
6 Ways to Deal With Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. It can impact every aspect of life, including physical, mental, and social health.
Long-term pain can result from a number of different things, such as chronic medical health conditions, injuries, and poor movement patterns.
Many people who are dealing with chronic pain are prescribed ongoing medications to relieve pain, and make daily living as easy and enjoyable as possible. Although painkillers are effective at reducing chronic pain, they don’t target the root cause of the issue.
Pain-reducing medications aren’t a cure and they are certainly not the only treatment option. Additional treatments and therapies are also beneficial for pain relief, such as herbal treatments, yoga, and hot and cold therapy.
Below, we’ve discussed the prevalence of chronic pain and X of the best treatment options.
How Common is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain refers to pain that persists for more than 12 weeks, even with pain-relieving medications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one-fifth of the US population suffers from chronic pain and 8% suffer from severe or high-impact chronic pain.
As stated by The Lancet, pain is the leading cause of disability in the world and it impacts almost a third of the global population. It can result from structural abnormalities in the body, physical health conditions, or injuries, and is closely associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders and drug dependency.
6 Best Treatment Options for Chronic Pain
Pain management can take a number of forms and what works for one person might not work for another. Healthcare professionals must consider every available treatment option when treating patients to ensure the best outcomes.
Here are six of the best treatment options for those who are dealing with chronic pain.
Massage
Massage therapy is a hugely popular relaxation technique. It can be beneficial to reduce pain alongside medications and physical therapy.
Massage is a form of soft tissue manipulation. It can promote muscle relaxation and flexibility and may lower inflammation by increasing blood circulation through the muscles. It can also help to lower muscle stiffness and improve posture, which is great if the root cause of the individual’s pain is poor movement patterns.
Although massage therapy is not the best treatment for pain management on its own, it’s a much better option than no treatment at all.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is a commonly used method of pain relief. It can be used for short-term pain relief in patients with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) but may also be used in the long term to lower pain.
Hot and cold therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal injuries that are causing ongoing pain. It’s especially effective for chronic lower back pain.
Hot therapy increases blood flow to the muscles by dilating the blood vessels, which can promote faster muscle recovery and healing. Cold therapy minimizes pain by reducing inflammation in the affected area.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy uses a number of physical techniques and exercises to increase muscle strength and flexibility, and improve movement patterns. It is effective at lowering pain and improving quality of life.
Physical therapists may use a combination of rehabilitation exercises, massage therapy, and red light therapy to maximize patient outcomes. Exercises can be bodyweight movements or may involve the use of free weights and resistance bands.
Drug Therapy
There is a wide range of medications that can be prescribed for pain relief. Different drugs work in unique ways to reduce pain perception and provide comfort for patients. Below, we’ve covered the main types of medications that are used for pain relief.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – this group of drugs reduces inflammation and swelling in the muscles and joints. They are available in tablets, capsules, topical gels, and topical creams.
- Opioids – this is another pain-relieving group of medications that are ideal for short-term pain relief. Opioids should be prescribed in combination with other pain management therapies to treat chronic pain.
- Beta Blockers – beta blockers are used to slow the heart rate down and minimize the effects of adrenaline. They are often prescribed for anxiety disorders but are also effective for pain relief, especially in those with migraines, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and temporomandibular syndrome.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) – research suggests that CBD may help to reduce neuropathic pain and anxiety. However, it’s important to be aware of the cannabis laws in your country and state before purchasing CBD products.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular form of therapy that is used to treat a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. It’s a psychological treatment that can reduce people’s pain perception, and increase their abilities to cope with chronic aches and pains.
One review from 2013 showed that CBT can be effective at lowering pain immediately after other forms of treatment, especially compared to no treatment at all.
However, it’s important to note that psychological therapies will not target the root cause of chronic pain if it stems from physical health conditions or injuries. This is why CBT is best used in combination with other pain-relieving treatments, such as physical therapy and medications.
Yoga
Yoga is a form of exercise that combines physical and meditative aspects. It can be used to strengthen and relax skeletal muscles, and improve joint flexibility and mobility. It’s great to target certain areas of the body and can help individuals to cope with pain more easily.
One study showed it to be effective in lower arthritic pain in sedentary individuals. It’s a form of exercise that is accessible to most people and can be customized according to each person’s current capabilities. It’s also got a very low barrier to entry and can be done at home or in a gym.