Should you Trust your Gut when it Comes to Pain?
Apr 20, 2016
You’ve no doubt heard someone tell you to “go with your gut” when you’re struggling to make a decision. It’s a common piece of advice, and trusting your gut instinct is very helpful in certain situations. So is it a good idea to trust your gut about your pain and medical situation? That’s the topic of today’s patient education article.
Trusting your instincts (or your “gut”) can be a powerful thing. In many situations, your gut instinct can be an incredible force for guiding your decision making. But does that same logic apply to pain conditions and injuries? To a certain extent, yes. Most patients can tell when something is not right with their bodies and it’s a good idea to listen to your gut in these instances and to seek medical help. However, this can get dangerous when a patient believes that they fully understand their condition and self-medicate. It’s best to trust your gut initially to tell you that something is wrong, and then seek expert medical advice.
The fact is that sometimes patients are too close to their own situation to make a completely objective diagnosis of their pain. That’s where a skilled pain management physician can come in, examine your condition without any bias, and talk you through your treatment options. Even medical professionals who experience pain may be unable to make a completely unbiased diagnosis of their condition.
Treating pain conditions requires a strategic approach from a skilled physician. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our providers have over two decades of combined experience treating Minnesotans for all types of patient pain. Our pain management doctors will diagnose your condition and work with you to establish a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. Contact us today to set up your appointment.