Image via Pixabay
Article by Sophie Letts
Receiving a diagnosis involving chronic pain can be difficult to accept. Knowing that you will continue to face pain issues going forward can be overwhelming, but there are resources for support and ways you can manage your symptoms to improve your quality of life.
If you’re suffering from a chronic pain or health issue, Life Healing Energy can empower you to take your body back to its divine state and find healing.
Find Ways to Handle Stress
When you receive a diagnosis related to chronic pain, let yourself feel the emotions of anger and grief as you adjust to the news. Then, reach out for support to help you move forward. For example, the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association provides some resources and can connect you to support groups in your area. Finding others who have walked in your shoes is an effective way to cope with your new diagnosis.
Next, work to identify emotional and stress triggers that impact your pain. When you recognize these triggers, you can work on strategies to avoid those situations. This may be as simple as clearing out clutter in your home, getting more sleep if you tend to feel frazzled and stressed in the mornings, or leaving a few minutes earlier if traffic is heavy or you’re running late for appointments, all of which induce anxiety. If you’re an overloaded entrepreneur or manager, try reducing work-related stress by going for walks during your day, establishing boundaries, and taking a vacation.
Combine Meditation, Diet and Exercise to Reduce Symptoms
Studies have shown that meditation can provide significant relief for those dealing with chronic pain. Meditation can reduce pain intensity as well as decrease stress, and Mind Body Green explains how simple it can be to get started with the basics. You don’t have to become a meditation expert to see results, as just a few minutes a day can bring some pain relief.
Diet plays a role in managing chronic pain symptoms too. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that following an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce pain issues. This type of diet involves restricting red meat, grains and dairy, and eating eight to nine servings of vegetables a day. Aim for a variety of colors with a focus on cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli.
People dealing with chronic pain conditions may find it difficult to exercise, but regular physical activity can improve your quality of life. Hiking, swimming, and yoga tend to be manageable activities, and simple stretching and light strength training can have an impact too. Start out slowly if you have not been moving regularly and build up as you see improvement in your pain levels.
Be Aware of the Risks of Relying on Opioids
Managing chronic pain frequently involves prescriptions to ease discomfort, and these medications are often opioids like Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet and morphine. Unfortunately, opioids can be very addictive, and it is important to know the potential for problems with these types of medications as you begin taking them. It’s all about managing pain the safest way possible.
Self details the importance of knowing your risk factors related to opioids, like having a history of using drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, or having family members who have faced addictions. Take opioid medications only as prescribed, and work with your doctor to find other sources of relief for your chronic pain issues if possible. These medications are safe and effective for most people, but it is vital to understand the potential for problems.
Alternatives to opioids include traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are most effective for mild to moderate pain that's accompanied by swelling and inflammation. Commonly used for arthritis and pain resulting from muscle sprains, strains, back and neck injuries, NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Caution should be taken with these as well: large doses of NSAIDs can lead to kidney problems, fluid retention and high blood pressure, and risk of these conditions increases with age and with people with health issues such as diabetes. Other pharmaceutical options include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), COX-2 inhibitors, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications.
When you receive a diagnosis involving chronic pain, find resources for support and work on handling your pain triggers while incorporating meditation, diet and exercise to reduce your symptoms. Prescription medications may bring you some relief, but you should also be aware of the risks of addiction when taking opioids. Chronic pain conditions can be emotionally devastating, but knowing how to manage the symptoms can improve your quality of life.
For those looking to heal their pain through natural means, Life Healing Energy can help you accomplish this goal without medication, while also getting to the root of the problem.
Comments