Health

Pain-Free New Year

Published

4 years ago

December 15, 2020

Chronic pain can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, millions of Americans suffer from pain caused by various ailments every year, which affects their life quality and ability to perform daily tasks. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer from pain every year. You can do some activities to help you lessen the pain and focus more on the things you love.

Here are some things to do to have a pain-free new year.

1. Learn Meditation Techniques

Good meditation techniques, coupled with deep breathing, can help your body relax and ease your pain. This duo loosens the tightness that’s in the muscles and sends them a message to relax. You can engage in various meditation ways, though the common one is by repeating some phrases in your mind. As you repeat those phrases, ensure that you ignore your thoughts and focus on your breathing. Taking a meditation class can also help you grasp meditation techniques well.

Deep breathing is also an excellent companion to meditation. Like meditation, it can help you to relax your muscles. However, to effectively practice this technique, you need to assume a comfortable body position, get a quiet location, and block out destructive thoughts. After doing that, take deep breaths that will fill your abdomen with air, then exhale it out like a deflating balloon.

2. Minimize Stress

Negative feelings such as anxiety, depression, anger, and stress, makes the body more sensitive to pain. Managing your stress can help you find relief from pain. Some techniques to minimize stress and promote relaxation include listening to soothing music and taking a walk. You can also purchase specially designed relaxation CDs or use mental guided imagery to calm your mind. The activities you engage in to minimize stress should relax your muscles and make your mind peaceful.

3. Exercise

Exercise is vital because it stimulates the brain to produce endorphins, which block pain signals and enhance mood. Exercise can also strengthen your muscle and reduce your chances of injury and feeling pain.

If you have diabetes, obesity, or heart disease, exercise can help you mitigate them. However, if you’re diabetic or neuropathic, you need to be careful about the type of exercises you engage in. It’s advisable to consult your doctor and ask him or her the types of physical activities that can fit your body.

4. Join Support Groups

Copying with pain alone can be quite difficult. That’s why most patients suffering from pain are advised to join support groups to meet with other people who’re also experiencing pain. Being in such a group and learning how to cope with pain from others who experience a similar situation can reduce pain.

It would be best to meet with a mental health professional because excruciating pain often leads to depression. If you’re counseled by a professional, you’ll learn how to cope better and avoid negative thoughts that worsen the pain. Having a healthier attitude and asking for help can strengthen you during your journey.

Conclusion

Tolerating pain isn’t easy if you don’t know what to do to lessen it. However, if you know the right activities to engage in, you’ll find coping with pain easier and may even reduce its impact on your life.

Website – https://kimpain.com/

Health

Dr. Raghu Athré: Beyond the Surface: The Mind-Skin Connection in Aesthetic Medicine

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

Michelle Langton

Before becoming one of the most sought-after facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Raghu Athré’s academic journey began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. His deep-rooted passion for understanding how things work—both functionally and aesthetically—laid the foundation for his career in plastic surgery. For Dr. Athré, the parallels between engineering and surgery are unmistakable: both require precision, analysis, attention to detail, and strategic problem-solving.

Dr. Athré’s expertise extends beyond surgical precision. He recognizes that beauty is not just skin deep—stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being play critical roles in dermatological and aesthetic concerns. This understanding has led him to explore the field of psychodermatology, a specialty that examines the powerful connection between mental health and skin conditions.

“Psychodermatology has become a buzzword ever since a strong relationship was shown between acne patients and depression.” said Dr. Athré. “To treat these patients effectively, physicians must address both the patient’s acne and depression simultaneously for optimal results. This highlights the connection between how we look and how we feel.”

A similar trend is evident among many of Dr. Athré’s facial rejuvenation patients. Unscripted patient interviews reveal that patients feel more awake, alert, confident, and self-assured after surgery. This pattern is also observed in many rhinoplasty patients, who often change how they engage with the world post-surgery due to increased self-confidence. These observations underscore the importance of a holistic approach to patient care in contemporary aesthetic medicine.

What is Psychodermatology?

Psychodermatology examines the intricate relationship between the mind and skin, focusing on how psychological stress and emotional well-being directly influence skin health. Conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even premature aging have been linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This field bridges dermatology with psychological and emotional care, offering a more holistic approach to skincare and aesthetic treatments.

The mind-skin connection becomes particularly evident when a patient’s emotional state exacerbates or triggers skin conditions. For example, stress-induced acne breakouts are a common issue, as the body’s response to emotional stress can lead to hormonal fluctuations, which in turn affect the skin. Similarly, individuals battling with anxiety or depression may experience worsened symptoms of psoriasis or eczema, as emotional distress can amplify the immune response.

An Approach to Aesthetic and Skin Wellness

The rise of psychodermatology marks a shift in how both patients and healthcare providers approach skin conditions. Instead of viewing the skin as merely a surface to treat, psychodermatology emphasizes the importance of emotional and psychological health in the overall management of skin conditions. Patients dealing with skin issues are encouraged to address their emotional well-being as part of their skincare regimen, fostering not just physical but mental health in tandem.

This field also highlights the importance of treating the patient as a whole person rather than focusing solely on external beauty. While cosmetic procedures can improve physical appearance, psychodermatology helps ensure that patients are also given the tools to support their mental health, which plays a key role in maintaining long-term skin wellness.

Bridging Aesthetics, Science, and Mental Well-Being

As the understanding of psychodermatology continues to grow, there is increasing recognition of the need to treat mental health concerns in conjunction with skin conditions. Innovative treatments are emerging that combine dermatological care with psychological interventions, offering patients an integrated approach to wellness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices, for example, can be used alongside traditional dermatological treatments to reduce stress and improve skin health.

The future of aesthetic medicine is poised to be more inclusive, recognizing that true beauty encompasses not just a person’s outward appearance but their emotional and mental well-being as well. As psychodermatology continues to evolve, it offers the potential to transform how we approach skin care, focusing not just on the exterior but on the holistic well-being of the individual.

By merging the science of dermatology with the psychology of the mind, psychodermatology provides a groundbreaking approach to skincare—one that is as much about healing the mind as it is about enhancing the skin.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raghu Athré, visit https://www.athrefacialplastics.com/facial-surgery/facial-rejuvenation/ or call 281-214-9324