Health

Helpful Advice on How to Deal With Chronic Pain

Stephen Howard

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) says that 20% of adults in the United States regularly deal with chronic pain. Most doctors call pain that has been going on for more than three months “chronic pain.” Chronic pain differs from the pain you might feel right after an accident or injury, called acute pain. It can appear in many body parts, like the nerves, joints, arms, and back.

How to successfully manage chronic pain?

Whether your discomfort is new or has been bothering you for a while, these tried-and-true ways to help yourself can help.

Do some research.

There is more and more evidence that it is important to treat pain by understanding how it works. If you know how the brain and nerves work and what role they play in pain, you might be less likely to get long-term symptoms.

Continue to move.

Not only does living a healthy, active life improve our overall health and well-being, but it can also lower our risk of chronic pain. Our bodies were made to move, and we need to be aware that not every ache or pain is something to worry about.

Consult with a therapist.

If you have an accident or start feeling bad, you should see a therapist as soon as possible. They can help you deal with and manage your chronic knee pain. Therapists use the most up-to-date information to make treatment plans for each person based on their specific needs, problems, and goals. These programs help people improve their mobility, manage pain and other chronic illnesses, recover from injuries, and avoid future injuries and chronic diseases.

 

If you start therapy early, you’re less likely to have problems that last for a long time. 

Pay less attention to the image.

Most of us want a diagnostic image (like an x-ray or MRI) to tell us “why we hurt,” but images don’t tell us much about what’s hurting us. In a study of people over 60 who did not have low back pain, more than 90% had a degenerative or bulging disc, 36% had a ruptured disc, and 21% had spinal stenosis. What you see in an image might or might not be related to how you feel.

 

After imaging has ruled out serious conditions, your integrative medicine doctor will work with you to improve your quality of life by combining prescribed exercises, hands-on care, and education.

Addressing depression and anxiety is crucial.

If you are also sad or worried, you may be more likely to have chronic pain. A new examination in the Journal of Pain found a link between depression and how we think about pain before and after a total knee replacement. Talk to your doctor about any problems with your mental health while you are being treated for an injury or surgery.

Conclusion

People who have had arthritis pain for a long time often find that keeping a positive attitude helps them deal with pain better. Try not to give in to the pain. Find ways to turn your attention away from it. Do something you want, like a hobby or spending time with family and friends, to keep your spirits up. If you are in need of additional help, talk to a therapist or doctor about how hypnosis, meditation, and breathing exercises can help you feel better.