I lead a very athletic life when I was younger. With physical activity comes a higher risk of injury. My results — I have had a bad back for years now. I am seemingly “destined” to live with the chronic pain that comes with it. (Or so my doctor told me when I was diagnosed with slight Scoliosis Sophomore year in high school.)
However, depression also plays a part in the matter. Depression comes with a lot of different side effects. One of the ever lovely {Insert sarcasm here} symptoms of depression is chronic pain.
It is a vicious cycle actually. Pain can causes depression and depression leads to more stress and pain.
Yipee!
There is no worse feeling in this world than being in pain constantly. For the most part, pain is supposed to be fleeting. You stub your toe, it hurts for a while, but then the pain is gone. You fall over and break your arm, the pain is severe, it lasts a few weeks, and then the pain subsides.
Pain normally develops when you are experiencing a health problem, and is a normal symptom that can be managed until the problem is healed and then goes away. But what happens when pain becomes a part of your everyday life?!
While most pain is fleeting and is caused by a curable problem, some pain is not. Often, as we get older, our bodies become more prone to painful problems like joint issues, for instance.
The problem with these types of pain is that often, they are chronic and are a constant problem. Of course, while it’s a relief to hear that the pain may not be the result of a serious medical problem, finding out that your pain is not curable can be incredibly upsetting. Especially if it’s a pain that’s hard to manage.
No one wants to live with chronic pain, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to take over your life. There is a range of steps that you can take to cut the pain that you feel and to cope when you do feel pain, making it less likely that chronic pain will take over your entire life. Here are some tips on how to deal with chronic pain.
Learn to meditate
Many ancient civilizations believed that meditation was a highly effective form of pain relief. Studies today have shown similar findings. So if you are living with long-term pain, it could be worth looking at learning to meditate. You have nothing to lose to see whether this could help to make managing the pain easier.
Meditation, when combined with deep breathing, is a highly effective method that can be used to assist you in relaxing. When your body relaxes, pain becomes less prominent. This is why meditation can be such an effective tool for coping with chronic pain.
The best way to meditate is to find a quiet space and lay or sit down, focusing on your breathing and ignoring your thoughts is the next step, followed by repeating a simple word or phrase like a mantra.
If you struggle to meditate on your own, consider taking a meditation class. Classes not your thing?! How about purchasing a meditation CD or downloading a meditation app? There are plenty of options available; it’s just a case of finding the one that’s the best choice for you. There are even great options on YouTube!
Stay as active as possible
When you’re in pain, admittedly you probably don’t feel like exercising. However, the truth is that various studies have shown that being active when you are in pain can help to reduce the pain. Endorphins start rushing through your body easing the tension.
Some gentle exercise is a great way to help manage your pain, particularly if your pain is linked to movement. Start out super slow and only do small doses of activity. Studies have shown that when it comes to joint pain caused by arthritis, slow movement can help to make the pain more manageable.
Of course, when it comes to exercising, it’s always a good idea to look into support for the affected area. Say, you use your dog walking as a way to stay active, but you suffer from arthritic joints, resources like https://arthritishope.com/products/knee-compression-sleeve-support-for-arthritis offer specialist support sleeves.
When it comes to the type of exercise that you choose to do, don’t push yourself too do anything that feels too hard. Instead, look for an exercise that is low resistance, such as walking or swimming. Practicing meditation-based exercises like yoga and pilates can be great, too.
If you’re not sure what exercise will work well for you, ask your doctor what they would recommend – your doctor should be able to tell you on what types of exercise will be safe for your condition.
Find ways to manage your pain
One of the most important aspects of living with chronic pain is learning to manage it effectively. Without steps to effectively manage your pain, you will find it much harder in day-to-day living.
When it comes to managing pain, the key is not to let your pain get out of control. If you talk to your doctor and you decide to start a pain medication. Be careful not to let your the medication stop working. Follow the instructions properly and never skip doses.
In addition to using medical treatments to manage any pain, it can also be worthwhile looking at alternative methods of pain relief. I have personally tried massage and acupuncture. These are great options, but not everyone has access to them.
The use of heat and ice therapy can be highly effective. Using muscle relaxing bath salts can also be a great way to relieve pain. You will also find that there are some herbal remedies that are able to offer effective pain relief.
Alternative medicine suggests that the use of ginger and turmeric can help to manage pain. Here is a list of other great alternate ways to relieve chronic pain.
No one wants to live with chronic pain. However, the truth is that sometimes we develop conditions that are painful. This only means that we need to learn to cope with the pain that comes with them.
It isn’t as easy as it sounds, but with the resources above you can make coping with pain easier. Doing so will prevent pain from impacting your life. What works best for you when you are in pain? Start a list in the comments — you never know when you will be able to help someone else!
Start a Howl!