Dr Amir Khan tells Brits, 'you are not alone' with this symptom

A doctor has issued vital health guidance, reassuring people that "you're not imagining this". Dr Amir Khan has shared key advice for those struggling with chronic pain. In a clip posted to Instagram , the ITV regular acknowledged that sufferers may feel as though nobody believes them, particularly when their symptoms aren't always "visible". In the video's caption, Dr Amir wrote: "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 pain lasting longer than three months in one or more areas of the body. The root cause isn't always identifiable, but may stem from an unhealed injury, ongoing health conditions, changes to the nervous system, or psychological factors such as stress, depression, or emotional trauma. It cannot always be managed through medication and can bring about lasting disruption to daily activities, routines and responsibilities, along with persistent fatigue and low mood. Continuing through his list, Dr Amir outlined further crucial points for sufferers to bear in mind. "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 continued: "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." 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.