How to Live With Pain: Guide to Managing Chronic Pain

Over one in five American adults deals with chronic pain. If you live with pain, you know how challenging it can be physically and emotionally. Pain can make it difficult to participate in regular activities, including work and family care.

But there are ways to manage and cope with chronic pain so you can continue enjoying life to the fullest. Follow this quick guide for a few essential strategies.

Practice Healthy Habits

You may overlook basic habits like eating and sleeping well when managing pain. But sometimes, these healthy habits can make all the difference.

Eat anti-inflammatory foods and get plenty of rest to help calm irritation and pain in the body. Stop smoking, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

And even though pain can make exercise difficult, try low-impact aerobics to release mood-boosting endorphins.

De-stress

If you live with chronic pain, practicing self-care and relaxation is crucial to keep stress at bay.

Stress can cause spikes in pain. This happens when your muscles tense up, and the stress hormone, cortisol, triggers inflammation.

Find relaxing hobbies that both distract you from chronic pain while also relieving stress. Your mind and body will thank you.

Turn to Medication and Other Treatments

Chronic pain is now more treatable than ever, thanks to a variety of medications and alternative methods.

If you’re wondering what can reduce chronic pain, it’s best to first make an appointment with a pain management doctor for personalized advice. They can recommend a specific medication or other treatment based on your needs.

There are also over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, though these can cause adverse effects if taken too frequently.

If medical marijuana is available where you live, you may want to try a strain of MMJ for lower back pain and other chronic pain. There are also naturopathic treatments, such as massage and acupuncture, which may benefit some types of pain.

There are more choices than ever, from herbs to medical devices that block pain signals. Talk to your doctor and research your options to find the best treatments for you.

Be Gentle with Yourself

One of the hardest aspects of living with chronic pain is dealing with the toll it takes mentally and emotionally. You may feel frustrated when your pain limits you from certain activities or lose hope and choose to stay in bed on especially low days.

For people living with pain, it’s important to accept that your life may look differently than those who don’t have chronic pain. But that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless; with some adjustments, you can live an equally rich and full life.

Know your boundaries, and don’t hesitate to say no to something that may only trigger more pain. And be gentle with yourself. Don’t push yourself beyond your limits; prioritize your health above all else.

How to Cope and Live With Pain

Chronic pain can be taxing both physically and emotionally. But if you live with pain, there are ways to make the most of life while managing flare-ups.

For more ways to get healthy while living with pain, read our other health articles!


Diana Muniz
Diana Muniz

With over 20+ years of experience in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Diana has developed a great understanding of Marketing Strategy, Brand Development, Customer Success, Public Relations and Management. Her internal drive for developing others and external brands, has allowed her to work in some of the largest cities in the world including Milan, Paris, NY, Mexico, and the Middle East. This experience has been fundamental to Diana’s success and ability to communicate cross-culturally.

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