Hi lovelies,

Chronic pain is defined as pain that constantly lasts for 12 weeks or more. Whereas acute pain often has a definite cause and can be dealt with instantly, perhaps with medication, surgery, or longer-term care such as help from top bionics companies, chronic pain is much more challenging to cure because a diagnosis can be hard to pin down. This can mean that sufferers have to live with their pain for many months, perhaps even years, before it can be reduced or eliminated – if this can happen at all.

When this is the case, that pain will need to be managed if the sufferer is to lead any kind of normal life. Here are some ways that chronic pain can be treated in order to allow the person suffering from it the best chance of living, if not comfortably, then at least reasonably.

Meditation And Relaxation
Learning how to meditate and incorporate deep breathing techniques into everyday life can help with chronic pain. This is because it allows the body to relax, and in some cases, this can reduce the pain. A tense body with tight muscles will often feel pain more acutely, so when you are relaxed, the pain can feel less.

There are many different ways to meditate, so it is important to find the one that suits you best – often, the only way to do this is through trial and error. There are some common techniques, however, that would benefit everyone (not just those suffering from pain but those who want to relax more in general as well) to learn. One of these is deep breathing; find a quiet location where you can sit or lie in a comfortable position and imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe in, keeping that spot in mind so that it expands. Then breathe out again slowly and carefully. You can also clear your mind of thoughts and chant a mantra (out loud or in your head).

Exercise
Although not everyone who suffers from chronic pain will be able to exercise, if you can, then you absolutely should because it will make you feel a lot better. When you exercise, your body releases brain chemicals known as endorphins. These chemicals improve your mood and make you happier, and they also help to block pain signals.

Exercise also makes your muscles stronger, which means you are less likely to be injured and cause yourself more pain. On top of this, exercise can help to keep you at a healthy weight, control your blood sugar levels, reduce your chances of developing type two diabetes and heart disease (and even some cancers) and help to stave off depression. So exercising is a good idea whether you suffer from chronic pain or not.

Talk About It
If you can find a support group full of people who are going through the same thing you are, whether that group is a physical one you travel to each week or so or whether it’s online, that can help immensely in managing your pain. You will feel less alone, knowing that other people are going through exactly what you are, and you can ask them questions and get health tips from them about how they cope. You can also give tips yourself which will make you feel good for helping others.

It might also be a good idea to speak to a mental health professional, especially if you are experiencing the signs of depression as well as chronic pain, since depression is one of the many side effects that chronic pain can bring. Remember that when you ask for help, it is not a sign of weakness – if it is going to make you better and give you a better quality of life, then it is essential.