Tips For People With Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, you know that it can be hard to get through the day. The pain is always there, nagging at you and making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. It can be hard to find ways to cope, but it’s important to try, says the pain medicine specialist Dr Brian Blick.
Here are four ideas that might help.
1. Keep a pain diary. Sometimes, just the act of writing down when your pain is at its worst and what you were doing when the pain started can help you to identify patterns and triggers. Once you know what makes your pain worse, you can try to avoid those things or be prepared for them. For example, if you know that sitting for long periods of time makes your back hurt, you can take breaks more often or try to find a different way to do your work. Keeping a pain diary can also help Dr Brian Blick to better understand your pain and how to treat it.
2. Try relaxation techniques. When you’re in pain, your body is in a state of stress. This can make the pain worse. Learning how to relax can help to reduce stress and improve your pain. There are many different relaxation techniques that you can try, including mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing exercises.
3. Get regular exercise. It might seem counterintuitive, but exercise is actually one of the best things you can do for chronic pain. Regular aerobic exercise helps to increase endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—and decrease inflammation throughout the body. Exercise also helps to improve sleep quality, which can make the pain worse. Start slow and build up gradually so that you don’t overexert yourself or worsen your pain.
4. Connect with others who understand. When you’re in constant pain, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. Finding others who understand what you’re going through can make a big difference. There are many online communities and support groups for people with chronic pain where you can share tips and advice, vent about your frustrations, and connect with people who understand what you’re going through.
Conclusion:
Chronic pain is a difficult thing to live with, but there are ways to make it more manageable.