By Everything Lifestyle Staff

Coping Strategies

Natural Remedies to Manage Chronic Pain

Aug 6, 2024 | 7:02 AM

Many people live with chronic pain – pain that doesn’t go away or comes and goes repeatedly. Persistent pain can be debilitating and can greatly affect your quality of life. Over time, you may not even be able to pinpoint where the pain is coming from or know how to make it better. You may also be at a loss for how to manage your pain because what works one day may not work the next.

Medications may be prescribed for pain, but they are not always the best solution for managing long-term pain. Even when they help, some people prefer not to take pain medications due to their side effects. That’s why many people with chronic pain look for natural ways to manage their symptoms and provide relief.

Here are 5 things you can do that may help reduce your chronic pain:

1. Stay physically active. If you are in pain, you may not feel like moving much, but activity may be just the thing you need to reduce pain and take your mind off of it. Gentle stretching helps loosen stiffness and provide pain relief. Moving also increases flexibility and mobility. Physical activity also helps to boost your mood, which can take a hit when you’re in pain. If you are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery, work with a physical therapist to get started.
2. Perform deep breathing exercises. Breathing exercises help people relax and focus their minds on something other than their pain. They’re easy to do and can be done anywhere. Simply inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your belly to expand. Hold the breath and then slowly exhale through your mouth. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is popular and involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds and breathing out for 8 seconds.
3. Focus on things that make you happy. Experiencing chronic pain can be stressful and anxiety-producing but one way to combat these feelings is to take time each day to engage in activities that make you happy. Whether you love listening to the birds in the morning or look forward to a nightly chat with a special friend, finding things that bring you joy and happiness can help you forget your pain, even if it’s only for a short time.
4. Embrace support and help. You may not feel like being around many people when you’re in pain but learn to accept help from family and friends, as well as companionship. It will make your life easier and will also provide you with a sense of well-being. Plus, spending time with people you care about will help you take your mind off of your pain.
5. Prioritize sleep. Getting enough quality sleep makes it easier to tackle anything that comes your way, including chronic pain. Create a calming routine before bed that helps ease you into slumber. Stick to a regular schedule of sleeping and waking each day. Don’t spend too much time sleeping because too much sleep may be as harmful to your health and pain experience as too little sleep.

If you are finding it difficult to manage chronic pain, feel it’s getting worse or are experiencing poor mental health due to your pain, ask your doctor for other recommendations on managing your pain, including pain treatment options, medications and therapies.

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_{Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD}