What to Do If Your Doctor Doesn't Listen to You

You don't have to put up with a doctor who doesn't listen or doesn't believe what you say.

It's usually straightforward to change doctors.

In this, the third and final instalment from Amy Orr we talk about what to do if your doctor doesn't listen to you.

This can be a real problem for people with chronic pain conditions.

Amy has some very down-to-earth and practical advice for you if you find yourself in this situation.

“You definitely don't have to just sit with a person who doesn't believe you or doesn't trust you or is telling you that your experience is false”

It's usually difficult to pin down the exact cause of chronic back pain.

In the absence of an easily identifiable illness or injury, you may find that your doctor is rather dissmissive and doesn't really listen to you.

Many people get the feeling that their doctor just doesn't believe them especially in the wake of the Opioid Crisis.

These days, doctors have to follow strict guidelines to prevent the misuse of pain relief medication.

While long term use of painkillers is best avoided if at all possible, this shouldn't lead to a breakdown of trust between you and your doctor.

When you are suffering chronic pain, a good relationship with your GP or consultant is essential.

Stay tuned to find out what to do if you are not getting the support you want from your doctor.

How to Retrain Your Nervous System

Also in today's episode we talk about how to retrain your nervous system to shift your attention away from pain and towards more pleasant feelings and associations.

Amy says that “Maintaining positive stimuli helps reduce pain. So it's teaching your body that things can feel good.”

Quote of the Day

Which Nobel Prize winning author who saw combat in both world wars said

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”

Hear the answer at the end of today's show

Show notes at www.backpainliberation.com/episode40

Music courtesy: Jahzzar www.betterwithmusic.com/

Photos by National Cancer Institute and David Pennington on Unsplash

This content is for your information only. Consult your own doctor for medical advice.

Any guests express their own views and no endorsement by the Back Pain Liberation Podcast is implied.