How to Manage Chronic Pain at Home?
Any pain that
lasts for over 3 months is considered to be chronic pain. Chronic pains can
have life altering effects on a person’s life. A person suffering from chronic
pains can go into depression due to the loss of control over his life, he/she
can become lethargic, tired and weary due to the long suffering of the constant
pain. It also greatly impacts the self-confidence of a person, his/her ability
to interact with people and the inconsistency and varying intensities makes it
hard for the people around to understand the situation.
Chronic pains can
make a person agitated, angry and anxious, as it hinders with the sufferers
plans, aspiration, activities and relationships. Seeking medication or
professional help in case of chronic pain isn’t that effective as the
appointments are few and far between. Most of the heavy lifting is done by the
individual themselves. Chronic pain treatment can be managed at home with
a little effort and the right guidance, for sure. There are numerous ways by
which you can efficiently manage your pain at home and increase your
productivity levels. So, gear up for good days will be back soon.
Chronic
pain relief can be managed at home by the victim with careful observations,
monitoring and modifications in the lifestyle. The patient has to figure out
what measures he/she must take and whatever behavioral, cognitive and emotional
alterations should be done to claim back the old, happy days. In order for you
to conquer this difficult battle, we have put together some tried and tested
ways that help manage chronic pain at home.
Be less
Sympathetic and More Accepting
Living with
chronic pain isn’t easy at all, but try to be a little sympathetic with yourself.
Don’t bash yourself for something you can’t control. Don’t say “why me?”
instead think about “what now? If you accept that the pain is now a part
of life, the emotional and mental struggle will be far less daunting. How a
person thinks about the pain will eventually have the similar kind of impact on
his/her life. For coping with chronic pain, the approach of the patient is very
important. If the person is over sympathetic towards the situation then it will
become even more vile. Focus on the good aspects and have gratitude.
Cold and Hot
Compresses
After having a
positive approach, the patient can now focus on the ways the pain can be
managed at home. Cold and hot compresses work as a great pain reliever and can
help subside pains for a good period of time. A cold compress is usually
effective right after the injury as it reduces inflammation and muscle spasms.
A hot compress works on increasing your pain threshold, which means that with a
hot compress you’ll be able to take in more pain. It also helps in relaxing the
muscles and makes the person feel much better.
Exercise
Regularly
Exercise or any
physical activity is great for not only our body but also for our mind. The
sweating, pumping of heart and blood racing in our veins gives our body the movement
it deserves and our mind the stimulation it needs. Regular exercise helps
uplift your mood, makes you feel productive, a feeling of self-love embraces
you and it’s a great distraction from the throbbing pain. Any form of exercise
is great, yoga is a great chronic pain treatment as it relaxes
your mind and calms down the body.
Create
Distractions for Yourself
While
distractions won’t subside your pain or reduce it in any form, it will surely
keep your mind from thinking about the pain as the most potent feeling. People
suffering from chronic pains must make an effort to invest in things that make
them happy so that when the pain is overwhelming, you can simply transport
yourself to your happy place. Listening to music, watching Netflix, eating ice
cream, doing painting, solving puzzles or crosswords, anything which can keep
your mind away from pain is a welcome distraction.
Take Help from
CAM (Complementary and Alternative medicine)
CAM techniques
and practices are a great combination along with medical treatment or it can
also be done on its own. Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Therapeutic massages are
some forms of CAM, which have been used for many years to give chronic
pain relief to thousands of people worldwide. Therapeutic massages relax the
joints, muscles and tendons. Chiropractors rectify the alignment of the body
and Acupuncture releases endorphins in the body, which is the body’s own pain
killing mechanism.
Have a
Nutritious Diet
In your battle
against chronic pain, your diet plays a pivotal role. The right kind of diet,
which is well balanced and takes nutrients from every food group is a must.
Don’t over do any food group and also don’t exclude any particular food group.
Avoid using too many carbs or sugars products as they can make the matters
worse.
Summing
Up
No one knows when
the chronic pain goes, but you can’t just sit and wait for it to go. You have
to build your life around it and take it in your stride. For doing so, managing
your pain in your own way is very important. Follow all or at least some of the
ways mentioned above and see how you’ll be able to manage chronic pain like a
pro!
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