Chronic pain can make it difficult to do things like work, socialize, and care for yourself or others. It might create despair, worry, and problems sleeping, all of which can aggravate your pain. This reaction creates a hard-to-break loop.
What is the cause of chronic pain?
Chronic pain can occasionally be linked to a specific cause. You could have a chronic disease that causes chronic pain, such as arthritis or cancer.
Injuries and illnesses can also change the physiology of your body, making you more sensitive to pain. These changes may last even after you have healed from the initial accident or illness. Pain might be caused by a sprain, a fractured bone, or a short illness.
Some people have chronic pain that is unrelated to an injury or a physical disease. Healthcare professionals refer to this response as psychogenic pain or psychosomatic pain.
Stress, anxiety, and sadness are some of the psychological factors that lead to it. Many specialists believe that the cause of this relationship is low endorphin levels in the blood. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals that produce pleasurable feelings.
It is possible for multiple sources of pain to coexist. For example, you could be suffering from two distinct ailments. You may also experience migraines and psychogenic pain at the same time.
How to manage chronic pain?
Rehabilitation therapy
Pain experts usually recommend physical therapists.
This lets you to move more easily, reduces discomfort, and simplifies daily tasks and activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of bed.
Manipulation, stretching, and pain-relieving activities may be used in the management of chronic pain.
Physical therapy is frequently provided by a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath, or, in some cases, an occupational therapist.
Physiotherapists can help you determine the optimum type of exercise and activity for you. Occupational therapists can assist you in making environmental changes that will allow you to remain at work and function better at home.
You should start to feel the results of physical therapy after a few sessions.
Long-term pain relievers
Over the counter Herbs for Pain medicines are suitable for relieving discomfort and allowing you to be more active.
However, because pain relievers have side effects, they should be used with caution. Paracetamol is the most simple and safest pain medication for adults.
You could also try anti-inflammatory drugs for adults, such as ibuprofen, if you don’t have an illness that prevents you from using them (such as a stomach ulcer).
It is critical to take pain medicines in the recommended dose and on a regular basis, preferably to lessen a flare-up of your pain or to help you get through a planned activity.
Don’t put off using pain killers until your discomfort is intolerable; they won’t work as well.
Exercise
- On an exercise bike, you can walk and swim.
- Pilates, yoga, or dancing are all options.
- Stretching and activity should become part of your daily routine so that you can exercise frequently and in small amounts.
Try to be active on a daily basis rather than only on days when you’re not in as much pain. This may help you feel more in control and reduce the number of bad days you have.
However, try to avoid going overboard on good days and paying the price with more bad days.