Three out of ten people in America suffer from chronic pain. This pain is defined as a feeling that persists for more than three months, is prevalent throughout much of the day, How can I manage my chronic pain? and gets in the way of day-to-day life.
Chronic pain can be caused by injury or illness, as well as sustained physical or emotional stress. How can I manage my chronic pain?
This pain is experienced in different ways depending on the person, and many outside factors can worsen it.
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Chronic pain is a constant battle that takes physical and emotional tolls.
If you suffer from chronic pain, it’s best to look into advanced pain management to help improve your quality of life. Though some pain can be quelled by medication or other medical treatments, there are things you can do on your own to help alleviate it.
Keep Moving
Staying stationary can invite more pain. Talk to your doctor about a safe exercise regimen to employ daily.
This can be as simple as gentle stretching every morning, or can go as far as lifting a safe amount of weight as part of a routine.
Exercise maintains mobility, keeping joints functioning and muscles active.
It also prevents disuse syndrome, which weakens muscles and makes them more susceptible to pain and additional injury.
Exercise produces endorphins, a chemical that improves mood while blocking pain signals.
Consider Alternative Treatments
Sometimes medicines work well, and other times it simply takes the edge off. You can couple medication with alternative treatments to provide a well-rounded way of dealing with the pain.
This can include massage therapy, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, or energy work like Reiki.
Remove Stressors
Stress can add to your pain and you may not even realize it. Things that trigger feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger should be removed where possible. If it’s not possible, learn ways to cope with these feelings.
Managing stress can include meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness. These techniques relax muscles, washing away tightness.
They also help with the mind, which can often have a tight grip on your stress levels.
Pay Attention to What You’re Putting Into Your Body
What you eat and drink can affect chronic pain.
Alcohol can often interrupt sleep, and a lack of rest will contribute to worsening pain.
Smoking worsens circulation problems and also puts the individual at risk of heart disease and cancer.
If you are easily irritated by foods like dairy or gluten, avoid them when you can so your body can feel its best.
Keep Track
Maintain a journal that denotes your pain at the start and finish of each day, and takes into account what you’ve done during that day.
After a while you may find a pattern, identifying specific triggers that worsen your pain. You may also discover what makes you feel better.
You can learn from these experiences and make an everyday pain management plan based on them.
Connect with Others
You are not alone in your chronic pain. There are many support groups available, be it online or in-person.
Chatting with people who have similar experiences can help you talk about your frustrations, and possibly find new solutions for or methods of coping with pain.
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