Anyone who suffers from chronic pain will know how difficult it is. Not only is there the physical suffering, but also it can be incredibly frustrating and upsetting. However, it is important to make sure that this pain does not take over your life. Read on to discover some tips you can use to make coping with chronic pain and fatigue easier.
1. Massage therapy
Massage therapy comes highly recommended for anyone that suffers from any type of chronic pain, such as a back injury or sprain. It is important to look for a professional that has experience treating individuals who struggle with coping with chronic pain, such as a massage therapy specialist.
This professional will adapt the massage therapy to suit your condition. If you opt for someone that does not have a lot of experience, they could make your pain worse because they may not use the right amount of pressure and movements to suit you.
2. Exercise
Another way to make living with chronic pain easier is to exercise. This is because exercise releases natural endorphins, which are brain chemicals that will block pain signals and improve your mood.
That is not the only benefit of exercise, either. It can also help to prevent further pain and re-injury by strengthening your muscles.
Of course, it is important not to overdo things. Know your limits so that you can enjoy the benefits of exercise.
3. Coping with chronic pain and fatigue? Reduce stress
Stress can have an extremely negative impact on the body. That’s why it is important to learn how to take control of stress, as feelings of anger, anxiety, and depression can make your body’s sensitivity to pain greater.
Needless to say, it can seem like a bit of a catch-22 because the pain could be the reason you are feeling stressed. But there are plenty of techniques you can use to feel more relaxed and positive.
Two examples are progressive muscle relaxation and mental imagery relaxation. There are also CDs that play soothing and calming relaxing music; they can help lift your mood.
4. Track your pain level and activities each day
By tracking your activities and your pain level, you will be able to determine whether there are any patterns. Perhaps there is something you are doing that is making the pain worse?
5. Learn meditation or deep breathing
Another way to improve your ability to relax is to practice meditation and deep breathing techniques. It is a great way to get your body to relax.
After all, when you are feeling tight and tense, it can make the pain you are experiencing worse. By ignoring thoughts, focusing on your breathing, and repeating a phrase or word, you can get your body to relax.
6. Join a support group for coping with chronic pain
Last but not least, joining a support group can do wonders for coping with pain. It always helps to talk to people that are in the same position as you and genuinely understand what you are going through. They may also be able to share their tips with you on the different ways that they cope with the pain they are experiencing.
I agree with this post…Overuse of narcotics as a society bears part of the responsibility for the opiod crisis in the US…I do not use narcotics for pain, instead I use natural method to control pain… bj, author, near a river
So hard to take care of patients with chronic pain. Thanks for pointing out all the drug-free alternatives!
And thank YOU for appreciating the post!
Great post! These are simple, yet very effective.
Along with exercise I often find that stretches help, too. Of course, everyone is different, but for the pain I deal with (neck/shoulder/arm) and the line of work I am in, I deal with muscle spasms on a constant basis. Along with massage and heat, stretching does wonders.
Thank you for the awesome reminders. :)
Thanks for sharing your story, Robyn. I’m glad to hear that stretching is helpful for you – it’s wonderful when we find ways that work with our unique bodies! :)
Yoga is a wonderful option, and with several styles one can trial and error to find the one which suits them.
Exactly! Thanks for being here, Dr. K :)
These are such good recommendations. Thank you.
I appreciate the feedback, Dawn!
Great post, Christy. Will be linking to my September Awareness Calendar (posts Monday – 9/1)
xx,
mgh
I’m honored, Madelyn! Thank you in advance <3
My pleasure, Christy. It truly fits well with what’s coming.
xx,
mgh
<3
Definitely exercise,going on my bike helped but regrettably used the car when transporting the kids around became necessary…i so want to ride my new bike build!!!!!!
Cheers to your new bike build! :)
Fab tips darling. I would also add accupunture because it helps my neck/shoulder issues immensely. :) xo
Debby, I’ve never tried acupuncture. I recently adjusted my keyboard position and it seems to help with my shoulders that otherwise would roll forward. Hugs!
OH, the old keyboard trick, yes, I am constantly trying to find the right height to avoid neck strain. In fact, I just ordered a newfangled laptop stand that contorts many ways, looking forward to that beauty when it gets here. :) xxx
Hi Debby :) Happy Friday! How did the laptop stand work? Maybe blog about your desk at home and let us know xx
I don’t like the one I got, lol. I think it would work best lying bed, which I don’t use the computer in bed. I think I want to get that real good one called Veridesk I”ve seen advertised. Maybe for a Christmas present. :)
Ohhhh put in your request to Santa :D
Done! :) xx
How do you change your keyboard ?
My keyboard has an attachment on it at the bottom that enables it to be lifted up or angled to reduce the stress on my wrists. I also use an ergonomic keyboard. Hope that helps!
Oh I get what you are saying. I am considering an ergonomic keyboard! Thanks for reply
Very helpful thank you!
I worked in a chronic pain clinic for several years and everything you talked about is accurate and each of the modalities can bring pain relief. It is too easy to fall into the trap of turning to pain killers only. I hope everyone who suffers from chronic pain will pay attention to your sound advice.
Karen, thanks for adding validity to the points here.
It’s hard to manage pain. Sometimes taking pain killers is all there is.
When it gets to a more advanced pain level, this is true.
Dealing with pain is really difficult. Resorting to pain killers everytime is not good for health. These ways to manage pain are really helpful. ☺
We can handle more than we sometimes realize :)
We surely can☺
Very informative and useful post, Christy. It will help people suffering from chronic pain. Exercising is really a good option as my father has gotten rid of his knee-pain by following a chart prescribed by his physiotherapist.
Hi Maniparna :) Always lovely to see you! Great to hear of your dad’s progress xx
Fortunately for me, I haven’t yet had to deal with chronic pain. I can’t imagine how sucky that’d be. Just feeling like there’s nothing you can do to get your mind off the pain because it’s always there! Sounds like an absolute nightmare. I think eating well, sleeping well, and living an all-around healthier lifestyle should definitely minimize some of these occurrences. Thanks for sharing!
This is also appropriate for living with an aging body.
That’s good information. My friend deals with chronic pain, and her dog is very helpful. I think having a pet has really helped her deal with it.
Kathrin
All great suggestions…my wife has had to deal with chronic pain most of her adult life and reducing stress has had the biggest impact for her along with the usual exercise, etc….great post!! Thanks for sharing!
And take lots of pills!
Oh yes, stress is one I need to work on. I’d love to get a massage, and massage therapy definitely seems to have a lot of positives going for it in terms of chronic pain where muscles and joints are concerned (as a fibro ‘spoonie’). Great post! x
Last year my shoulders got injured and they became fully functional only in 6-8 months. It was time to realise how paralysing any pain is. We tend to take it for granted that we have no disabilities. This was rather challenging mentally as I did not know for sure whether it would be 100% again. Frustration should be consciously fought, not only pains, as you have mentioned.
great topic as always
thnkn you for sharing dear
kisses
Chronic pain does in deed make every other issue (large or small) harder to deal with. So many people are dismissive of it…
Have a good new week, Christy. Hugs on the wing.
Informative post. Thanks for this hardworking effort
Great post.
I have nominated you for The Unique Blogger Award. Hope you like it.
Very kind of you! And congratulations to you on the award :)
Thanks Christy B!
Great techniques to be followed!
Great post again Christy! Reducing stress, massage and exercise are my top go to methods when I recommend ways of reducing chronic pain to my patients! 😊
My darling, you are going from strength to strength with these posts xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Very helpful. Nothing really new here, but I needed the reminders. TY!
Your blogs are always really helpful. Great work again. Congrats
Thank you for this 😌 I have scoliosis, coupled with degenerative discs and osteoarthritis in both knees, so I know how difficult it is dealing with chronic pain, not only for me, but for my wife. I’m like an old car that is rusting away :)
You are not rusting away!
Thank you :)
Great topic and post. I would add: Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. If you search Google Images for “anti-inflammatory foods,” you can find a slew of great memes to keep in your phone gallery for grocery shopping.
I have osteoarthritis in my hip from being hit by a car in 2011. Limiting sugar, eliminating grains, and eating a lot of olive oil and other anti-inflammatory goodness has helped immensely.
I’ve started getting arthritis in my hands and feet. A small bowl of black cherries [also known as Morello cherries or sour cherries] provides enough natural anti-inflammatories to keep me pain free. It’s not a cure all but it does help with some forms of chronic pain.
That’s wonderful to hear about this benefit of black cherries for you! Thanks for sharing about it here in case it helps others
I hope it helps too. :)
Thanks for sharing that! I’ll jot it down on my phone.
:)
Great post!
These are amazing techniques! I went through a spate where I tracked my pain level and I now know my limits yet still find it difficult to pace and face the facts of not being able to do most things as people my age. I also agree with doing breathing techniques as pain creates so much tension and the smallest relief is a great help. Brilliant post! 💗