Dr Amir Khan shared advice for anyone living with this chronic issue (Image: Getty)
A doctor has issued important health advice, telling people “you’re not imagining this”. Doctor Amir Khan shared some advice for anyone dealing with chronic pain.
In a video uploaded to social media platform Instagram, the ITV regular acknowledged that it may feel like no one believes you. This can be the case if your symptoms aren’t always “visible”.
Writing in the video’s caption, Dr Amir said: “I always say I learn from my patients and here are five things my patients with chronic pain have taught me.”
Speaking in the video, he continued: “Here are five things I want you to know if you’re living with chronic pain because sometimes you need someone to say, ‘I believe you’.”
Firstly, he reassured people that they’re “not imagining this”. He said: “Number one – you’re not imagining this. Just because your pain isn’t always visible doesn’t mean it’s not real.
“You don’t need to justify it to anyone. Not even to yourself.”
Chronic pain is typically classed as pain that lasts longer than three months in one or more parts of the body. The cause is not always known, but it could be due to an injury not healing, persistent health issues, nervous system changes, or psychological factors like stress, depression, or emotional trauma, among others.
It is not always helped by medicine and can cause lasting changes to activities, routines and roles, as well as feelings of exhaustion and low mood. Carrying on his list, Dr Amir shared other important things to know.
“Number two – it’s okay to grieve your old life. Chronic pain can change your body and your world. It’s human to miss what you could do before, that grief deserves space.
“Number three – you’re still you. Your energy might dip, your plans might change, but your kindness, humour and strength are untouched. You’re still you at your core.
“Number four – this is really important. Rest is not laziness. You’re not giving up. You’re recalibrating, listening to your body isn’t weak, it’s wise.
“And number five, even though it might feel like it, you are not alone. There are millions of others navigating this. You deserve care, understanding, and a community that sees your strength in your struggle.”
He added: “I’ve learnt this from dealing with patients in chronic pain every day at work. So if today, all you did was survive, that’s still worthy and more than enough.”
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What the NHS says
According to the NHS website, long-term pain has many causes, such as arthritis, back problems, an old injury, illness or nerve damage. If you have been struggling with pain for more than 12 weeks, it advises seeking help from your GP.
- Carry out a physical examination
- Discuss your pain history
- Identify where the pain is coming from
- Record your level of pain
- Check for signs of any illness that could be causing your pain or making it worse
- Ask how your pain is affecting your life
The NHS says: “The GP may suggest trying some painkillers for short-term pain relief. However, painkillers are generally not considered a primary way to manage long-term pain.
“If appropriate, the GP may suggest ways for you to stay active, which can help ease pain and improve your general wellbeing.” You may also be referred for complementary therapy to see if that helps with the pain.
You can also get advice from organisations such as Action on Pain, the British Pain Society, and Pain Concern.
