Managing Chronic Pain to Improve Quality of Life

A warning sign that your body or mind is experiencing a problem, pain can appear suddenly or increase gradually over time. The sensation may be mild and intermittent or severe and persistent. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, untreated, acute pain can become a chronic issue. Persistent pain can occur because of an illness or an injury as well as distressing emotional events like grief and anxiety. The pain can linger for months or years and negatively affect your physical and emotional well-being. However, there are many things you can do to start managing chronic pain to improve your quality of live.

Tips for Managing Chronic Pain

While living with chronic pain can be difficult, it is possible to improve your quality of life and ability to function. Although advances in medicine have provided cures for some diseases and extended the lives of people suffering from a variety of illnesses, health care professionals are still struggling to understand and control chronic pain. Holistic techniques and programs focusing on the patient help individuals manage their pain. These interdisciplinary programs are designed to encourage those dealing with pain to regain control over their lives by taking an active role in their treatment.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Patient-centric pain management programs often incorporate diet and exercise regimes. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine published a study confirming the ability of an easy-to-digest diet free of processed foods to alleviate inflammation, a major trigger for pain. In addition to aiding the digestive process and providing essential nutrients, a healthy diet reduces the risk of heart disease, helps keep weight under control and improves blood sugar levels. It is also important to stay well hydrated. According to the Mayo Clinic, dehydration aggravates chronic headaches and backaches. While it may be tempting to consume juice, coffee or soda, their diuretic characteristics make these beverages a poor overall choice. Water keeps you hydrated without excess caffeine, calories and sodium.

Exercise

Exercise helps with managing chronic pain by naturally increasing your endorphin levels. These brain chemicals block pain signals and improve the mood. Thirty minutes of daily exercise strengthens muscles by reducing the potential for injuries and illnesses. It helps you maintain normal weight, lowers the risk of heart disease and controls blood sugar levels. A regular exercise regimen along with relaxation techniques reduces stress, anxiety and depression, which can intensify chronic pain. Patients who are unable to engage in strenuous exercise may still benefit from meditation, yoga and massage. In addition to improving the quality of sleep and increasing your range of motion, massage therapy and yoga can reduce stress levels.

Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices like smoking and excess alcohol consumption worsen chronic pain. People who smoke are more likely to experience chronic pain than people who do not smoke. An ineffective pain management strategy, alcohol interferes with the ability to cope with pain. Chronic pain sufferers should also consider joining a support group. Talking about the pain with others who suffer the same or similar problems give patients the comfort that they are not alone and helps with managing chronic pain. Other members of the group can provide encouragement and ideas on how to deal with chronic pain. The American Psychological Association recommends psychotherapy for pain sufferers. Biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy and guided imagery are techniques that also help you manage pain.

A comprehensive pain management program overseen by your doctor can improve your quality of life by helping you cope with the physical and mental effects of the condition.

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