6 Effective Ways To Manage Chronic Pain

6 Effective Ways To Manage Chronic Pain : Recent epidemiological studies by CDC suggest that chronic pain affects at least 18% – 20% of the population. That means millions of people suffer from excruciating pain on a daily basis. The reason behind chronic pain may be a long-lasting disease such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or cancer. Other times chronic pain is due to muscle spasms, slipped discs, migraine, etc.

Whatever the cause may be, one thing is for sure. Long-term pain is a distressing experience that makes life difficult and stressful. Unlike acute pain, which is typically short-lived and resolves with treatment, chronic pain is persistent and often difficult to manage. While there is no single solution for managing chronic pain, there are many approaches that can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

In this article, we will discuss some amazing ways to manage chronic pain and help you find the best strategies for your unique situation.

The Chronic Pain Cycle

When we experience pain, it starts a chain of thoughts in our minds. We start worrying about the cause behind it and the factors that may exacerbate the pain. For instance, people who suffer from chronic back aches or similar kinds of pain avoid moving their bodies too much. They steer clear of all types of exercises so as not to aggravate pain.

While that may be logical reasoning, what we don’t realize is this practice does more harm than good. When we limit body movement, our muscles become weak, which eventually causes more stress. Stress causes pain and vice versa. Ultimately, we are stuck in a debilitating pain cycle that’s difficult to break.

So, how can one stop this cycle before it worsens? The answer seems simple. You have to stop worrying about the factors that “may” increase your pain and focus on things that will definitely help you. One of which is exercise. You must also learn healthy coping mechanisms and effective ways to manage pain.

How To Manage Chronic Pain?

Learn To Pace Yourself

Living with chronic pain can be challenging. It has a significant impact on our physical and emotional health. Generally, how people deal with chronic pain is letting go of their bodies when they are in pain. During flare-ups, we tend to stop doing everything altogether. And when we feel better, we want to make up for lost time and complete every task possible.

However, this isn’t a good way to deal with pain. Because doing both, nothing or too much, contributes to the aggravation of pain. Hence, you must learn to pace yourself. You may rest when the pain is too much but still, maintain an active lifestyle. And when you feel better, don’t dive head first into a pile of work. Instead, take things slow and steady. Pace your daily activities at a manageable speed and see how it affects your flare-ups for the better.
Get Enough Sleep

Often, chronic pain causes severe stress and anxiety. This results in insomnia and a disturbed sleep cycle. Poor sleep, in turn, makes our pain worse. It’s another excruciating cycle that we must break to have a better life.

In order to get enough sleep, you must create a relaxing bedtime routine. You can take a hot water bath before going to bed. This helps relax our muscles and soothes our minds. Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This could also include reading a book or listening to calming music.

Other things that help get us better sleep are limiting screen time before bed, drinking a warm beverage, and avoiding caffeine. You may also practice relaxation techniques to decrease stress and get a good night’s sleep.
Take Up A Hobby

Keeping yourself distracted is one of the best ways to manage pain effectively. And engaging in hobbies does exactly that. So, you must get up from under the cozy blanket and find a hobby that catches your attention. Taking up an enjoyable activity can help shift your focus away from pain and towards something positive.

Some hobbies that help promote relaxation of the body and mind are reading, journaling, coloring, knitting, and gardening. These hobbies also provide a sense of purpose in life and help us achieve a touch of accomplishment and contentment. This, in turn, helps us de-stress and manage pain effectively.
Connect With Others

Chronic pain can also have a significant effect on one’s social life. This can cause a strain on personal relationships, emotional instability, and an increase in depression and anxiety. All these factors contribute to the worsening of pain. So, we must break this cycle of self-pity and isolation.

Connecting with others can be a valuable tool for managing chronic pain. The best way to build up connections is to hit up old friends, go out with colleagues after work hours, sit with family members, and perform various activities together. You can also join support groups for people with similar conditions. Mingling with people who are going through similar experiences can provide emotional support and validation
Massage Therapy

Pain experts suggest that massage therapy is one of the best ways to manage chronic pain. It not only relaxes the spasmodic muscles of the affected area but also promotes overall mind and body relaxation.

The therapy includes physical manipulation of muscles and applying pressure to tendons, ligaments, and muscles to release stress from the body. For better results, you can use CBD products as your rescuers. Opt for a CBD-infused oil or cream from a reliable brand like oasis cosmetics for massage and experience the magic. Cannabidiol is an exceptional analgesic that not only dulls pain but also reduces inflammation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Dealing with pain is a constant physical and psychological battle many people fight daily. So, the best cure is where we treat pain physically and psychologically too. With the advancements in medicine, there are now several mind-body techniques and psychological therapies that help relieve pain without medication.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a similar technique that has gained popularity in the management of long-lasting pain. It involves therapy sessions where the therapist works with patients to help them discover the challenges they face and how to fight those challenges mentally and physically.

It focuses on learning how certain thoughts and feelings affect our daily life, struggles, and accomplishments. These learnings can then be modified into positive thoughts and beliefs that eventually help our life become better.

Conclusion

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, affecting not only their physical well-being but also their social and emotional health. However, there are many effective ways to manage chronic pain, from mind-body techniques and hobbies to social connections and medical treatments.

By exploring these various options and finding what works best, individuals can improve their pain management, reduce the impact of pain on their daily lives, and improve their overall well-being. With the right tools and support, living a fulfilling and enjoyable life is possible even with chronic pain.