Any type of pain that lasts more than 12 weeks can be considered chronic. This is something that many people will have to live with for the rest of their lives. Living with pain can make simple tasks difficult. However, there are still some things that you can do in order to manage chronic pain.
Rest
Many people who live with chronic pain have a tendency to push themselves too hard. They do not want the pain to prevent them from living their lives. However, pushing yourself too hard will only make the pain worse. That is why it is important to listen to your body. There is nothing wrong with spending a day in bed to rest if you do not feel well.
Use Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana use is controversial. However, it can be effective for alleviating chronic pain. Studies have shown that medical marijuana can reduce the body’s response to pain. It can also alleviate nausea that is associated with opioid use. Find a dispensary in Californiaor somewhere local near you to stock up on this resource.
Get Counseling
Pain may not only affect your physical health, but it can also affect your mental health. That is why many chronic pain sufferers find it beneficial to get counseling. A counselor can teach you how to manage your emotions. It is important to manage your emotions because feeling anxious, depressed and angry can make your pain worse.
Get Gentle Exercise
Many people who suffer from chronic pain avoid exercise because they think that any type of activity will worsen their pain. However, gentle exercise can help you manage your pain better. Gentle exercise includes things like gardening, dancing, swimming and walking. Gentle exercise can block the pain signals. Furthermore, exercise can stretch tense joints, ligaments and muscles.
Listen to Music
Listening to music can alleviate pain. There was a study done that involved 41 people who suffered from chronic pain. None of the subjects had any major health problems except for chronic pain. They were given a questionnaire and asked about their pain. They also had their hand temperature measured.
All of the subjects were asked to put their dominant hand in freezing cold water. They were asked to keep their hands in the water for up to four minutes. They were also asked to rate their discomfort. Before the experiment was started, they were asked to select music that was happy, relaxing or sad.
The subjects were asked to do the water experiment four times. Music was played during three of the trials. The subjects reported that they felt less pain while they were listening to music. They reported the least amount of pain while listening to relaxing music. Listening to sad music was still better than not listening to any music at all. Researchers believe that music can be distracting and can take one’ s mind off of the pain.
Join a Support Group
You may feel as though you are alone when you are dealing with chronic pain. It is a good idea to join a support group. If you do not have a support group in your area, then you can join a support group online. Support groups are full of people who will be there for you when you need them.
Unfortunately, chronic pain is something that many people are forced to live. The good news is that you do not have to let this condition ruin your life. Resting, performing gentle exercise, listening to music and getting counseling can help alleviate your pain. You can also use medical marijuana to get rid of your pain. Furthermore, you should join a support group.
