Chronic pain is a complex condition and can be difficult to treat. It can be caused by various conditions and injuries, including; injuries or trauma, such as falling on icy ground, spraining your ankle and breaking a bone, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica and back pain, osteoarthritis, and other autoimmune disorders. You can take steps to control your chronic pain and make it easier to manage. Here are some suggestions:
1. Exercise regularly
Exercise helps your body stay strong, limber, and flexible. It can also help you sleep better, improve your mood and reduce stress. But choosing the right type of exercise for your chronic pain condition is essential. You can do some strength training. Strengthening your muscles will help them support your joints and bones, reducing stress on those parts of the body causing you pain. You may be able to do this with weights or resistance bands at home or in a gym. Or you may need the guidance of a physical therapist who can provide exercises specifically tailored to your needs.
Walking is low-impact but still offers many benefits for people with chronic pain who can walk safely without injuring themselves further. It’s easy on the joints and doesn’t require any special equipment or skills beyond being upright and mobile in a comfortable way. Try walking every day for 20 minutes until you build up to 30 minutes per day — preferably outside in nature if possible!
2. Get medical help
Chronic pain often requires medical attention — especially if it worsens over time or doesn’t improve with self-care measures there are plenty of alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who can help manage your condition and prescribe medications that can help relieve your symptoms. Some types of chronic pain are related to other conditions or diseases, such as arthritis or diabetes. These conditions may require additional treatment.
Also, many people with chronic pain try self-care strategies before seeing their doctor or seeking other types of treatment. These include using heat/ice packs, taking over-the-counter medications for aches and pains (such as acetaminophen), getting plenty of rest and exercise, avoiding activities that cause pain, modifying daily activities as needed, and eating healthy foods that promote good health (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). For some people, these measures provide enough relief from symptoms, so they don’t need more invasive treatments for their condition.
3. Get enough sleep
Sleep deprivation increases feelings of stress and depression — both of which can trigger chronic pain episodes in people with certain conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis. Sleep for at least 7 hours each night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, consider changing your diet or exercising earlier in the day so that your body is ready for bed by 10 p.m., which helps regulate melatonin production and circadian rhythms that make it easier to fall asleep when it’s dark outside.
4. Maintain a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help reduce the severity of your pain by reducing inflammation and stress on your body. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, can help reduce inflammation, while foods high in antioxidants can help protect your body from free radical damage. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many health problems, so maintaining a healthy diet can reduce your risk for these diseases and improve your overall quality of life.
5. Use essential oils
Essential oils are often used to treat chronic pain and are an affordable alternative to over-the-counter medications. One way essential oils can help with your chronic pain is through massage. The oils can be added to a carrier oil before a massage, or you can use them directly on the skin by diffusing them or applying them with a carrier oil. Massage is one of the best ways to relieve your chronic pain. It helps increase circulation, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles, making you feel less tense and stressed.
Another is through inhalation (diffusing). Diffusing essential oils will help relieve stress and inflammation by increasing oxygen flow to cells and tissues throughout your body. By inhaling essential oils, you will also benefit from their antiviral properties since many viruses cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. This method is especially beneficial for people with respiratory problems such as asthma because it helps open up their airways and reduce congestion which may be causing their breathing difficulties.
Living with chronic pain is never easy. But, by addressing your underlying cause and adopting a holistic treatment plan, you can achieve a fuller, healthier life. Start by following these tips—you might just start feeling better in no time.