Overview
According to a report published by the Institute of Medicine in June 2016, more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain in one form or another. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for 6 months or longer. This condition can cause serious disruptions in everyday life, from caring for one’s self, family, and home, to negatively impacting job performance or ability to work at all.
In the past, the most common go-to treatment for chronic pain was medication. However, in a day and age when addiction to painkillers has become an addiction and has led to other, often deadly, forms of drug addiction, strong pain medications are no longer a feasible choice as a primary form of treatment. Of course succumbing to the pain and ending up bedridden is also not an option. Therefore, those who live with chronic pain must find other means of keeping it under control so that they may go about their daily lives in as normal and productive a manner as possible. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions from chronic pain sufferers which in some cases do include the use of a bit of mild medication in conjunction with other ways of controlling pain. As with any health-related plan, be sure to consult with your doctor before undertaking any regimen:
1. EXERCISE: For many people who suffer with chronic pain, the idea of exercising in order to control the pain sounds ridiculous and impossible. However, in many instances, the right type of exercise can bring relief from the pain as well as several other health benefits. It is very important that you consult with your doctor to confirm that exercise is the right choice for you and to get advice and recommendations as to which exercises would be beneficial to your specific condition.
2. PHYSICAL THERAPY
Depending on the cause of your chronic pain, various forms of physical therapy are available which can help to alleviate stress or stiffness in a certain area which may be responsible for some of the pain. Occasionally physical therapy is used along with a mild medication such as a muscle relaxer when this would be beneficial to relieving issues within the muscle or surrounding tissue which may be causing pain. Again, your doctor can best advise you as to whether this choice is right for you.
3. HYPNOTHERAPY
Hypnotherapy involves being placed into a heightened state of mental focus by a licensed hypnotherapist in which your body can be directed into a state of relaxation in order to relieve some types of chronic pain. This type of treatment has been proven to be especially effective with conditions such as fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions which affect the body’s central nervous system. Hypnotherapy does not require the use of any medications, only the natural healing abilities of the body and the mind.
There are many alternatives to highly addictive medications for those who suffer with chronic pain. Take the time to do a bit of research on your own and consult with medical experts to find the right choice for you.
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