A new research project indicates that there might be a much stronger link between chronic pain and the development of anxiety than what was once thought. Although this link has been known for quite some time, researchers now believe that they have an understanding of the brain mechanism that leads to this connection.
Researchers found that chronic pain eventually caused neuronal pathways in mice to change, and have now identified the circuit that this takes place within. Because this is now identifiable, it provides doctors with more precise methods of treating it.
This research was conducted on mice and found that chronic pain often led to maladaptive anxiety within the mice. And although this link makes a lot of sense, it now has some big implications for getting people help when they are dealing with chronic pain. Guiding people that are suffering from pain on an ongoing basis toward counseling and other treatment methods may be far more helpful than just treating the pain itself. In the past, this has proven to be problematic. A joint approach, targeting both pain management and mental health may be a lot more effective.
Researchers have identified the link between chronic pain and anxiety.
This research was conducted by a team based out of Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. They published their findings in the journal, Science Advances. There’s been a lot of research done recently regarding pain and better ways to resolve it, but there’s still a lot more work to do. Hopefully, this research acts as a stepping stone for future researchers.
When a loved one is dealing with chronic pain, helping them out can be a challenge. Providing assistance as a family caregiver is possible in a lot of cases, though. Furthermore, your older parent or grandparent probably greatly appreciates being able to stay where they have been living and continue to live their lives the way that they wish.
If more help is needed beyond family care, there are options available out there, too. Whether it’s in-home care, respite help, or the assistance of an assisted living facility or a nursing home, there are plenty of professional services that can help make your loved one’s senior years a little bit better.
There are resources out there to help, regardless of whether your loved one is dealing with chronic pain, mental illness, or anything else. Knowing where to start your search is half the battle. If you’re not familiar with what’s out there in your community, one of the best places to start is at the county level. Most counties across the country, regardless of your state, have some sort of program in place to help the elderly. And if your county doesn’t, they will at least be able to point you in the right direction.
Beyond that, getting connected with a strong care team is the most important thing you can do. A great care service, connection to doctors and counselors, and more all starts with selecting the right team.
We’d love to be a part of that team for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to talk more. We look forward to hearing from you!
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