Dr Amir Khan told his followers on social media: ‘You’re not imagining this’
A doctor has shared vital health advice, reassuring patients that “you’re not imagining this”. Dr Amir Khan has offered essential guidance for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
In a video posted on Instagram, the ITV regular recognised that sufferers may feel their condition isn’t being taken seriously, particularly when symptoms aren’t visibly “visible”.
In the video’s caption, Dr Amir stated: “I always say I learn from my patients and here are five things my patients with chronic pain have taught me.” He continued in the video: “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’.”
His first point offered reassurance that people are “not imagining this”, stating: “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 generally defined as discomfort lasting longer than three months in one or more parts of the body. The root cause isn’t always apparent, but it may stem from an injury that hasn’t healed correctly, ongoing health conditions, changes to the nervous system, or psychological factors such as stress, depression, or emotional trauma.
It cannot always be controlled through medication and can cause enduring disruption to everyday activities, routines and responsibilities, alongside ongoing fatigue and low mood. Continuing with his list, Dr Amir highlighted additional vital considerations for those affected to remember.
“Number two – it’s okay to grieve your old life,” he said. “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.”
What the NHS says
According to the NHS website, long-term pain stems from various causes, including arthritis, back problems, previous injuries, illness or nerve damage. If you’ve been experiencing pain for longer than 12 weeks, it recommends consulting your GP.
The GP may:
- 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 states: “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 could also be referred for complementary therapy to establish whether that assists with the pain.
Further guidance is available from organisations including Action on Pain, the British Pain Society, and Pain Concern.
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