Chronic pain affects 42-50 million Americans, according to the American Pain Foundation, which translates to 1 in 3 people living in the United States. A recent survey by the American Academy of Pain Medicine found that only 58% of people with chronic pain benefit from the most comprehensive treatments with painkilling prescription drugs.
What is Chronic Pain?
Pain is our body’s warning system. It signals that the overworked or damaged muscles inside us need attention. Prolonged pain, which lasts longer than 3 months, is considered chronic. It can strike anywhere in our body and ranges from mild to severe symptoms.
What Causes Chronic Pain?
Many times, the pain can be traced back to an injury that takes too much time to heal. Other times, there is no apparent cause – no prior injuries and an absence of tissue damage.
Chronic Pain Risk Factors
Health Conditions (i.e., Fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis depression, joint injuries, limb amputation, and surgery)
Weakened Immune System
Smoking
Poor health habits (i.e., eating too much junk good, living a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol dependence etc.)
Emotional Stress
5 Ways to Manage Chronic Pain
Heat – Moist heat helps alleviate joint pain. You can either try soaking in a bath tub or wrapping a moist, heated towel around the area that is most painful.
Drink Plenty of Water – Staying hydrated with water can lead to a decrease in intensity of headaches and back pain.
Reduce Stress – Feelings of anxiety and anger tend to increase your body’s sensitivity to pain. Learning to control any negative emotions can help ease discomfort. Listening to music, meditation and deep breathing are just a few ways to relax and block out pain.
Give Up Bad Habits – Bad habits like drinking excessive alcohol and smoking cigarettes makes chronic pain worse. It can also intensify depression and anxiety and disrupt your sleeping patterns.
Distract yourself – A very efficient and easy way to forget about your chronic back pain is by occupying your mind with other things.
What is Chronic Pain?
Pain is our body’s warning system. It signals that the overworked or damaged muscles inside us need attention. Prolonged pain, which lasts longer than 3 months, is considered chronic. It can strike anywhere in our body and ranges from mild to severe symptoms.
What Causes Chronic Pain?
Many times, the pain can be traced back to an injury that takes too much time to heal. Other times, there is no apparent cause – no prior injuries and an absence of tissue damage.
Chronic Pain Risk Factors
Health Conditions (i.e., Fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis depression, joint injuries, limb amputation, and surgery)
Weakened Immune System
Smoking
Poor health habits (i.e., eating too much junk good, living a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol dependence etc.)
Emotional Stress
5 Ways to Manage Chronic Pain
Heat – Moist heat helps alleviate joint pain. You can either try soaking in a bath tub or wrapping a moist, heated towel around the area that is most painful.
Drink Plenty of Water – Staying hydrated with water can lead to a decrease in intensity of headaches and back pain.
Reduce Stress – Feelings of anxiety and anger tend to increase your body’s sensitivity to pain. Learning to control any negative emotions can help ease discomfort. Listening to music, meditation and deep breathing are just a few ways to relax and block out pain.
Give Up Bad Habits – Bad habits like drinking excessive alcohol and smoking cigarettes makes chronic pain worse. It can also intensify depression and anxiety and disrupt your sleeping patterns.
Distract yourself – A very efficient and easy way to forget about your chronic back pain is by occupying your mind with other things.
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