Chronic Pain Management: How to Live a Normal Life with Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain can be difficult. It can make everyday activities seem impossible. However, this does not have to control your life. There are ways to manage it and live a normal life. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for chronic pain management. We will also recommend seeking the help of our chiropractor, Dr. Miller, if you are struggling to manage how you feel on your own.

What is Chronic Pain?

Pain is a normal and natural reaction that helps warn you when an injury or illness is threatening your health. The irritation of a bee sting or scraped knee is acute pain. This symptom becomes chronic when it occurs daily or nearly daily for weeks on end. Once your pain remains constant or episodic over months, there is definitely a serious problem. Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 12 weeks. It can be caused by an injury, a medical condition, or even stress. It can be debilitating and make it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

Common Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can come in many different forms and appear across your body. Common types of chronic pain include:

• Arthritis, or joint pain.
• Back pain.
• Neck pain.
• Cancer pain near a tumor.
• Headaches, including migraines.
• Testicular pain (orchialgia).
• Lasting pain in scar tissue.
• Muscle pain all over (such as with fibromyalgia).
• Neurogenic pain, from damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic pain can vary depending on the type you are experiencing. However, there are some common symptoms associated with chronic pain, including:

• Aching knees due to arthritis
• Hip and leg pain linked with sciatica
• Migraines that disrupt your day
• Hands and feet with burning sensations
• Shooting, throbbing, or steady back pain
• Neck tightness and irritation
• Pain and sensations that only affect the surface of the skin

Who’s at Risk?

Chronic pain can affect anyone at any age. However, there are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing it, including:

• A family history of chronic pain
• Previous injuries or surgeries
• Obesity
• Smoking cigarettes
• Poor mental health
• Stressful life events

Tips for Chronic Pain Management

There are several things you can do to manage your chronic pain. Some tips for your daily pain management include:

1. Exercise regularly. Exercise releases endorphins, which have natural painkilling properties. Working out also helps to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility, which can help to prevent further pain.

2. Use heat or cold therapy. Heat can help to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. Cold can numb the pain and reduce swelling.

3. Massage the affected area. Massage can help to release the tension in the muscles and improve circulation.

4. Take over-the-counter pain medication. If your pain is mild, you may be able to manage it with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

5. Adjust your diet. Eating healthy foods can help to reduce inflammation and pain. You should also avoid foods that can trigger pain, such as caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods.

6. Get enough sleep. Sleep helps the body to heal and recover from pain. aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

7. Reduce stress. Stress can make pain worse. Try to find ways to relax and reduce stress in your life.

8. See a chiropractor. A chiropractor can help to relieve pain by manipulating the spine and other joints. If you are struggling to manage your pain levels, we recommend seeing our chiropractor, Dr. Miller. He can help to create a treatment plan that is specifically designed for you.

Treatment at Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab

At Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab, we offer a variety of treatment options for chronic pain. Our common treatments include:

• Massage therapy that eliminates tension and keeps pain away for days or weeks
• Electrical stimulation to soothe nerves irritated by damage or pressure
• Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care
• Full physical examinations from a medical doctor
• In-depth testing through X-rays, MRIs, and full nutritional and allergy testing to discover a cause

Make an Appointment with Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab

If you are struggling with chronic pain, Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab can help. We offer a variety of treatment options that are specifically designed to relieve your pain. Contact us today to make an appointment!