counselling will be introduced in 2018.

Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397