Going through the day with feelings of soreness and aching are what make it so difficult to deal with chronic or short-term pain. Unfortunately, when you have chronic pain, even getting out of bed the wrong way can cause excruciating pain.
For that reason, it's essential to identify remedies and solutions that work. Consider these helpful ideas for combating instances of pain:
Find ways to relax
Stress can make your body more tense and make you less healthy overall. In turn, this can not only lead to physical pain directly but may also leave you prone to injury.
There are a number of steps to take to combat feeling stressed or anxious. Look for opportunities to prioritize comfort and relaxation at home. For example, set aside time each evening to turn off any electronics and read a book. Try using scented candles or softer lighting to create a more soothing atmosphere, as the absence of tension helps promote regularity in your body.
Get a better night's sleep
A healthy body needs to be well-rested, and long nights of tossing and turning lead to the same kind of tension and imbalances that leave you vulnerable to serious discomfort.
Like stress, there are a number of reasons why you could be having trouble falling asleep. Try making changes to your nighttime routine, adjusting your bed or taking any other proactive steps to get better, more consistent sleep. Even darker curtains can make a difference for some people, while a sleep mask or IMAK® Compression Eye Pillow can be used in a way that promotes deeper sleep.
Change your shoes
Subtle things like your clothes or chair at work can inform whether you suffer from chronic pain. As osteomyologist Quincy Rabot explained to Psychologies, your shoes are a key consideration.
"The most common cause of back pain is poor posture," said Rabot. "Carrying your weight too far forward causes the pelvis to tip forward, the knees to hyperextend and rotate inwards and the head to push forward. This can cause pain in the back, hip and knee joints, neck and even head. Wearing shoes that correct this posture can help alleviate the pain."
Gel insoles or corrective shoes may make an impact. At the same time, consider wearing your sneakers on the way to work. Likewise, it may be helpful to try a slightly larger or smaller shoe size entirely. By making small changes to the types of shoe you wear on a daily basis, you could relieve a considerable amount of tension caused by foot pain.
Consider diet and exercise
Another simple idea for dealing with chronic pain is to increase how much exercise you do. Regular physical activity helps promote the steady flow of oxygen and other essentials throughout the body. Likewise, exercise reduces the buildup of lactic acid that causes stiffness.
"Select only the best foods to supplement your exercise."
Starting a new workout routine can come with a bit of soreness in the beginning, but over time your body will begin to feel more refreshed and limber.
For this to be most effective, however, you need to select only the best foods to supplement your exercise. Fats, sugars and other deleterious elements leave your body feeling uncomfortable and can make it difficult to feel at your best. Opt for leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts and fish to make sure you are selecting the right fuel for your new workout regimen.
Try acupuncture
Many of the best ways to deal with chronic pain are preventative, but you also have some options if you want the pain to simply subside. Massages are a useful solution, but this can be an expensive choice and even exacerbate the problem if it isn't done correctly.
Acupuncture may be a better solution, and the Mayo Clinic reported that the precise use of needles stimulates nerves and tissue in a way that promotes the body's natural painkilling mechanisms.
Use vibration therapy
Although acupuncture can be quite beneficial for treating chronic pain, it may not be appealing to everyone. Instead, one of the easiest tools for diminishing discomfort can be used right at home.
Vibration therapy gently warms the body in a way that promotes blood flow. Likewise, the gentle vibration inhibits pain signals traveling to the brain. The result is a soft, soothing sensation that melts away discomfort. Choose the Intellinetix vibration therapy product that will bring about the best possible results, as different wraps or styles target specific parts of the body.
Overall, your best bet for dealing with chronic pain is to select a number of solutions in conjunction. That way you can mitigate any problems you're currently having while trying to prevent future issues. If your pain persists or worsens over time, consult with a doctor to learn more about the root causes of this discomfort.