Managing chronic pain can be very difficult to do. If you suffer from chronic pain or know someone who does, you know that people will try anything and everything to manage their pain levels. Some methods work better than others, and some people respond more positively to specific methods versus others. Below, we’ll discuss seven of the best options for managing chronic pain.
1. Prescription Pain Management From Your Doctor
First, and maybe the most obvious, taking painkillers is one option for reducing chronic pain. Whether you choose to get your painkillers from a doctor or over the counter, research is essential for figuring out what type you should try. Researching people who also have chronic pain in the same areas you do is a great place to start.
However, if you decide to take painkillers, be aware of the potential dangers of addiction, abuse, and overdose.
2. Try Vaping CBD
CBD and CBD products have enjoyed a tremendous increase in popularity for treating chronic pain. Some studies cite CBD as especially helpful for things like anxiety, but many people with chronic pain attest to the benefits. You can consume it in many ways: inhalation through vaping, ingestion, and even topical application can be successful.
3. Stay Active
Staying active and developing a physical fitness routine that matches your activity level is a great way to reduce some of your chronic pain. Stretching and practicing good posture is especially important since it prevents your muscles from becoming too stiff.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques can include practicing mindfulness, passive muscle relaxation, and relaxed breathing. Breathing techniques have significantly helped reduce pain. When done correctly, specific breathing patterns can even send signals to your brain to help your body relax and release tension.
5. Have a Solid Sleep Schedule
A poor sleep schedule can worsen pain levels since your body depends on reliable rest to heal itself. Getting too little sleep at different times of the night means that you don’t have a dedicated period for your body to heal. Sleeping better can also improve your mood, which also has positive effects on chronic pain levels.
6. Pace Yourself
Both doing too little or too much can make the pain worse. Balance is key. Dividing up your daily and weekly tasks into manageable chunks can reduce the stress on your mind and body. Think of it in terms of cleaning your home. You don’t want to spend one day cleaning everything in sight; it’s much more manageable to handle one or two rooms per day, so you don’t overdo it.
7. Address Things That Worsen Your Pain
It isn’t just physical things that can worsen your chronic pain. Things like depression and anxiety can potentially worsen conditions associated with chronic pain. Taking steps like seeing a therapist, working on your mental health, or taking medication can improve these things. Having chronic pain is difficult, but making sure you stay mindful and aware of your mental health can help immensely.
Final Thoughts
Just because you have chronic pain doesn’t mean you are destined to be miserable. There are many options out there for people to try. Whether you want to address things that can worsen your pain, pace yourself, fix your sleep schedule, relaxation techniques, stay active, or try some CBD, you’ll be sure to find something that will help. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone or try new things, since you never know what can end up making a difference. It could be one of these options or a combination of a few that work for you, but you don’t have anything to lose if you try.