Pain that occurs for at least three months is categorized as chronic pain. The sensation can be continuous or can recur for a few days at a time. No matter where it occurs, chronic pain is uncomfortable. At its worst intensity, it can be debilitating and depressing.
Here are seven tricks that can help get rid of chronic pain that becomes too difficult to bear:
1. Improve Your Diet
Processed foods high in sugar and trans fat can cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation may be the source of chronic pain for some. Thus, patients should lessen their intake of sugary food with refined carbohydrates. You may also want to avoid red meat, because it is another inflammatory food.
Eliminating these foods may help patients eventually lose weight, too. If the chronic pain is back-related, having a healthier weight can lessen pressure on the spine, thus reducing pain.
2. Try Meditation
Chronic pain is agonizing both physically and mentally. An anxious mind can make it much harder to deal with an aching body.
Patients experiencing chronic pain can benefit from doing meditation exercises. Relaxing activities like yoga and tai chi may also help ease your mind to shift focus away from the pain. With an established meditation routine, patients can better deal with anxiety, depression, or agitation caused by chronic pain.
3. Take Over-The-Counter Medicines
Over-the-counter pain medications is generally safe for chronic pain when taken at the recommended dosage. These include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and analgesics. While temporary, the relief they offer can help you function better and make the pain bearable.
If you need to take such medications continuously for more than two weeks, it’s time to stop and see a doctor. Prolonged intake may be dangerous to your health.
Take note that some painkillers may also cause side effects for some patients. For example, a drug like ibuprofen is not recommended for those with stomach ulcers, as it will irritate the stomach.
Do your research or consult a doctor before taking a pain medicine that isn’t familiar to you.
4. Rest Up
Be sure you’re getting enough sleep since sleeping too little may cause weight gain. As mentioned, weight gain increases pressure on the spine, causing back pain.
Being well-rested also reduces stress to help you relax. A relaxed mind and body mean you’re better equipped to deal with pain.
5. Make Lifestyle Changes
Certain activities aggravate chronic pain because they force the body to exert more effort. Learn to be gentler on your body, even while doing everyday tasks.
For example, take short breaks in between mopping the floors. Bring your shopping packages into the house in batches instead of all at once.
If you’re a smoker, another crucial lifestyle change to make is to stop smoking. Nicotine in cigarettes can heighten chronic pain and make it harder to recover from injuries.
6. Exercise
While rest is essential for the body to recuperate, too much of it can also be problematic. That’s why doctors recommend exercise for chronic pain.
A sedentary lifestyle causes stiff muscles, weak bones, and a lack of energy. For example, staying in bed for long periods worsens the pain for those with chronic back pain.
At least 30 minutes of low-intensity exercises like light swimming, walking, and stretching can help tremendously. Physical activity is good for your body, and it is also effective for managing stress levels.
7. See A Pain Management Doctor For Lasting Pain Relief
In the end, the most effective trick to try is to consult a doctor. While self-medication and lifestyle changes might help, they can only offer temporary relief. Plus, if you have a serious underlying condition that needs medical treatment, at-home care may never be enough.
A pain management doctor can find out what exactly is causing recurring pain in your body. They can prescribe medications, treatments, and interventions that will give you relief from the chronic pain once and for all. If the underlying cause is not curable, they can create a treatment plan that will help you manage the chronic pain much better than before, so you can have better quality of life.
Pain Management Doctors Near You In Melbourne, FL
Are you looking for a pain management doctor near you? Dr. Nicholas Giordano heads the team at Central Florida Spine & Pain. He is a board-certified interventional pain management physician who routinely helps patients suffering from chronic pain finally find lasting relief.
Call (321) 802-5021 for any questions or inquiries. You may also use our online request form to book a consultation. We look forward to serving you!
