Chronic Pain Management Methods
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks. The severity of the pain differs from person to person. It can affect any body part and can be of any intensity from dull to sharp to burning. Chronic pain can be a primary condition or it can be something caused by an injury or illness. One in five adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. It is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. Image Source
Chronic pain has been linked to anxiety disorder, depression and reduced quality of life. So, since chronic pain is a long-term problem, its management becomes important. You can seek medical help from doctors and you can also find clinics that specifically specialise in providing pain relief such as Seattle Pain Relief. Along with medical help, you can also manage chronic pain naturally by integrating a few activities in your lifestyle.
Here are some tips you can follow to reduce the severity of your pain after speaking with your doctor.
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing and meditation helps relax your body which might then help in easing your pain. Both are relaxation techniques that make you focus on your breathing. This will remove the tightness and tension from your body and might manage your pain. You can learn to meditate on your own or you can also enrol in a class to learn how to do it properly.
Exercise
Exercise is important for everyone, as it helps in improving overall health. It can prove to be useful for those who suffer from chronic pain too as exercising reduces stress and improves the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles. If you exercise regularly, your muscles will become stronger which will prevent re-injury and might reduce the pain. Physical exercise can also be fun. You can take up dance therapy which can also relieve chronic pain. Make sure you consult your doctor about the exercise routine that will suit your condition the best.
Sleep Well
Your pain can worsen if you don’t get enough rest or sleep. Muscle recovery, nervous system recovery and mental recovery happens when you’re sleeping. Unfortunately, poor sleep quality is common among those with chronic pain which is a vicious cycle. You can try cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and tobacco to improve your sleep quality. You can also try deep breathing or meditation at night to relax before bed. Finally, you can always consult your doctor about your sleep patterns and see if they have any suggestions or solutions to help you sleep better.
Chronic pain can be difficult to live with since it can affect various aspects of your life. There is no single cure for it, so you need to rely on the different ways available to treat and manage it. A doctor can help you with drug treatments that can involve pain relievers, topical products such as creams and ointments, sedatives, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and more. You can also consult other non-medical methods with your doctor and follow some of the tips given above.
Also Read:
- Can Reiki Relieve Chronic Pain?
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- Chronic Pain Treatment: Everything You Need to Know
- Can Chronic Pain Cause Depression? Symptoms and Treatment of Depression, Psychotherapy
- Chronic Pain and Depression – Doing Battle with the Beast!
- Lifestyle Management For Chronic Pain
- Can Chronic Pain Cause Suicidal Thoughts?