More Effective Solutions for Managing Pain

There are a lot of things that could cause a person significant physical pain. A headache pulled muscle, a car accident, sports injury, or even chronic illness are just a few things that could leave you doubled over in pain and discomfort. In fact, depending on how bad the pain is it can make everyday activities hard to keep up with. Naturally, seeking relief is a top priority.

If you’re struggling with pain there are effective solutions to reducing or eliminating it. Check out the most effective solutions listed below.

Pain Medication

Likely one of the easiest ways to seek pain relief would be to take pain medication. Most over the counter medications will do the trick. If not, you can always ask your doctor to prescribe you something stronger. Just be sure to take the medication as instructed to avoid side effects or trouble with addiction.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a long-used method for managing pain. Using special techniques, massage therapists are able to help ease muscle tension and tightness, increase your flexibility and range of motion, reduce swelling and inflammation, improve blood circulation, and enhance your mood.

If you can afford to, schedule an appointment with a massage therapist to help work on problem areas. If you can’t afford a massage, there are affordable products on the market including vibrating and heated chairs to handheld massaging devices you can purchase and use at home.

Physical Therapy

For patients struggling with pain from an injury, surgery, or a chronic illness, physical therapy may be recommended by your doctor for relief. You can find centers that offer physical therapy in Lafayette, LA, or wherever you live.

During the appointment, a trained physical therapist will ask a series of questions and complete an evaluation to determine what your immediate needs are. Other than helping to manage pain, physical therapists are also trained to help enhance recovery and improve mobility. Over the course of a few sessions, your therapist will run exercises and utilize other therapeutic techniques to help you reach your goals.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heat and ice have been effective methods for reducing pain. This is especially true for people that suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, neck, or back pain. The heat helps to relieve tense muscles and stiff joints while cold works to relieve sharp pain and inflammation. When used together, patients have experienced less pain and stiffness in problem areas.

The best part about hot and cold therapy is that it’s very affordable and can be done at home. All you need is a way to apply each temperature. You can try a rag dipped in warm water or a heating pad for heat and an ice pack, frozen veggies, or some ice in a sandwich bag for cold therapy. Apply one of your temperature sources to the painful area on your body. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then switch to the other temperature. Repeat as often as you’d like.

Exercise

While you may not be thrilled about this next pain management solution, it can be very effective. Exercising can help to loosen tense muscles and stiff joints. When exercising, the body also increases the release of endorphins which not only boost your mood but block pain signals. Incorporating physical activity into your everyday life, can, therefore, make a significant difference in the amount of pain you experience.

Consult with your doctor in advance to find out what exercises are allowed. Then, find a physical activity that you enjoy doing best. Dedicate at least 30 minutes to an hour each day to exercise, ensuring to rest after.

Everyone has experienced some level of pain in their lifetimes. In most cases, the pain passes with medication, time, and self-care. However, when the pain experienced is intense or ongoing, it can have a significant impact on your life. The good news is that there are effective solutions you can turn to that will reduce or eliminate your pain allowing you to enjoy life once again.