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Did you know that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain?

Chronic pain can arise for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia to simply exhibiting poor posture over a long period of time. Nonetheless, chronic pain can pose a great burden for people that must fight through it in their day-to-day life.

Chronic pain can be managed, though such lingering conditions of pain require specific forms of treatment. Perhaps you or a loved one wish to learn some helpful ways to treat chronic pain.

This brief guide will offer ten key pain help tips, so keep reading below.

1. Comfortable Amounts of Exercise

One effective way to fight back against chronic pain is to find some new, comfortable ways to exercise. You don’t want this new physical activity to be too strenuous, but try and find a particular activity you enjoy. These can include, jogging, swimming, rock climbing, or even taking some long walks.
This kind of activity can offer pain relief over time by keeping your joints healthy, as well as stretching muscles and ligaments throughout the body.

2. A Healthier Diet

If you eat healthier, you will eventually find that your body responds in tow, giving you more vitality. Obesity or a poor diet can add strain to your joints and muscles, sometimes aggravating conditions of chronic pain that you may already have. Eating healthier foods will only help decrease inflammation around your joints.

Try substituting your usual go-to foods that might be high in fat content with fruits, nuts, or whole grains. Breaking such habits is often easier said than done, so it will likely take some commitment.

3. Breathing Techniques for Chronic Pain

Deep breathing and other forms of meditation exist for the purpose of helping your body relax. As you breathe deeply, you can eventually loosen the muscles in your body, releasing tension and granting pain relief.

There are many different breathing techniques and ways to meditate. It is also a learned skill that may take some time and practice to accustom oneself to. However, those with chronic conditions or fibromyalgia often achieve results in alleviating sore muscle pain.

4. Practice Healthier Sleep Habits

The periods during which your body is at rest are extremely important for managing chronic pain and inflammation. It is vital that your body not only gets enough sleep but also quality sleep. This can be achieved by creating a routine and sticking to healthy habits before bed.

Try to commit to a specific bedtime, reduce “screen time” while in bed, and cut back on alcohol, as all can improve the quality of your sleep.

5. Try Massages for Pain

Massages are one of the most popular treatments for chronic pain. No matter which muscles in your body are experiencing pain and inflammation, there is more than likely a massage technique that can target and offer relief to those areas. Be sure to do your research and always trust a trained professional with such maneuvers.

6. Physical Therapy

Trained physical therapists specialize in helping people live with all manner of inhibitive conditions. A good physical therapist can guide you through some healthy exercises and motions targeting your areas of pain. Over time, these practices can allow your joints to be more mobile.

They also have access to professional equipment such as ultrasounds that can further help you pinpoint and treat your areas of discomfort.

7. Minimize Stressful Activities

In most cases, situations that cause or abet mental or emotional stress tend to exacerbate conditions of chronic pain. If you find that particular settings or interactions in your daily life cause you anxiety or frustration, try as best you can to avoid them or practice relaxation techniques to more relaxingly navigate them.

Depending on your livelihood, this is could be another pain management strategy that is easier said than done, but less stress means decreased pain.

8. Maintain Good Posture

Our posture can easily become something we forget about unless we pay close attention. When we’re distracted by phones in our hands or TVs while on the couch, we may slouch or bend our spines in ways that are unhealthy in the long term, leading to more pain. Try as best you can to stay conscious of keeping your spine straight, or even consider taking device breaks.

9. Chronic Pain Help Groups

As previously mentioned, if you’re suffering from chronic pain, you are by no means alone. Support groups can introduce you to many others suffering from similar conditions, giving you the chance to experience some new advice and insights. Achieving a sense of community with your chronic pain conditions can very much be an effective psychological treatment.

10. Consult a Knowledgeable Physician

Sometimes, everyday treatments for persistent, bothersome chronic pain simply don’t cut it. In such cases, be sure to do your research and find the best doctors in your area to see to your condition. The right healthcare professional can offer medications and treatment programs that can allow you to treat and live with your pain more comfortably.

Let Us Help You Alleviate Your Pain

If you or a loved one need more advanced treatment for conditions of chronic pain, let us guide you toward a physician who can help. For over twenty-five years, Brown & Toland Physicians have served a variety of patients throughout the Bay Area.

Use the Find a Doctor tool on our website to find the closest and most qualified physician for your condition today.

 

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website or Blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website or Blog.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately, call your doctor, or go to the emergency room/urgent care.