8 Tips To Overcome Your Chronic Pain

In today’s daily living, it would be actually unusual if you didn’t have some kind of pain. Household chores, raising children, work, lack of exercise and even underlying health condition can all contribute to chronic pain. The thing is that either most people shrug it off thinking it’s just normal to feel sore because they’re tired or rely too much on painkillers to get by.

1.   Make Sure You Understand What Kind Of A Problem Pain Really Is

Pain is often dismissed and poorly treated because most people don’t see it as a health threat. But what you may not realize is that chronic pain is caused and maintained by a combination of physical, psychological and neurological factors.

2.   Acceptance

Sometimes, the reason why you’re still suffering from chronic pain is that you’re trying to keep your mind off it. Though not dwelling on it is good, not acknowledging it isn’t a good idea either. It’s like you’re trying to ignore the elephant in the room and that’s not gonna do you any good in the long run. You have to allow yourself to feel the anxiety, fear, anger, and grief that go with pain.

3.   Take Control

After many months or even years of pain and failed treatments, it’s easy to slip into feeling hopeless and that nothing can be done. But what’s that gonna result into? Is that gonna make you feel better emotionally and physically? The answer is pretty obvious. So you have to take charge of your condition. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to tell the doctor what you think and what you want, don’t be afraid to ask for stronger pain relief.

4.   Have A Good Working Relationship With Your Doctor

The doctor-patient relationship must be a two-way street. Although you rely on your doctor’s “expert” opinion for treatment advice, he depends on you for accurate information on which to base his decisions. It is your responsibility to describe your symptoms as accurately as possible and to report back regarding treatment outcomes, even if unfavorable. You should feel that you can talk to your doctor, that he listens and respects you, and be satisfied that he is working competently and thoroughly on your behalf. You also have a right to change doctors if you are dissatisfied.

Even if you have already consulted your primary health care provider, seeing a chiropractor here in Singapore would also benefit you. Because they may see something that your doctor has missed since chronic pain is usually due to musculoskeletal issues which chiropractors specialize in.

5.   Never Ignore Pain

It has become more popular to continue being active despite having chronic pain because inactivity only leads to depression and does not help the problem anyway. However, with certain types of pain, this can lead to a cycle of aggravation, sleep deprivation, exhaustion and increased pain and suffering, particularly if you are someone who typically ignores pain. So it would be best to find the balance between maintaining physical activity without aggravating your pain.

6.   Sleep!

Sleeping right don’t just mean completing certain hours of shut-eye, it also suggests that everything that involves your snooze time is right for you to ensure its quality. It’s necessary that you have the right mattress, proper height of pillows for your sleeping position to make sure you get your sleep well and not develop back pain and neck pain when you’re supposed to be easing them.

7.   Make Sure You Have Adequate Support

There are people who take pride in being emotionally tough to the extent that they avoid seeking other’s support especially when they’re feeling under the weather. The reality is it’s simply ridiculous to expect yourself to be able to cope on your own with a chronic illness that robs you of your ability to work love and play. Having adequate emotional support greatly increases your ability to cope. Talking to close family and friends is vital. A family talk with your doctor of psychologist can also help by enabling them to learn more about your condition and talk about things in a neutral environment.

8.   Forgive Yourself

The lost ability to work, love and play caused by chronic pain can create feelings of guilt and failure. Become aware of your own expectations and any feelings of shame or guilt and examine them critically. Chances are you didn’t ask to be in pain. Forgiveness and letting go of guilt will help you be more open to recovery.