Sophie Okolo, MPH

Living with chronic pain can feel like a never-ending battle. It affects all aspects of your life, from managing your daily tasks to your relationships and lifestyle, and can be mentally, physically, and financially straining. Statistics show that 1 in 5 adults experience chronic pain. While medication and treatments might help you, it’s not usually enough to alleviate your symptoms and live a painless life. Fortunately, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help ease the pain and make your life a little better.

• Exercise regularly

Chronic pain can be very crippling, but not moving is bad for your body and can cause more pain. Exercise is a great way to improve your physical movement, especially when you have chronic pain. It keeps your muscles active and can even reverse your symptoms. Weaker muscles make you more susceptible to pain and can lead to more injuries. However, not all exercise routines may be suitable for you. Be sure to keep the exercises light and easy on your body. Brisk walks and light jogging are excellent options and do not require much effort. When you keep exercise a part of your daily or weekly routine, it can reduce the number of flare-ups you get and help you feel more controlled.

It is also advisable to consult your doctor. They can help you find a routine that you can carry out and would help alleviate pain from the right areas. They could help you draw up an effective fitness plan and schedule to avoid more pain and injuries.

• Try alternative treatments

Using alternative treatments can be a great way to make your life with chronic pain much easier. The great thing is you can use these treatments in addition to other prescribed treatments. However, they are also effective on their own. Common alternative treatment methods include massage therapy, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, and cupping. Medical cannabis is another treatment method that has grown extremely popular in recent years, even though it hasn’t been approved to treat other conditions.

Cannabis can be inhaled, applied, or even ingested. Most products come in capsules, oils, creams, or joints. You can use a doob tube to store your products safely. It would be best if you always talked with your healthcare professional before taking any cannabis. 

• Learn to relax

Chronic pain causes a lot of stress, and stress, in turn, can cause muscle tension. When your muscles tense up, it can increase the amount of pain you feel. When you allow your muscles to relax, it reduces your pain and helps you control it better. Different approaches help you relax better and lessen your pain, including yoga, meditation, tai chi, and Qigong. Plus, you get an added benefit of gentle exercise. 

Living with chronic pain can be stressful and cause discomfort and affect how you live your life. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to make your life more comfortable and live with your pain much better.