In the US, over a fifth of adults experience chronic pain. Just because it’s so common doesn’t mean it’s something you should accept though.
Pain is unavoidable at times, especially if you’ve got a health condition that causes it. However, with the right actions, you can get pain reduction and have a more relaxed body. And as a result, you’ll have a better quality of life.
Read on to find out how you can make life easier with good management of pain.
Do Light Exercise
Physical activity can exacerbate some health conditions, so clear it with your doctor first before you start any exercise routine.
However, in most cases, it’s ok to do light exercise. Not only does it strengthen your body and keep it flexible, but it also causes the release of endorphins. These feel-good hormones will lessen your pain.
Communicate With Your Doctor
Speaking of your doctor or Naples chiropractor, have open and honest conversations about your pain levels. It’s beneficial to keep a pain journal, as this can help you remember your struggles more in detail.
Together, you can figure out what adjustments need to be made with your treatments and if you need to be put on medications.
Don’t Drink Alcohol or Smoke
It feels like alcohol’s numbing your pain, so you might think it’s an effective pain reliever. However, it interrupts normal sleep patterns, which can make your pain worse. Not to mention, if you drink enough, your body might not recognize that you’re sleeping in an awkward position.
Also, smoking will make circulation issues worse, which can result in more pain.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Did you know that your diet has a huge impact on your pain levels? For one, if you’re overweight, it can put extra work on your joints and bones.
In addition, some foods are inflammatory while others are anti-inflammatory. If you stick to the latter group, it can also reduce pain.
Reduce Stress
We know it’s easier said than done, but if you can reduce stress in your life, then you can get some pain relief too. This is because negative feelings can increase your sensitivity to pain, so you’ll want to get opposite results by having positive feelings.
Doing deep breathing exercises and/or meditation is a good start. You can combine it with aromatherapy to calm your thoughts. Read more on aromatherapy diffusers if you’re interested in this route.
Have Excellent Management of Pain
Excellent management of pain will keep you from being miserable and living your best life. The key thing is to communicate with your doctor, as well as do light exercise, don’t smoke or drink, eat a healthy diet, and reduce stress.
While complete elimination of pain is probably impossible, these steps can reduce your symptoms to a level that you can handle better. And that’s definitely a great start!
For more on living with chronic pain, keep reading our blog page.
