8 tips for managing chronic pain - Mayo Clinic Health System

Living with chronic pain can be debilitating. It can impact all aspects of your life. Not only can it affect you physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

Along with seeking care from professionals in pain management Jacksonville FL, there are some other things you can do to reduce your pain and improve your life. Keep reading to learn what these things are.

Learn Meditation

Meditation and deep breathing are techniques that will help your entire body relax. This can help ease the pain. Tightness and tension are released from your muscles as they receive the message from your brain to relax.

While there are many ways to meditate, repetition is at the core of all meditation. Try to focus on your breath and ignore your thoughts. Repeat a mantra or word, which will help your entire body relax. Even though it is possible to learn meditation on your own, it can be beneficial to take a class.

Eliminate or Reduce Stress

All types of negative feelings, including anxiety, depression, anger, and stress, can increase your body’s overall sensitivity to pain. If you learn how to control your stress levels, you may find relief from chronic pain cases.

You can even find relaxation CDs or tapes that will help with eliminating stress. Another form of escape from stress is mental imagery. This can help you feel more peaceful.

Exercise

Endorphins are released when you exercise. These are chemicals in the brain that will help you improve your mood while blocking all pain signals. Another benefit of exercising is that it helps strengthen your muscles, eliminating further pain or re-injury. Also, exercising will help you keep your weight down, reduce the possibility of heart disease, and help you control your blood sugar levels. This is particularly beneficial if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Reduce Your Consumption of Alcohol

If you are in pain, you may find sleeping is difficult. Alcohol makes sleep issues worse. If you suffer from chronic pain, drink less or eliminate alcohol, which can help to improve your quality of life.

When it comes to chronic pain, there is no easy or quick fix. Being informed and knowing what you can do to reduce pain and increase your quality of life will help you in the long run. Keep the tips here in mind and work with your doctor to develop a plan of action that works for you.