Changing Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain which lasts more than three months. Chronic pain is generally caused by three sources:  injury (such as an accident), an illness (such as cancer) or a nerve condition (such as neuropathy or fibromyalgia). Regardless of the cause, a lot of us are in pain: it is estimated that almost a third of the population suffers from chronic pain, over 100 million people.

Chronic pain affects patients in many ways. Some stop being able to do the things which previously brought them joy. They tend to retreat, become sedentary, and spend more time in isolation. It may affect their job, their family life, their social life, and their health beyond the scope of the cause of their pain. They become depressed, lose sleep, and struggle to be able to think clearly. They are forced rearrange their lives around their pain and pain management. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Patients with chronic pain are fighting back against the use of opioids--and winning. Many people are adverse to becoming dependent on opioids and like the control of being in charge of their pain management rather than risk addiction. By learning to use alternatives to manage their pain successfully, patients can reclaim their social, professional, and personal lives. They regain their health, find balance and peace. 

Combining effective therapeutic strategies

Pain management is generally a multi-pronged approach. Each patient requires a different approach to find a balance which will work in their particular circumstances. Patience, along with trial and error, is rewarded by substantive relief and outcome. Here are some of the tools which have proved to be successful:

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has been proven useful in many chronic pain situations, including neck, back, and spine injuries, carpal tunnel, sports injuries, and headache pain. Practitioners often report the emotional rewards of watching the face of a patient with debilitating suffering as they suddenly become free of pain.

Massage

Massage doesn’t just feel great: by manipulating muscles and tissues, circulation is increased, and the lymphatic and nervous systems are adjusted as well. Relaxation triggers self-healing mechanisms which improve mood and movement. 

Learning to manage chronic pain is not always straightforward, however, with some coping tools and having a team of practitioners who are eager to help,  patients now have more options than a pain-filled existence or long-term dependence on opioids. The essential thing is the willingness to seek a positive outcome, both for pain management and on the wellness of the body as a whole.