Many Americans downplay pain as a normal and inevitable part of getting older. However, chronic pain is on the rise and it’s not necessarily related to normal aging. According to the National Institute of Health, chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States.

Unfortunately, chronic pain is often misunderstood and can prevent you from living your best life. Let’s cover five common myths about chronic pain and the truths behind them.

Myth #1. Pain is a natural part of aging.

There is some pain that comes with age but it’s more related to wear and tear on the body. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is usually due to an illness or injury and may be linked to back pain, arthritis, headaches, nerve pain and some cancers.

So how can one tell the difference between normal, age-related pain and chronic pain? “Growing pains” come and go and generally include symptoms like stiffness, soreness and aching. Chronic pain is persistent and carries on after an illness or injury, usually for 12 weeks or more.

Myth #2. It’s best to tough out the pain.

There is absolutely no reason to tough out your pain. Admitting you need help is not a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of strength. With so many treatments available, a pain management doctor can find something that works for you. Modern treatments focus on managing pain and include therapies like steroid injections, stem cell injections, PRP injections and exercise.

Myth #3. You can injure yourself more if you exercise.

We’ve all heard stories of someone exercising to lose weight or get healthy and they injure themselves. But this doesn’t mean that exercise is bad for you, even if you’re living in daily pain.

Light to moderate exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress, improve blood flow and oxygen to the muscles and boost the mood. As a result, people experience reduced levels of pain. With so many types of exercises out there, you can easily find something you enjoy.

Myth #4. Pain with no known cause is in the person’s head.

Sadly, many people assume that if the pain can’t be seen, it’s not real. Chronic pain is very real but sometimes the exact cause is unknown to doctors.

Because pain is different for everyone, more pain management doctors are shifting to alternative therapies instead of pain pills. This way, they can help their patients get out of pain and lead happier, healthier lives.

Myth #5. Dwelling on the pain won’t make it worse.

The mind is very powerful. Chronic pain often comes with emotional suffering, which in turn worsens the physical pain. This is one of the reasons why a whole-body approach is so important. Rather than simply numbing the pain, alternative therapies teach people how to manage their pain while leading a full and active lifestyle.

Jersey Rehab is a pain management center that works with all types of conditions. We have a number of treatments, including stem cell injections, steroid injections and PRP injections. Contact us today at one of our three locations for an appointment.