{"id":7773,"date":"2019-07-04T05:34:20","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T05:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7773"},"modified":"2021-04-19T16:45:59","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T16:45:59","slug":"15-coping-tips-for-living-easily-with-chronic-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-coping-tips-for-living-easily-with-chronic-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Coping Tips for Living Easily With Chronic Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chronic pain is an associated symptom of thousands of different health conditions for a variety of reasons, and it affects millions of people across the world every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re reading this, it\u2019s likely that you are experiencing chronic pain in some form or another. It\u2019s also likely that you\u2019re looking for a better, easier way to deal with your pain on a day-to-day basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing any kind of chronic pain is often overwhelming, and it can be associated with other health conditions like depression and insomnia as a result of having to deal with pain. It can also mean having to take a considerable amount of time off work, usually more than one can afford to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are ways to make chronic pain more manageable and gain a better quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 coping tips for living a little easier with chronic pain and the conditions that cause it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Keep a Diary of Events<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have chronic pain or any related health condition which causes it, there is a very good reason why you should start to keep a diary of events. This can be useful to you in order to establish things that trigger chronic pain<\/a> or make it worse, and it can also end up being useful for your doctor, too \u2013 giving your doctor access to your diary of events can help them find ways to make your pain easier to manage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your diary of events, make sure you keep detailed notes on things like the kind of pain you\u2019re experiencing and where. Also, note the time and date the pain happened, as well as what you were doing before or after the pain occurred. For some conditions where the diet is a factor, you will also want to note what you have been consuming along with the time and date along with everything else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. See Your Doctor Regularly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regular doctor\u2019s appointments are essential for anyone who wants to stay in good health<\/a>, and this becomes even more true if you experience chronic pain or any kind of long-term health condition that can be the cause behind it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any form of chronic pain, make sure that you see your doctor on a regular basis, even more regularly than everyone around you would. Every three to six months is a good guideline time for a general doctor\u2019s appointment, though see your doctor between these times too if you experience any changes in your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital for anyone with a condition causing chronic pain to develop a close relationship with their medical professionals, to see them regularly and to ensure they have access to the right experts to manage their condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you spot any new research, remember to show this to your doctor at your next appointment: Yes, doctors do many times find this information useful, especially with rarer health conditions. 
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3. Research Your Condition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have been diagnosed with any type of health condition by your doctor that causes chronic pain, then you should do as much research as possible on your condition on your own. It\u2019s true that knowledge really is power, and it\u2019s especially true when it comes to your own health \u2013 many times people spot something that doctors might have missed, and when patients take the relevant resources along to the doctor, it can serve as a vital Eureka-moment for diagnosis <\/a>and treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people don\u2019t realize just how much their doctor can rely on them during the course of an average doctor\u2019s appointment. List your symptoms thoroughly, and take your doctor any new research and information that you might have seen. This can be a great help to your doctor, and it can make your health condition considerably easier to manage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your doctor doesn\u2019t accommodate this, it\u2019s time for a second opinion. 
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4. Add Supplements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A healthy and balanced diet can add a lot to your health, but it\u2019s also true at the same time that most people don\u2019t get everything they need from their basic diet. Food isn\u2019t as nutrient-rich as it should be, and this is why food often gets fortified and vitamins get added. This is also why it\u2019s recommended that people should take the right supplements <\/a>for their health \u2013 and this is true for anyone who might have a chronic pain-related health condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding the right supplements to your health can give you the immune system boost your body needs to stay healthier, and it can greatly reduce the number of immune system flare-ups that you experience along with your condition. This will also often reduce the instances or severity of the chronic pain you\u2019re experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor for them to recommend the best possible supplements for your health, and don\u2019t start or stop any supplements without their approval \u2013 some supplements can and do clash with certain health conditions, so always check first. 
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5. Adjust Your Fitness Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting your fitness levels can do a lot for your health, especially if you\u2019re living with any kind of chronic condition that causes pain. The adjustments that you are going to need to make in order to improve your quality of life will depend on your individual condition and what fitness levels you\u2019re used to \u2013 it will also often depend on the capacity for your body and what you can handle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some conditions might require adaptations towards less exercise than you\u2019re doing right now, while sometimes you might just need to adjust your form of exercise to something else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other conditions are going to require changes towards more exercise \u2013 although often low-impact forms in order to add strength to muscles and joints <\/a>without worsening pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the best results, see your doctor and ask them to refer you to an exercise specialist who can recommend what\u2019s best for your health and diagnosed condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Adapt Your Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diet <\/a>is one of the most important factors for anyone who wants to take care of their overall health, and if you have any chronic pain condition that needs to be managed, then you should take a look at your diet and make the necessary adaptations. It\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll be surprised at the amount of change this can bring to your health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many chronic pain conditions can be made worse by dietary factors: For example, gout can be caused by too much nightshade-based food in your diet or often drinking red wine \u2013 even glass can have this effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See a doctor and nutritional specialist (and keep a detailed diary) establish which changes need to be made to your diet to manage your health better. Also keep an eye on related conditions like blood pressure (low or high), cholesterol and diabetes, even more, if you have a family history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Support Networks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Support networks can go a long way for anyone who has a health condition that causes chronic pain, and it\u2019s true that most people don\u2019t realize how much a support network helps until they have access to one. In the most simple terms, it helps to talk about pain <\/a>\u2013 and a support network of people going through the same condition can help you to feel that you\u2019re not as alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a great support network in your area (or spread out all across the world thanks to the wonder of social networking) can be great for helping to manage your condition: The support network can also help to share relevant resources to the condition that you might have missed, or treatment tips that can bring a lot of relief to the pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been newly diagnosed (or have never joined any support networks before), start by going to your social media network and looking up relevant groups for your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Don\u2019t Be Shy to Talk About It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Never be shy or ashamed to talk about pain \u2013 and it\u2019s true that a lot of people with conditions that cause chronic pain often are. If you are experiencing any kind of chronic pain condition, it can be hard to talk about it \u2013 and it can be even harder when the condition that causes the pain isn\u2019t outwardly visible to everyone around you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is part of why a strong support network is so vital for anyone who suffers from a chronic pain condition \u2013 and it can also extend beyond this support network and apply to your medical professionals and doctor\u2019s appointments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never be shy to talk about your condition, symptoms <\/a>or pain in front of your doctor. They\u2019re medical professionals for a reason, and nothing is embarrassing in the context of a doctor\u2019s appointment \u2013 instead, mentioning things you\u2019d find embarrassing here could help you to get your health back sooner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Reduce Stress Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s fast-paced world, we all lead stressful lives. The financial pressures of paying the bills on time, along with other family and social responsibilities, can leave you feeling burned out quickly. Unfortunately, high-stress levels play a contributing role in increasing your symptoms of chronic pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CNS signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline-like hormones <\/a>to combat stress levels. Unfortunately, when we remain in a perpetual stressful state, it causes a never-ending flow of these hormones. It\u2019s these hormones that are responsible for initiating the \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d response. In this state, we have heightened sensory perception.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, our pain response increases to let us know to either confront or run away from the threat to our life. When cortisol levels remain high, it provides a negative feedback loop that reinforces the effects of the condition. If you are dealing with high-stress levels, think about taking some time off from work. Relax and unwind, and you\u2019ll feel better after a few days rest. However, chronically stressed people may require medical intervention to help them deal with their stressed state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Stop Drinking and Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with the effects of chronic pain need to review their lifestyle habits. While it’s a good move to stop eating junk food, you can also benefit from stopping other self-destructive habits as well. Drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco products has a severely adverse effect on your health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes <\/a>contain nicotine, a nervous system stimulant that heightens our sense of pain. There are also 7,000-other chemicals in cigarettes that have a toxic effect on the body, including benzene and ammonia. Stopping smoking reduces your nicotine and toxin exposure, minimizing the effects on your nervous system. After three days of quitting smoking, you\u2019ll notice a significant improvement in your pain symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is also another lifestyle choice you should eliminate. Alcohol also has a toxic effect on the body, increasing inflammation in the body. Elevations inflammatory particles floating around in the bloodstream will exacerbate the symptoms of chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Get a Massage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Massage <\/a>therapy may help to relieve pain symptoms as well. Managing chronic pain requires you to be aware of your physiology at all times. People that experience high-stress levels throughout the day need time to unwind from their stress. Exercising is a great way to relieve the tension associated with high-stress levels. Movement and exertion engage your nervous system and help you to manage your symptoms better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also consider getting a massage once or twice a week from a qualified specialist. The masseuse will release all of the knots in your muscles, and work out any tension in the pressure points around the body. Using techniques like \u201cdry needling\u201d also helps to relieve stress from the affected muscles and joints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By utilizing a massage once or twice a week, you get to reduce your stress levels and release tension in the muscular system. This strategy helps to minimize the effects of chronic pain through natural means, without turning to painkillers for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Find Hobbies to Distract Your Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more useful strategies for helping you to mitigate the sensations of chronic pain syndrome is to keep your mind occupied with other activities. When we focus on what we are doing with our full concentration, we are less likely to notice the sensations of pain in our bodies. By taking up a hobby that keeps your mind interested for hours at a time, you\u2019ll find you spend less time in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose whatever hobby keeps your mind going. If you have always wanted to build model airplanes, then give it a try. If you enjoy knitting, then pick up the needles for a few hours every day. By spending your time wrapped up in your hobby, you have less time to think about your pain symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that people who pick up a hobby and occupy their mind for a few hours each day, experience less stress <\/a>than others. They also have a coping mechanism for dealing with the pain that provides them with something constructive to do at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Learn BioFeedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re dealing with chronic pain, then you can try alternative therapies to help you cope with your symptoms<\/a>. One of the more useful alternative remedies is to learn biofeedback. This practice helps to control various biological functions in the body. While there are only anecdotal accounts that say biofeedback works in relieving the symptoms of chronic pain, the results are impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a biofeedback session, the patient wears sensors strapped to their bodies. The sensors feed to a screen that produces electrical lines on a graph, like what you would expect to see when looking at an EKG monitor. The patient then learns how to control their biological output to master the control of the waves produced ion the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By controlling the sensory output, the patient trains their brain to minimize the electrical impulses that cause the pain response. As a result, the patient feels less responsive to pain and increases their pain threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Meditation and Breathing Strategies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having trouble managing the symptoms of chronic pain, try meditation <\/a>and breathing strategies to help you cope. Start with closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing. Breathe in for three seconds and fill your lungs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exhale for twice as long as your inhale, and count to seven slowly while breathing out. This breathing technique activates the lymphatic system, which helps to control the pain response. It\u2019s for this reason that people always tell you to breathe when you are experiencing some form of trauma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you have your breathing under control, try to eliminate all thoughts from your mind. If you\u2019re dealing with pain symptoms, continue to focus on your breath, and it will take your mind off of the issue. Meditation and breathing have long been the go-to methods for managing pain throughout the centuries. Asian therapies designed around breathing for pain management have proven successful in many cases.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Use CBD Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With marijuana legalization sweeping the United States, there are far more companies and brands offering cannabis products to the market. While most people associate cannabis <\/a>use with getting high, there is also a burgeoning medical industry behind the plant. THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis that produces the plant’s narcotic effect. However, some smart researchers have found ways to isolate the cannabinoids in specific subspecies of the plant, avoiding the narcotic impact during use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sub-types of cannabis are low in THC, and high in CBD. CBD is another cannabinoid that has great anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for patients managing symptoms of chronic pain. CBD has a potent anti-inflammatory effect on the nervous system, soothing the effects of pain in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various CBD products available. Visit a dispensary near you and ask the advice of the store clerks on what CBD product will work for you. Recent research into the “‘Charlotte’s Web” brand of CBD oil shows that it’s useful in treating the symptoms of chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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