At the age of 16, Keith Meldrum suffered a life-threatening car accident on a rural highway in British Columbia, Canada. As the car rolled off the road, his seatbelt caused significant internal damage. Witnesses called for help and, luckily, Keith made it to the nearest trauma center within an hour. He underwent his first operation, lasting six hours, where surgeons attempted to repair what they could.
“That was the start of one surgery after the next,” Keith explained to an audience of physicians during a pain management workshop hosted by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). “All I knew is that I hurt all the time. I’d deal with the pain for a while. Then I’d have breakthrough pain and end up in the emergency room where I’d get a shot or a nerve block injection, but nothing ever worked,” he said. “But it seemed important to keep trying.”
The Importance of National Pain Awareness Month
For the 50 million patients who are living with relentless chronic pain in the United States, years of attempting to find a medical solution can be profoundly discouraging. That is why Family Integrative Medicine is such a vocal advocate of National Pain Awareness Month, which is observed every year in September. This year, the theme for National Pain Awareness Month focuses on increasing the awareness of clinicians, scientists and the general public about how to support those living with pain. Beyond the discomfort itself, these patients often suffer from additional and related conditions, such as depression, anxiety and distress. According to Keith, the biggest support anyone can give is to simply say: I believe you. “I can’t describe the power of those words. I didn’t hear them until 2004. And it was the first time that a doctor acknowledged that my pain was real,” he said. “That was the gateway so I could start helping myself.” To an individual who is coping with these conditions, the path forward may seem unclear or overwhelming. The great news is that, with support from the right professionals, it is possible to find relief and achieve a better quality of life. For patients like Keith, our caring professionals work hard to support patients with chronic pain and other painful conditions from our medical clinics in Central Florida. Family Integrative Medicine uses Responsible Pain Management TM to help our patients become active participants in managing their pain. We know it hurts – we believe you – and we want to help. It starts by considering all aspects of your chronic pain diagnosis and how it has impacted your daily life. By taking the time to listen and understand your unique needs as an individual, our compassionate team can design a personalized plan to manage your pain and support your healing journey.How Does Medical Massage Therapy Help in Managing Pain during Pain Awareness Month?
Medical massage therapy benefits for pain management are numerous and can be especially helpful during Pain Awareness Month. This type of therapy effectively targets specific areas of pain and discomfort, providing relief and improved mobility. By incorporating various techniques like deep tissue massage and myofascial release, medical massage therapy helps reduce inflammation, release muscle tension, and promote relaxation, leading to enhanced overall well-being.
