The hidden cost of chronic pain: What it steals and how to take it back

The hidden cost of chronic pain is everything it steals.

It takes your energy. Your hobbies. Your ability to show up for the people you love. It can cloud your mood, drain your finances, and even make you question who you are.

“Chronic pain affects every part of someone’s life,” says Mindy Devaney, a nurse practitioner with Intermountain Health Connect Care Pain Management. “Emotionally, socially, financially. You start to grieve who you used to be.”

This Pain Awareness Month, Intermountain Health is shining a light on what chronic pain takes and how to help people take it back. With expanded access through virtual care, and a team-based approach that treats the whole person, we’re making compassionate, innovative pain management more accessible than ever.

Chronic pain affects more than just your body

For millions of adults, pain doesn’t go away after rest or recovery. It lingers, and in doing so, reshapes nearly every part of daily life.

“It’s a loss of self,” Mindy says. “You kind of grieve who you used to be. And now you’re isolated in your home, because that physical activity is no longer attainable.”

That kind of loss shows up in more ways than one:

• Emotionally: Chronic pain is closely linked with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and stress.
• Socially: Pain can limit your ability to participate in outings, hobbies, and relationships – often leading to isolation and loneliness.
• Financially: Between treatment costs, missed work, and lifestyle adjustments like assistive devices or home modifications, long-term pain can create long-term strain.

These burdens often go unseen by providers, employers, and even loved ones. But they’re very real for people living with pain every day.

When you can’t see it, people stop believing it

Chronic pain is often misunderstood because it’s invisible. And when something isn’t visible, it’s easy for others to minimize or dismiss it.

“There's a lot of stigma that still exists about chronic pain,” Mindy says. “Some people, especially older providers, might say it's in your head.”

This misunderstanding can take many forms:

• Providers who downplay symptoms or hesitate to refer for treatment.
• Family or friends who say “you were fine yesterday” when pain flares up.
• Workplaces that don’t accommodate fluctuating abilities.
• Cultural norms that discourage people – especially women or people of color – from expressing pain.

Even patients themselves internalize these messages. “We hear things like, ‘I guess this is just aging,’” Mindy says. “But no. Pain is not something you just have to live with.”

Real relief comes from treating the whole person

At Intermountain Health, we know there’s no single fix for chronic pain. That’s why we take an interdisciplinary approach – addressing pain from every angle: medical, physical, emotional, and behavioral.

Our approach includes:

• Medical care and safe medication management
• Physical therapy and guided movement plans
• Behavioral health support to build coping skills and emotional resilience
• Nutrition counseling and education on pain and lifestyle
• Interventional pain referrals for procedures like injections or blocks 

Our teams coordinate care because we believe you shouldn’t have to bounce between clinics or start from scratch at every visit. 

With Connect Care Pain Management, adults in Utah can now access this interdisciplinary model virtually with services coming soon to Colorado and Montana.

It’s as simple as:

1. Scheduling a secure video visit from your phone or computer
2. Sharing your pain story and goals with a pain management specialist
3. Getting a personalized plan that works for your life

“We hear people say, ‘I didn’t think I could get help without leaving home,’” Mindy says. “But we’re making that possible.”

Your brain can help you feel better

Chronic pain is not “just in your head.” But your brain plays a major role in how pain is felt and processed.

“The same place in your brain that feels anxiety and depression, it’s the same part of the brain that also perceives your pain,” Mindy says. “So when you treat both, people start to feel better.”

That’s why behavioral health is a key part of pain care at Intermountain Health. It gives you tools to manage how pain affects your thoughts, mood, and daily life.

Here’s how it helps:

Reduce pain-related anxiety

Living with chronic pain can be scary, especially when you don’t know what’s causing it or when it might flare up. Therapy helps you understand those feelings, manage worry, and feel more in control of your pain.

Improve sleep

Pain often leads to poor sleep, and poor sleep makes pain feel worse. Behavioral health providers can teach strategies like sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, and thought reframing to help you rest more easily.

Break the cycle of fear-avoidance 

When movement causes pain, it’s natural to avoid it. But over time, avoiding activity can make you weaker and increase discomfort. We help you reintroduce movement safely and rebuild confidence in your body.

Build confidence to stay active 

With support, you can learn to move through pain. That means finding ways to return to the activities you love, at your pace, and with the tools you need to succeed.

At Intermountain Health, we treat the whole person. That starts by listening, collaborating, and tailoring care to what matters most.

There’s more to life than what pain takes away

Sometimes pain goes away. Other times, it sticks around but becomes more manageable with the right tools. Either way, it’s possible to rebuild a life of purpose, joy, and connection.

“Celebrate the little victories,” Mindy says. “Like today, I went on the treadmill for five minutes, but before, I couldn’t even walk down the hall because of my hip pain."

Reclaiming your life might mean:

• Adapting your hobbies instead of abandoning them
• Learning new ways to move your body
• Asking for help without guilt
• Creating structure in your day
• Saying yes to what still brings you joy

And above all: being kind to yourself through the process.

Better pain care is possible – and closer than you think

Pain might be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your future.

At Intermountain Health, we believe in giving patients the tools, support, and care they need to reclaim their quality of life. Through Connect Care Pain Management, adults in Utah, Colorado, Montana and beyond can access expert pain care from the comfort of home – backed by a whole-person approach that blends physical, emotional, and behavioral support.

This Pain Awareness Month, let’s tackle chronic pain together and help you take back what pain has tried to steal.