Michigan Spine & Pain

Mt. Pleasant, Gaylord, & West Bloomfield, MI

 

Schedule Your Appointment Today

1-800-586-7992

Mt. Pleasant, MI – 989-772-1609
West Bloomfield, MI – 248-851-PAIN (7246)

Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Why Michigan Spine and Pain
    • Our Mission
    • Testimonials
    • Close
  • Physicians & Staff
    • Dr. Marvin Bleiberg
    • Dr. Herman Ruiz
    • Stuart A. Firsten, DC
    • Dr. Brian Emrys, D.C.
    • Amy McDonald, MSPT
    • Adam Wilson, PA
    • Shara Wohlscheid, PA-C
    • Close
  • Real Pain, Real Solutions
    • Diagnosis
      • Spinal Stenosis
      • Herniated Disc / Bulging Disc / Protruding Disc
      • Cervical / Neck Pain
      • Degenerative Disc Disease
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Headaches
      • Hip Pain
      • Low Back Pain
      • Knee Pain
    • Treatment
      • Chiropractic Treatment
      • Acupuncture
      • Physical Therapy
      • Spinal Decompression Therapy
      • ExoMind
      • Comprehensive Multi Specialty Pain Relief
      • Interventional Procedures
      • High Power Therapy/Photobiomodulation
      • Technology
      • Patient Care
    • Close
  • Resources and Forms
    • Patient Portal
    • Pay My Bill
    • Care Credit
    • No Surprises Act
    • Request Medical Records
    • Close
  • Locations
    • West Bloomfield
    • Mt. Pleasant
    • Close
  • Contact Us

Invisible Pain and Society Reactions

Oftentimes there is lifestyle difficulty that comes with chronic pain.  People have difficulty with the expectations put upon them in society, and they also have to deal with their personal pain and suffering.

Many are taught to push aside illness and to “grin and bare it,” especially when the problem is not visible to the outside world.  We often deal with invisible sources of pain—at least to the naked eye. A person suffering with chronic pain may look completely healthy to the outside world, yet be suffering terribly.  Additionally, pain levels are not always static; one day may bring terrible pain and the next may be tolerable or very little.  Sometimes it is one activity versus a different activity that causes a variance in pain.

There are many stories of isolation due to pain.  Both physical isolation because of physical limitations and emotional isolation. Often a patient becomes isolated or depressed because their non-visible pain is mocked, or disregarded by family, friends and associates.

People may have the best of intentions, however in the general population, the concept of pain is one that is caused by an illness or injury, and then dissipates when the patient is cured or healed. This is not the case with chronic pain sufferers. Their pain may not leave and may worsen. This seems illogical to people and it may cause them to be insensitive.

Furthermore, neither age, nor race, nor socioeconomic status is a determinant of chronic pain.  Anyone may suffer, although society tends to expect certain populations, such as the elderly, to be those typically suffering with pain.

We can help anyone with their pain related problems.  At Michigan Spine and Pain we have a tremendous amount of resources to help patients with pain that is chronic, visible, invisible….anything.  Let us help you reduce your pain.  Call us anytime at 800-586-7992 or contact us HERE.

Filed Under: Chronic Pain, Depression, News Tagged With: chronic pain, depression and pain, invisible pain

Depression and Pain

by Sander van der Well

photo by Sander van der Well

Those of us who suffer chronic pain (pain that does not ease after 3 months’ duration) are at increased risk for developing depression.

Depression is misunderstood by many. Depression is not a character flaw or weakness. Depression is real and it can be as debilitating as the chronic pain that preceded it. We have seen with the death of Robin Williams, that depression, when treated improperly, can be life-threatening.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness (DSM-V), depression is considered major or often termed clinical when it lasts for at least two weeks and when its symptoms are present daily. The symptoms include the following, five of which should be present in the case of a diagnosis of depression.

  • An overall feeling of sadness and hopelessness, irritability and recurrent crying spells
  • Significant changes in appetite resulting in either weight loss or weight gain
  • Major changes in sleep patterns, typically a desire to sleep all the time or an inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep
  • Restlessness or agitation, or complete lack of energy
  • Little or no energy or attention for the activities that used to entertain us or bring us joy
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Feelings or worthlessness, overwhelming guilt feelings
  • Inability to concentrate or remember big or little things
  • Thoughts of death, suicide, or wishing to be dead, fantasizing about funeral and the aftermath of our death

Dealing with chronic pain requires a team approach. There must be attention paid to the physical nature of your complaints, appropriate therapy must be administered, any medication must be prescribed and adjusted when necessary and constantly monitored for effectiveness as well as side effects. In addition, the mental aspect of pain must be addressed. Patients must avoid saying to themselves, “If I could just get rid of this pain, I’m sure my mental status would improve.” Instead, patients need to be honest with their care providers about the nature of their depression: their moods, the duration of their depression, what their thought processes are, and particularly if they are considering hurting themselves.

Depression, in and of itself, is not always easy to treat. But patients who are already receiving medical care for pain relief are at least part of the medical community and are often open to the treatments that work for depression, combined with chronic pain. These include:

  • Medication to alleviate severe depression.
  • Avoidance of triggers of chronic pain, which can in turn, increase depression.
  • Cognizance of lifestyle choices that contribute to depression, including alcohol and substance abuse, high stress activities, close proximity to difficult or even abusive people
  • Increased physical activity when possible, including endorphin-producing cardiovascular activity, stretching, and light walking.
  • Meditation and breathing exercises.

Filed Under: Back Pain, Headaches, Healthy Living Tagged With: depression and pain, Robin Williams

Real People, Real Relief

Getting you back to your active life: that is the philosophy that Michigan Spine & Pain follows. Read more.

  • images (1)
  • images (2)
  • images (3)
  • images (4)
  • images (5)
  • images (6)
  • images
  • MISP_Blog-3_ID-No._94983727-1
  • 109709590_3239691509407631_2736773273530187624_n

Real Relief

  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Herniated / Bulging / Protruding Disc
  • Cervical / Neck Pain
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Headaches
  • Hip Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • view all

Real Solutions

  • Pain Relief
  • Interventional Procedures
  • Chiropractic Treatment
  • Physical Therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Patient Care
  • Technology
  • view all
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Locations

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
2935 Health Parkway., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

West Bloomfield, Michigan
6079 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Privacy Policy

Our Sister Company

Copyright © 2025 Michigan Spine & Pain | Managed by Access Technology