Chronic pain can make your days very difficult. If you’re in pain, it can limit your life and cause a lot of emotional distress too. You look fine. You want to feel fine. You want to do all the things. But you’ll pay a price and you start weighing every thing you do or want to do so see if it’s worth it. If you’re struggling, there are some ways to cope with pain and make life a little easier. Nothing will fix it because if it could you would have done it, but every little bit of relief, is a win.
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If chronic pain is restricting your quality of life, see a specialist, like Ships Medical, who can give you practical ways to manage your pain. They can advise you on the best combination of medications, painkillers and other pain management methods. Always consult your Doctor before starting a new method of managing your pain.
Try Breathing Techniques
Deep breathing techniques or meditation can help you to relax, even when the pain is bad. Tension and tightness from sore muscles can soon spread into other parts of the body, but the right breathing techniques can help you to release that tension. You can try some deep breathing exercises, or meditation if you find it more helpful. There are lots of free apps to help you get started with meditation and to learn different techniques for relaxing.
Reduce Stress
Easier said than done I know, but stress can exacerbate existing pain. If you’re depressed or anxious, your body can become more sensitive to pain. You can learn to manage your pain better if you can find a way to control stress in your life. Find things that make you feel calmer, whether that’s listening to soothing music, or spending some time outside in the garden. You could try special relaxation CDs to help to ease stress. You could try mental imagery relaxation. This is a form of mental escape, that involves creating calming images in your mind to help you feel more peaceful. Progressive muscle relaxation could also be a useful technique for you.
Get Endorphins From Exercise
Endorphins released from exercise can be an effective way to help you manage pain. The chemicals released can block pain signals, as well as strengthening muscles, preventing further pain. If you’re worried about exercise with pain, speak to your Doctor who can help you to design an exercise routine that will help instead of increasing your pain. Swimming is a great choice for gentle exercise. The water supports you and your joints as you swim, and it’s an effective whole body workout. The increased stamina could also help those deep breathing exercises.
Get Enough Sleep
If you’re tired, your pain is only going to feel worse. Try and get some proper sleep. A hot bath or a warm, milky drink before bed can help you to feel sleepy. Avoid caffeine too late in the day, and cut back on the amount of alcohol you drink. Alcohol can lead to disrupted sleep and more pain.
Join A Support Group
You are not alone! Join a group for sufferers of chronic pain. A support group where you can talk to others who are struggling with chronic pain could be very helpful. While it won’t help your pain, the emotional support can give you the tools to cope with it better.
Do you struggle with chronic pain? How do you make things a little better? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below and thanks for reading!
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