Chronic pain is a persistent, ongoing pain that lasts longer than the normal duration of the underlying medical condition that caused it. It limits your mobility, strength, and flexibility. It can lead to trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depression. People who have chronic pain often feel pain all of the time, even when they are not actively feeling their injured joint, ligament, or muscle. It can also be the distress associated with the stress of the injury, the emotional impact of a loss, or the physical suffering of an illness. There are many types of chronic pain, and not all chronic pain requires treatment. Some types of chronic pain are manageable naturally here are 5 ways to help you do it.
1. Monitor your Diet
Focus on food that helps reduce pain and inflammation such as omega-3 acids, leafy greens, hemp seeds, and soy products. Different people react to certain foods differently. Try to identify healthy food that improves your overall health. You can also grow some of these plants in your garden like leafy greens. You can also buy hemp seeds for growing online or in a local cereal shop. Avoid foods that may increase inflammation such as red meat, dairy, tomatoes, eggs, and chocolates.
2. Exercise
Exercise helps to improve circulation and reduce stiffness in joints. Try to do low-intensity exercises that don’t have a high impact. Running, in this case, may not work because it may increase the pain. Frequently take walks and light swimming, as they may reduce the pain.
3. Practice Yoga and Meditation
Meditation and yoga can help reduce chronic pain both physically and mentally. Yoga helps to relax and strengthen the muscles. Meditation and deep breathing help relax the body emotionally and reduce stress.
4. Heat Therapy
Massaging body parts that hurt such as headaches, and back or neck pain, with warm water helps relieve the pain. Heat increases the blood flow.
5. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is very important in relieving chronic pain and overall health. Getting quality sleep helps to manage stress and avoid weight gain.
Risk Factors for Chronic Pain
1. Ageing
As you get older, the body becomes more vulnerable to health problems that can cause chronic pain such as diabetes and arthritis. Older people who lived with a weakened immune system or had injuries before may also experience chronic pain at an older age.
2. Stress
Stress from work or personal life anxiety or mental abuse is connected to chronic pain causes.
3. Smoking and Unhealthy Lifestyle
Smoking causes medical conditions that lead to chronic pain. An unhealthy lifestyle that comes along with drug abuse and eating unhealthy foods leads to chronic diseases. Choosing to exercise regularly, eating healthy food, and abstaining from drugs keep away chronic pain.
4. Genetics
Some diseases run in the family and are repetitive to generations. Migraines are some of the chronic pain causes.
Different Types of Chronic Pain
1. Neuropathic Pain
This is a type of chronic pain that is caused by nerve damage or tissue injury. The damaged nerve fibers cause malfunction sending signals of pain to the brain. Neuropathic pain is brought by infections, surgeries, and accidents.
2. Nociceptive Pain
This pain is caused by physical pressure, inflammation of the body part, and injury. The nociceptors experience all body pain caused by extreme temperatures and hazardous chemicals.
3. Somatic Pain
The pain comes from injuries to the outer body such as arms, legs, face, and tendons. The pain is detected by the nerves located in the skin, muscles, and tissues.
4. Visceral Pain
The pain is detected in the internal body organs that have sensory nerves. They transmit the pain signals to the brain and include internal bleeding, cancer, stomach infections, and constipation.
Conclusion
Chronic pain is a serious condition that can cause significant distress. Chronic pain can be caused by an injury, surgery, or illness. The best way to manage your pain is to understand what caused it and take steps to prevent it. There are many medications and alternative therapies that are effective for managing chronic pain, but knowing how to manage it naturally is significant. Following the above ways can effectively help manage the pain for a healthy living.