Gone are the days when those who were forced to live with chronic pain had to stay home and rest for weeks or even months on end. As we are leading such busy lives, it’s simply impossible to sit back and watch the world go by.In fact, resting for long periods can sometimes make the pain worse as your bones get weaker and muscles stiffen, and you’re left with nothing to take your mind off it.
There are many ways you can manage chronic pain and this article will give you a list of some of the most effective methods to take into consideration.
1. Exercise
Although you may believe that exercise is one of the worst things you can do when in pain, it could reduce the symptoms and help you sustain your agility. For conditions such as arthritis, physical activity can boost your core strength, reduce pain in the joints, and even lessen fatigue. Providing you don’t go overboard with exercise, staying active could work wonders for your chronic pain condition and even allow you to maintain a healthy weight. Some of the most suitable exercises include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
In terms of frequency, it is best to exercise every single day even when you’re in mild pain to keep your muscles and joints moving and help you feel more in control of your body.
2. Take cannabis
Cannabis is well-known for reducing extreme pain and could be an option to consider if you’re looking for alternative treatment methods. It has been proven to reduce the likes of pain and inflammation and help keep you calm when in states of distress or panic. If you’re new to using cannabis, it would be worth browsing the most popular weed strains to gain an understanding of each of the key benefits of the different types.
3. Learn to relax
One of the best ways you can ease the pain on a day-to-day basis is to learn to relax. Stress only puts additional tension on your muscles which can heighten your chronic pain condition and make you even more miserable. Learning how to make your body relaxmay even mean that you don’t have to take much medication. However, it is always worth speaking to your GP beforehand before reducing or changing medication. Some of the best techniques to help your body relax include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Tai Chi
4. Get help
Don’t try and do everything by yourself if you know you’re going to struggle. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help if you need it, either. You could turn to friends or family or even neighbors for favors if you’re having an off-day, and over time, they may offer to help out as and when necessary. Accept their gesture so you can conserve your energy for more crucial tasks.
Thousands of people around the world live with chronic pain and manage day to day by taking the above tips on board M we hope they work for you, too.
