So many Americans struggle with chronic back, joint, and neck pain, leading to all sorts of daily life problems. As the new year approaches, it’s time to get a better hold on your pain management and finally start focusing on chronic pain treatment.
From working with a joint pain specialist to getting some more sleep each night, here are some great tips to better manage your pain throughout 2019:
- Exercise — Even if you are in too much pain to even think about working out, getting active can actually reverse those painful feelings. Exercise not only strengthens your muscles and prevents injuries down the line, but it also releases natural endorphins which have pain-reducing effects.
- Physical therapy — Physical therapy is one of the best chronic pain treatments available. The ancient form of physical therapy dates back to 460 BC when the founder of medicine as a rational science, Hector and Hippocrates, used water therapy and massage to relieve their patients’ pain.
- Track your pain levels every day — In order to effectively treat and manage your pain, you have to be aware of often you’re actually in pain. Keep a log of your daily “pain score” on a scale of 1 to 10 and let your doctor know how often your daily pain reaches a high number.
- Practice meditation — Meditation can help you ease pain and clear your mind. Find a quiet location, sit in a comfortable position, and practice for a few minutes each and every day. If you’re struggling with meditating early on, simply try deep breathing to help your body relax. Once you develop deep breathing skills, you’ll be able to work your way up to meditation.
- Stop bad habits — Unhealthy habits like eating junk food, smoking, drinking alcohol, and not getting enough sleep can all lead to your pain getting worse. Cutting back on these unhealthy habits will transform your life for the better, while simultaneously alleviating pain.
Don’t let your joint, neck, or back pain ruin your 2019. If you want to learn more about chronic pain treatment and want to work with an experienced physical therapist, contact a Physical Therapist right away!