Everyone feels pain from time to time. It is your body's way of telling you that there is something wrong. When the injury heals, the pain goes away. Chronic pain is different. When you are suffering from chronic pain, it lasts for months and even years. According to WebMD, there are several types of chronic pain. A few of the most common sources of chronic pain include:
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Migraine headaches
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Post-surgical pain
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Post-traumatic pain
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Cancer pain
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Pain from arthritis
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Pain associated with nerve damage
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Psychogenic pain that is not associated with any type of injury, disease, or nerve damage
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Back problems
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Fibromyalgia
Chronic pain can make getting through the day difficult. It can also cause you to feel anxious and depressed. There are some people who use prescription painkillers to relieve the pain. The only problem with this is that most prescription painkillers are addicting. If you are suffering from chronic pain and you don't want to take prescription pain medications, there are a few other ways that you can manage and relieve your pain.
Deep Breathing and Meditation Exercises
Meditation and deep breathing can help your body relax which will ease your pain. During meditation, you should focus on your breathing. Also, repeating a word or a phrase over and over will help your body relax. Deep breathing exercises are simple. Start by filling your abdomen up with air and hold it. Next, let the air out slowly similar to the way that a balloon deflates. If you need help, you can take a meditation and deep breathing class.
Start Exercising
When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins. Endorphins are also known as the “feel good” hormone. When your brain releases endorphins it can improve your mood while blocking pain signals. If you are suffering from post-traumatic pain as a result of an injury, exercise can help. When you exercise, your muscles will strengthen. This will prevent you from injuring yourself further.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause circulation problems which can increase your pain, therefore, quitting can be very beneficial. There are a variety of aids that can help you quit such as nicotine patches and gum. There are also medications available to help you quit. If you are considering taking medication to help you quit, you should visit your everyday health care clinic thereafter known as walk-in clinic or clinic to obtain a prescription. Not only will quitting smoking help your pain, it will also reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and it can improve your overall health.
Track Your Activities and Pain Level
The professionals at Orchard Hospital can assist you in your pain management. If you track your daily activities and the way that they affect your pain level, the doctors will get a better understanding of your pain so that they can help in the best way possible.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A well-balanced diet can help you manage your chronic pain. When you start eating healthy, it will help with your digestive process. It can also keep your weight down, improve your blood sugar levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, low-fat dairy products, and cooked dried beans are all foods that you should add to your diet.
Get Enough Sleep
According to the Mayo Clinic, getting enough sleep is very important in managing chronic pain. It is recommended that you get between 7 and 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. A good night's sleep will give you more energy and it can boost your mood. This is very important if your pain is causing you to be depressed. Also, there have been studies that have shown that a lack of sleep can increase inflammation which can make the pain worse.
Massage
If you are suffering from chronic pain, getting a regular massage can help. Getting a massage can be relaxing and it can relieve tension. Multiple studies have shown that massage can help with all types of chronic pain such as neck and back pain and migraine headaches. Also, it can soothe sore muscles resulting from post-traumatic pain.
Stay Active and Busy
A body at rest will stay at rest and a body in motion stays in motion. This is why it is important to try to remain active throughout the day. If you spend most of your time laying in bed or on the couch, the simple task of getting up can be painful. If you stay active, it can help manage your pain. Also, keeping busy can help distract you. If you don't let the pain control your life, it can reduce your chances of becoming depressed.
Reduce Your Stress Level
Stress is a regular part of most people's lives. It can also intensify chronic pain. If you are able to reduce your stress level, you will be able to better manage pain. There are a variety of ways that you can reduce your stress level such as taking a yoga class, taking up a hobby, or by simply doing something that you enjoy.
If you are suffering from chronic pain, it can make normal everyday activities difficult. If you are against taking pain medication and you want to manage and relieve your pain, each of the tips listed above can help. If you need assistance diagnosing the cause of your pain and and want help with your health plan, Contact us at the Medical Specialty Center—Your Everyday Health Care Clinic, to schedule your appointment today.
