How do you mentally cope with your physical pain?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:07:44 -0400

Having dealt with a pretty severe back injury over the last year and a half with little to no relief after two surgeries, how do you mentally/emotionally cope with the pain knowing it will likely never go away?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2021 8:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 20:19:34 -0400

I find the hardest physical things I can do without making my pain or injury worse…and I do the hell out of them. I try to enjoy what my body can still do.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Oct 21 at 2021 1:59 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 13:59:15 -0400

Mind over matter... I don't mind so it don't matter.

That is rather glib, but it DOES work to an extent. We notice what we pay attention to. The more you focus on your pain, the more the pain will draw your focus.

A few months back I was shot in the shoulder at point blank range. It hurt like the Dickens, but I felt the impact (which broke my collarbone) not the rending flesh. I seriously didn't even know it was an actual bullet (I thought it must have been a bean bag round or something like that because of the impact) until my hand came away bloody. The pain almost immediately subsided as I realized I needed to get to a nearby house and have them call 911. And it stayed away while I worked through ensuring the scene was safe, self aid, police report, and notifying my employer. Once I had taken care of my responsibilities and I heard the ambulance coming so I could "surrender" to the injury, the pain got a lot worse real quick.

Once I was in the hospital, the pain was never all that bad as long as I was occupying myself with other things. When I thought about the pain it got worse.

Obviously, we should rarely just ignore pain, and even when we do, we can't ignore it for ever. But finding other things to focus on goes a great way to mentally dealing with the physical pain.

Response by SPC Wendy Dunn made Mar 4 at 2022 7:56 AM

SPC Wendy Dunn — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 07:56:36 -0500

I am retired because I broke my back in 2 places 19 yrs ago. I have PTSD, TBI, a lot of damage to my neck which I am going to physical therapy for, my left knee is in a brace because it is not bone on bone yet (right knee has been replaced) my right shoulder has a torn rotator cuff, a spur, fluid on it, arthritis and the part connected to the bone going to my bicep is coming apart but nothing can be done because it will make my neck worse (left shoulder has been replaced). On top of that I have fibromyalgia. For 30+ yrs I have lived with constant pain 24/7. I have found that as long as I know what is causing it (no matter if it can ever get better) it makes it easier to deal with. I just try to get the most out of each day. Helping others makes me happy and helps let me forget the pain for a while. It is just my dog and myself and she gives me a lot of joy and companionship, unconditional love can also help you forget your pain for a little while. Life is worth living, live it to the fullest as long as you find things in life that make you happy pain is just a fly buzzing in your ear that needs to be swatted.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2024 4:33 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 16:33:14 -0400

When I hurt my back really bad a few years ago from falling, it was super tough, both on my body and in my head. Some days I tried to keep my spirits up, looking for anything good happening, but sometimes, it just felt like too much.

I reached a point where just trying to stay positive wasn't enough, so I thought I'd try Physiotherapy to see if it could help with the pain and maybe make me feel better about it all. I got help from a physio named MOHAMMAD FASIHIRAMANDI. He showed me exercises just for my kind of back problem. But it wasn't just about moving better. He taught me how to understand what my body could do and what it couldn't, which actually made me feel more in control of my pain. That really helped me feel better overall. For more details about their services check this link - https://www.physioflow.ca/

PhysioFlow: Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic in Thornhill

Providing Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Insurance Covered, Direct Billing. Free Parking. Serving Vaughan, Thornhill, North York, and Richmond Hill.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Apr 16 at 2025 2:43 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:43:47 -0400

For me, staying busy helps – music, short walks, and sometimes certain cannabis strains like Guava Dawg help ease the pain a bit. If you're curious, you can check it out here:
https://strains.uk/weed-strains/guava-dawg-strain

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Response by SSG Gordon Holmes made Apr 19 at 2025 1:37 PM

SSG Gordon Holmes — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 13:37:28 -0400

For over the past two years been dealing with body wide neuropathy. Most nights I couldn't get to sleep because of the pain. Just finished Biofeedback at Kaiser, I am able to sleep almost every night now.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 19 at 2025 10:45 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 22:45:50 -0400

A number of decades ago, I was hit by a car and in a back brace for 2 years. Twice daily exercises eventually got me squared away. I still exercise on a regular basis.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Apr 20 at 2025 1:57 AM

SPC James Neidig — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:57:26 -0400

After Over 20 Years Of Not Having Full Use Of My Left Arm And Constant Back And Leg Pain,
I Have Found A Few Things That Take My Mind Off The Pain.
Staying Busy Doing Things You Enjoy Helps A lot
I Like Fishing And Hunting , So I Find Outfitters Who Can Accommodate My Disabilities.
I Also Volunteer At Local Food Banks And My Church Has A Soup Kitchen Where I Cook Meals For The Less Fortunate.
And The Most Important Things I Do Is Spend As Much Time With My Wife And Daughter As I Can Even Just Sitting On The Couch Watching Movies And Eating Popcorn, Try To Make Your Life As Normal As Possible.