Relief from chronic pain doesn’t have to come from a medicine bottle. There are steps you can take today to make those nagging pains a little more tolerable.
First, breathe deeply. This sounds simple enough that most of us don’t take the time to do it. But deep breaths are a proven relaxation and stress-management technique that will calm our minds and relieve pain.
Get some exercise. Although this may seem counterintuitive when dealing with aches and pains, exercise will actually release feel-good chemicals called endorphins that will lift your mood and block pain. You can’t get that relief in a bottle.
Eat a balanced diet. Strive for a diet that is rich in whole grains, fresh produce and low-fat proteins. This will help your body stay strong, improve blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight. Although this isn’t a quick fix, it can lead to better overall pain management.
Distract yourself. Nothing is worse for chronic pain than focusing on it. So look for ways to get your mind off the pain. This may include listening to music, taking a cooking class, painting a picture, taking a scenic drive or participating in any number of other diversions.
Get support. Reaching out to people who also suffer from chronic pain will do a surprising amount of good. Why? Because it will help you know that you’re not alone. Working together to manage pain is more effective than doing it alone.
If you’d like some more tips, here’s a great slide show from WebMD. Or feel free to give us a call. We’d be happy to help.