Most people think of pain management as simply taking medications or getting injections to relieve pain. While this may be necessary for some people, there are other ways to manage pain that don’t include potentially dangerous drugs and side effects and are quite inexpensive. Nonetheless, the place to start treatment is to find the best pain management clinic near you and get advice from experts on your condition. Nonetheless, keep reading below to learn more about the top 6 pain management tips you need to know and how they can help you reduce your pain naturally.
6 pain management tips you need to know
1) Eat foods high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are well known for their health benefits, including improved heart health and reduced risk of stroke. Omega 3s can also reduce pain by interacting with receptors in nerve cells and regulating inflammation. The best sources of omega 3s include salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, walnuts, and flax seeds. Fish oil supplements have a bad reputation because they can give you fishy burps, but they’re a good way to get your daily dose of healthy fats if you don’t like seafood. Aim for about two grams per day.
2) Do Yoga
There are a variety of different types of yoga that target specific areas of pain management. And you don’t need to be an expert yogi—or even stretchy at all—to reap yoga’s many benefits. If you struggle with chronic joint or muscle pain, consider giving one of these two styles a try: Iyengar Yoga and Anusara Yoga. Both styles have been shown to reduce chronic pain, increase flexibility, and promote better posture. Best of all, Iyengar and Anusara classes are fairly accessible. Iyengar classes often take place in large rooms at studios or gyms and can be accompanied by music.
3) Reduce Stress Through Meditation
Stress can be a major trigger for pain, so it’s important to manage your stress. One way is through meditation. Start with just five minutes a day and build up as you go along. Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly spiritual, practising meditation can make a big difference in reducing your pain—and also your anxiety and mood disorders. Try it—you might like it. Your health will thank you for it, too. If you have trouble sitting still, try some mindfulness exercises while on your feet. The key is focusing on one thing at a time (usually by focusing on your breathing). This helps clear your mind of all other thoughts that could trigger negative emotions or increase pain levels.
4) Get Enough Sleep
When we’re tired, pain is more likely to bother us. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. If you have trouble sleeping through the night, try listening to relaxing music or practising slow breathing exercises before bedtime. A nice hot bath can help you relax and unwind too.
5) Get Up and Move Around Every Hour or Two
Sitting at a desk all day is tough on your body and even tougher on your back. Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular, but if you don’t have one (or aren’t allowed to use it), try breaking up your workday with regular movement breaks. Every hour or two, get up and walk around for a few minutes. Even better, set a timer for when you need to return to your desk and take that time to move around (and get some fresh air).
6) Learn About Your Condition and its Cause(s)
As a pain patient, it’s important that you learn as much as possible about your condition and its cause(s) in order to help your doctor prescribe an effective treatment for you. If you’re unsure about what your problem is and how it can be treated, do research on your condition, either through medical libraries or other trusted sites. Learning how common (or rare) your condition is can also help inform which treatments are available for you. For example, if you’ve got joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), at least 50% of RA patients experience joint pain – so don’t feel like your pain is unique or unusual.
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