DEALING WITH CHRONIC PAIN

The pain that lasts beyond three to six months or beyond the point of tissue healing is termed as chronic pain. Some forms of chronic pain can be associated with an identifiable cause such as degenerative disc disease whereas some chronic pain have unknown cause such as neuropathic pain.

Chronic pain treatment specialists recognize that chronic pain is strongly influenced by the ways in which the brain processes the pain signals. For some, chronic pain may provoke emotional reactions such as fear whereas for others it may be merely a nuisance. The medical literature clearly recognizes the role our mind plays in relation to chronic pain. In fact, the International Association for the Study of Pains states that pain is always subjective and is defined by the person who experiences it.

Hence, the conclusion is that the brain is an amazing organ that has the capacity to manage the sensation of pain.

The chronic pain management techniques given below will enable you to be less dependent on pain killers and more capable of controlling the pain.

Chronic Pain Management Techniques:

• Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing and meditation enables you to relax which in turn eases the tension and tightness in the muscles and aids in relaxation. Learning to relax requires practice, but the relaxation training itself can help in getting your mind away from pain.
• Management of stress: The sensitivity to pain increases if you are stressed. Depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, etc. increase your pain. Managing stress can bring down pain levels. There are several techniques that help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which help in dealing with pain better. For example, soothing, calming music which helps in uplifting your mood and help in dealing with the pain better.
• Control physical activity: Certain activities or body movements may aggravate your pain. Avoiding those activities and movements can help in reducing the pain.
• Exercise: When you exercise, the body produces endorphins which play an important role in blocking pain signals. Also, exercise helps in strengthening the muscles as well that will help in reducing the pain. Exercise also keeps your weight in check, gives good control of sugar if you are a diabetic, and also reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Reduction in alcohol: Sleep gets affected with pain, and alcohol worsens sleep problems. Quality of life improves if you take less or no alcohol.
• Support group: Chronic pain can make you feel afraid and isolated and also the only one suffering. But this is not the truth. It is estimated that one in three people suffer from chronic pain. There are many support groups that bring people suffering from chronic pain together. Meeting them and talking can help with coping with the pain.
• Quit smoking: Smoking worsens chronic pain, as it interferes with blood circulation leading to increased pain and also increases the risk of heart disease and cancer.
• Massage: Massage can help in relieving stress and tension in muscles, which effectively controls the pain.
• Balanced diet: Eating a well-balanced diet keeps a check on weight and sugar levels, aids in digestion, and reduces the risk of heart disease which all help in dealing with chronic pain.
• Distract your mind: Distracting your mind from pain makes it a lot better. Keep yourself busy and think about things besides your pain.
• Try Ayurveda: Ayurveda deals with the root cause to cure pain rather than offer symptomatic relief. Hence, pain relief is effectively obtained.