Lifestyle Tips for Managing Chronic Pain

When you are living with chronic pain most days, it can feel like you are just going through the motions. You are there, but not really present. Pain medication can be a good option for acute symptoms of flare-ups, but it is rarely the ultimate answer for chronic pain. So what are you supposed to do to battle back against chronic pain and begin living your life in a more functional and positive way? The team at Jersey Premier Pain suggests incorporating some of these lifestyle changes into your routine.

Try Meditation

Meditation is more than just sitting on the floor and chanting “ohm” over and over again. There are numerous forms of meditation. It just takes a little trial and error to find the form and techniques that work best for you and your lifestyle. Some medical studies have shown that meditation helps lessen pain in those who suffer chronic pain or painful conditions. There is speculation that it works by retraining the brain and helping to form new neural pathways that help the body better cope with pain signals.

From mindful meditation to breathwork, visualization meditation, and body scanning, how do you know where to begin? It can seem confusing and overwhelming, but start with one technique and give it a few weeks. If it doesn’t work or you can’t stick to a routine, try another technique until you find one that resonates with you. Books and meditation apps are a good place for beginners to start.

Use Massage Therapy

Massage is a great way to relax and unwind, but it is also a useful practice for helping to mitigate chronic pain as well. While massage can be an effective and targeted pain relief tool, it is also a proven stress reliever. Negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and frustration can increase the body’s sensitivity to pain sensations.

Promoting relaxation and stress relief allows your body and mind to overcome these negative emotions and restores your balance. Massage also helps the body release toxins stored in the muscles and helps fluid move through the lymphatic system. Lymphatic massage is particularly helpful for those dealing with the pain of fibromyalgia.

Keep Goals Small and Manageable

Do an internet search, and you’ll find dozens of websites with tips on how you can manage your chronic pain. All this information can seem overwhelming. One of the best tips for managing pain is to keep your goals small, manageable, and realistic. Yes, eating better and working out will help with chronic pain.

Is it reasonable to expect that you’ll only eat salads and run a marathon next month? No. Setting the bar too high sets you up for failure, which makes you feel depressed or stressed, which feeds into negativity and more pain. It can become an endless cycle that actually increases your pain, not decreases it.

Start small. Eat better twice a week, and work up from there. Take a walk around the block in the evening. Next time make the walk just a little longer. Try making a massage or acupuncture appointment. Little changes can add up to big results and make you feel more empowered in your pain management journey.

Jersey Premier Pain Can Help

Pain can easily overwhelm a person and take over their entire life. Instead of something that is a part of them, it becomes something that defines them. Don’t let pain define you. Reach out talk to the experts at Jersey Premier Pain about your pain and your goals for managing it. We have a range of therapies that help people manage their chronic pain and regain control of their life.

Want to know more about how we can help you? Contact us today by calling 201-386-8800, and we’ll help craft an individual plan based on your needs. Take back your life with help from Jersey Premier Pain.