This article explores experiencing and managing pain as a healthcare worker.
Healthcare workers often find themselves in a unique position of caring for others while our needs languish. Unfortunately, this self-neglect can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. One common symptom of such exhaustion is pain — healthcare workers must learn to recognize and manage if they want to continue providing the best care possible.
The Impact of Trauma on Pain Management
Healthcare workers are regularly exposed to traumatic events like death, violence, natural disasters, accidents, or abuse. These events can leave lasting effects on our mental health, which can then manifest themselves as physical or emotional pain. We need to recognize these symptoms and take steps toward managing them before they become debilitating.
Physical Pain
Physical pain is the most common symptom of burnout among healthcare workers. It can manifest in various ways — from headaches or neck pain due to long hours hunched over computer screens to back pain resulting from lifting or carrying patients. To prevent or manage physical pain, healthcare workers must maintain good posture while on the job and take regular breaks throughout their shifts. Additionally, stretching and other exercise forms can help reduce muscle tension caused by long hours spent on your feet.
Mental/Emotional Pain
Mental and emotional exhaustion can be just as debilitating as physical fatigue — if not more so — and is often overlooked by healthcare workers who are focused only on their physical ailments. Mental/emotional exhaustion can manifest itself through feelings of guilt, stress, anger, sadness, or loss of motivation. In particular, women make up most of the healthcare workforce, which means that statistically, women are more at risk of experiencing sickness, pain, and mental distress from their work. As a result, women should be particularly aware of any pain they are feeling.
To combat these feelings, healthcare workers must set boundaries between themselves and their patients; constantly remind themselves why they chose this profession; get plenty of sleep; practice yoga or meditation; seek out counseling services; and talk openly with colleagues about how they’re feeling.
Pain Management Strategies
The first step towards managing your pain is recognizing it. Take time each day for self-reflection so you can become aware of your physical and mental state. Meditation, journaling, or even just taking a few minutes of quiet time will help you check in with yourself and allow you to notice any changes in your body or mind that may be related to trauma or stress.
Once you’ve identified your pain, there are several strategies you can use to manage it. Exercise is one way; regular exercise releases endorphins which reduce stress levels and increase energy and focus. Other strategies include talking with friends or family members about what you’re experiencing, engaging in hobbies that make you feel relaxed such as reading or watching movies, utilizing breathing techniques to calm down during stressful moments, and getting adequate sleep every night (at least 7 hours).
The life of a healthcare worker is one filled with tremendous responsibility — both for oneself and for the well-being of those under one’s care. This means that we must stay mindful of our own needs to remain healthy enough to provide the best care possible for our patients. Recognizing when we are experiencing physical or mental/emotional pain due to exhaustion is a crucial first step in managing such pains so that we may continue serving others with excellence!
Published by International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog, Team iPain
