A Pain In The Neck: Living With Chronic Back & Neck Pain
Pain is a sign that something is wrong with the body. It could be something minor or something more serious – it completely depends on what the cause of the pain is and where the pain radiates from. Most pain goes away on its own or heals with the help of a doctor, but there’s some pain that no matter what we do, just doesn’t seem to stop, leading to many people across the country living with chronic pain.
Many people don’t realize it but chronic pain can be more disabling than cancer or heart disease and can make leading a normal life incredibly difficult. In terms of what causes chronic pain, there’s an array of answers. Some people suffer a sports injury that leads to chronic pain, while others develop a condition like arthritis – something that can commonly be brought on by pregnancy. There are hundreds of causes of chronic pain.
The good news is that there are ways you can make living with chronic pain easier and more manageable, allowing you to enjoy your day to day life with your family, that little bit more.
Understand what’s causing your pain
The first thing that you need to do to help alleviate chronic pain is get to grips with what’s causing it. This is important as determining what the cause of the pain is; it may make managing it (or even treating it) easier. Say, for example, you suffer from painful back spasms, as yorback.com suggests, there are a range of possible causes that could be behind these painful spells. Whatever pain you’re suffering from, taking the time to read up about it is a must, as by doing so you can make the process of managing your pain easier.
Drink plenty of water and eat well
Studies have shown that failing to drink enough water can make chronic pain worse, regardless of where it’s coming from. So, it’s important to ensure that you are drinking plenty of water, to help keep yourself hydrated – aim to drink at least two liters of water a day. As for what you’re eating, following a healthy, wholesome diet is a must. As research has shown that fatty foods can, potentially make chronic pain worse, it’s best to avoid them wherever possible.
Be as active as possible
It’s been proven the physical activity can not only help to strengthen the body’s muscles and bones but can also help to relieve stress and tension. That’s why it’s recommended that anyone suffering from chronic pain does what they can to be as active as possible. It’s no secret that when we exercise we release endorphins, and endorphins help to boost our mood, but that’s not all they do. Endorphins are also a natural painkiller, so if you’re suffering from chronic pain, working out could be the answer to relieving pain naturally.
Practice meditation-based exercise
If the idea of taking part in faster-paced exercise sounds too stressful, how about practicing meditation-based exercise instead? Research has shown that yoga, for instance, can help to make managing pain easier, due to the stretches and breathing techniques that it teaches. So, taking the time to practice yoga (or pilates) on a daily basis, could be an amazing way to help relieve the pain that you’re feeling.
So, there you have it, everything that you need to know about living with chronic pain.
