Every day our rheumatologists help patients who are dealing with chronic pain. Their experience in dealing with rheumatic diseases and many other painful conditions lets them know that a patient can be devastated when dealing with daily pain, no matter where that pain is. Back, hip, knee, shoulder, hand, or pain in any part of the body can eventually wear a person down and make them depressed and unable to do the things they once enjoyed. If you are dealing with chronic pain there are some things you can do to alleviate the pain and learn to work around it. Here are some tips that might make it easier for you to cope with the pain and overcome the mental, emotional, and physical problems it can causes in the long term.
Tips For Coping With Chronic Pain
Reduce Stress – If you find something, or even someone, causes you stress try to reduce or eliminate the amount of time you spend around the stressor. Stress, and its accompanying negative feelings, can actually increase the amount of pain you feel.
Don’t Drink or Smoke – Cigarettes may actually reduce your ability to heal and of course can cause other problems. Alcohol actually makes it harder to sleep, which increases you stress and makes you more sensitive to pain.
Learn to Meditate – Meditation and deep breathing techniques can help you relax. Relaxation allows abused muscles to take a break, which can help reduce the pain you feel. Meditation also gives you a way to take control of your thoughts and potentially even learn to ignore your pain.
Exercise* – As we have mentioned in previous blog posts, exercise causes endorphins to be released that can help reduce pain.
