Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance. If you suffer from chronic pain and find yourself in constant discomfort and agony, there are several pain management techniques you can try. Regardless of the cause or source, here are five tips for coping with chronic pain and discomfort.
1. Keep Moving
Sure, remaining active while dealing with chronic pain is probably the last thing on your mind. Most people that have chronic pain, find a way to manage with it over time. This means finding certain positions that are more comfortable than others, sitting a certain way while driving, or finding alternative means to do things that don’t aggravate the pain source. But it’s also important to work through some of the pain and continue engaging in physical activity. Exercising with chronic pain doesn’t mean hitting the gym vigorously, running or even engaging in intense cardio. It simply means remaining active in some form or another.
Not becoming sedentary. This helps with not just your physical condition but mental as well (more on that later). Try walking up and down the stairs in your house, keeping a straight, even back and proper posture. Low impact exercises and light weight lifting or using a resistance band will help keep other areas of your body mobile and functioning properly. These movement may even loosen up tense areas and help relieve some pressure and pain at the source.
2. Try Different Forms of Therapy
Depending on your condition and the cause of your pain, physical therapy can be extremely beneficial. Try performing at home stretches and exercises. Most doctors will gladly provide you will information and sample exercises to try at home. You can do them at your own pace and comfort level. Some doctors may order you to receive physical therapy in an office or rehabilitation facility. But it’s also important to note that this isn’t the only form of therapy that can help treat pain symptoms.
Engaging in creative activities like painting, sculpting, ceramics or anything else you find soothing, is a great form of therapy. It will help you to relax both your mind and body and provide an escape from your state of chronic pain, even if it’s only for a brief period of time. There are also alternative medicines and more holistic approaches for treating chronic pain. These include the use of CBD oils, acupuncture, vitamins, supplements, and hypnosis.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
When it comes to pain, sometimes, perception is everything. Keeping a positive mind frame can help you deal with your pain better. Both meditation and mindfulness help patients more closely connect with their mind and body, focusing on the good and ridding themselves of negativity. Meditation and mindfulness won’t eliminate your pain but it will help to change your perception of the pain.
Another practice that is great for both your spiritual and physical condition is yoga. Yoga focuses a lot on the mind and body connection, centering oneself, and zoning out the negativity and feelings of pain and discomfort. Plus, yoga promotes and fosters improved flexibility and mobility, which can greatly benefit pain sufferers. Just be sure to move slowly through the movements and at your own pace.
4. Massage and Chiropractic Care
Both massage and chiropractic care can do wonders for those suffering from chronic pain. Massage therapy is a gentler, more soothing practice and is often used to ease sore and tense muscles, regardless of where they’re located on the body. Some massage therapists also use scented oils during the massage process, which can add to feelings of calm, peace, and relaxation. If your pain originates in your neck or back area, visiting a chiropractor can also offer relief.
Chiropractors use manual massage and manipulation with the belief that if the body’s musculoskeletal system is not properly aligned, pain and discomfort will persist. It’s also believed that this proper alignment will allow the body to heal itself naturally, without the need for medication or surgery. Be sure to choose a chiropractor that you’re comfortable with and one that follows your lead in terms of intensity and procedures. The same holds true for the massage therapist you choose.
5. Stay Social
An adverse side effect of living with chronic pain is often isolation and depression. Being in a constant state of discomfort can really wear on a person’s mental state. It’s frustrating and demoralizing when you can’t so much as walk a flight of stairs or turn your head quickly without crying out in pain. If you need a back brace, cane, or other apparatus to help you walk or move more comfortably, this too can be viewed as embarrassing for some chronic pain sufferers. This often results in patients spending more and more time indoors, avoiding large crowds or get-togethers and becoming isolated from friends and family.
Isolation can quickly lead to depression. Some pain sufferers also become paranoid about when bouts of pain might strike and how bad they’ll be, creating anxiety and worry. Try talking to your friends and family about your condition and your concerns. Let them visit you when you’re in pain or allow them to pick you up and drive you places. Getting out of the house and interacting with others will help keep your spirits high, which helps with the overall coping process.Â
Unless you’ve suffered from chronic pain, you likely don’t understand how much it can impact a person’s life. From friendships and social interaction to mindset and overall physical well being, chronic pain is life changing. But there are ways to fight back and cope with the pain. Step one is keeping an open and positive frame of mind. Try different things and see what works best for you. But also, realize that you’re not alone in your fight.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
