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Chronic pain is no picnic. It can steal your life right out from under you. And, managing it can take up much of your time as well. It’s important to understand what’s happening with your body and if there are any doable remedies to help you manage your chronic pain.
Because some medications can be addicting and harmful to your body, long-term use is usually not possible. Therefore, chronic pain patients must find alternative pain relief in order to live a normal life. Talk to your doctor about what your particular type of pain is and how to make improvements. Here are some simple things that may also help manage your chronic pain.
Manage Chronic Pain #1: Take Supplements for Inflammation
Much of the chronic pain patients feel is due to inflammation in the body. In short periods of time, inflammation is necessary for healing. However, when it becomes chronic, pain, irritation, failing body chemistry, and other things can go wrong. Understanding the nature of inflammation is important so you can combat it. Taking certain supplements can aid in lowering inflammation and, therefore, reduce some types of pain. Magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, Tumeric, Aloe Vera, B vitamins, and many others are known for helping chronic inflammation.
Manage Chronic Pain #2: Light Exercise
You won’t likely feel like hiking or working out at the gym when chronic pain has ahold of you. However, light exercises can improve your body’s ability to fight inflammation and some types of pain. The body is so intricate and complex. One source of pain like tight muscles and tendons can cause other parts to ache. It is for this reason, movement can be healing and beneficial for chronic pain sufferers.
If your pain originates from internal organs, stretching can help them get more space and reduce the pressure on the problem areas, too. Try Tai Chi or yoga stretches, so you can reduce the pressure on your muscles and your joints.
Manage Chronic Pain #3: Topical Pain Relievers
Instead of taking strong or damaging painkillers such as Ibuprofen or Vicodin, consider trying topical creams or pain patches. If anything it will provide you with enough pain relief to side effects associated with strong pain killers, including issues with your liver and kidneys, joints, and chronic headaches.
Manage Chronic Pain #4: Alternative Treatment Options
I recommend doing some research into alternative medicine and pain remedies. Chiropractic care, massage therapy, supplementation, and dietary changes can all help the body heal and eliminate chronic pain. Places like The Present Sage Acupuncture offer solutions based on a holistic approach. The theory is that if you help the body to balance and eliminate negative blockages, it will heal itself. You might also try homeopathy and other traditional herbal treatments to aid the body.
Manage Chronic Pain #5: Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Certain foods can actually make chronic pain conditions worse. If you eat a diet with lots of processed and sugary foods, you might consider making some changes. Generally speaking, try to avoid anything that comes from a box or you pick up at a drive-thru. Become a regular at your local farmers’ market or shop at a market that is more health conscious. These places will offer cleaner foods free of pesticides and other additives. Red meat can also increase your inflammation. Swap it for fish that is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Living with a condition that is causing you constant pain can be challenging. If you have had enough of the side effects of pain medication or are worried about their long-term impact on your life, it is important that you find alternative treatment options and implement some lifestyle changes.
**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s lifelink, it’s owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.
