What you learn along the way: reasons to be thankful for pain

Pain is something that everyone goes through at some point in their life, whether it’s short-term pain or long-term, chronic pain. No one likes it, and we all want it to go away. It’s our mission at Southside Pain Specialists to help you manage pain as much as possible with a variety of approaches so you can lead a full life. 

While we may not always be able to eliminate pain completely, there are so many ways that we can manage it. This fact alone is something to be thankful for. But that’s not it. 

Reasons to be thankful for pain #1: your amazing body

Remember that pain is a signal from your body. It’s how your body can tell you that something is wrong. It’s really amazing that are bodies have this way to communicate with us. While we have many tools that can help us treat pain, such as medications, surgeries, procedures, supplements, massage, exercise, yoga, and more, our bodies are often able to do a lot to heal on their own. 

When we put all of this together, we can go a long way in managing pain, which we should all  be thankful for. 

Reasons to be thankful for pain #2: you can learn gratitude

Being thankful for pain will probably require a completely different way of thinking. This can understandably be difficult. You probably hate the pain you experience and how it negatively affects your life. But, in the midst of that, have you really stopped to think about the good that has come from it? Maybe the pain you’ve experienced led to an important diagnosis for your health. Maybe the process of managing your pain allowed you to address other areas of your life where you needed to improve your health. Eating healthier, exercising more, doing yoga, practicing mindfulness meditation, and more are not only good for pain management, they are good for your overall well-being.

Studies show that practicing gratitude even when it’s more difficult to find things to be thankful for can have a huge effect on not only your mental health, but also on your physical health. Being grateful no matter what and having a positive attitude is critical to your overall pain management strategy.

Reasons to be thankful for pain #3: your support system

When you are dealing with pain, it can be easy to overlook things in your life that you take as givens, such as your family, regular income, and insurance. Without these things, pain management would be much more difficult, and maybe even impossible. Don’t overlook these essentials in your life or forget to be thankful for them.

When it comes to the people in your life who support you, be sure you actually tell them thank you. Say it out loud and don’t assume that they know you are grateful for them.

How to practice gratitude for pain

We often recommend that patients keep a pain journal, but just as important is a gratitude journal. Maybe this is a part of your pain journal, or maybe it’s a separate journal. It can take any form that you like — written in a notebook, typed on your laptop, or quick notes made in your phone. You could write down three things you are grateful for each day, make a longer list at the end of the week, or just write down thoughts whenever they come to you. 

Also remember that this gratitude journal does not have to be related to pain only. Write down all the things in your life you are thankful for: your morning cup of coffee, going for a short walk, playing outside with your kids, your pet, your loved ones, and more. 

When you make peace with your pain and change your mindset, you will likely see that there is a lot to be thankful for. Be thankful that your body is communicating with you and that we have so many measures to take for pain management. 

Southside Pain Specialists is your one-stop shop for pain management

With a multitude of pain relief options tailored to your specific needs, Southside Pain Specialists follow the standards of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, The American Board of Pain Medicine and the International Spinal Injection Society and works hard to provide patients comprehensive, caring pain relief when they need it most. Check out our website or contact us today at 205.332.3155 to learn more.