Are You Suffering From Chronic Pain? Know How To Stop It!

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can have a profound impact on your quality of life. It can make it difficult to perform everyday activities and, if left untreated, may even lead to depression. The first thing to do is to identify the source of your pain.

Only a doctor can help you here, as they can perform a physical exam and order tests and scans to make a definitive diagnosis. If you already know the cause of your pain, turn your attention to not aggravating your condition. There are many things that can worsen your perception of pain.

In addition to medical treatment, there are several self-care measures you can take at home to help manage your chronic pain. In this article, we will talk about some of the things you can do to help with improving how you experience pain. First and foremost, never self-treat yourself if you have chronic or debilitating pain, or if your pain symptoms last longer than a couple of weeks.

Ways To Relieve Chronic Pain

1. Get regular exercise – Exercise releases endorphins, which have natural analgesic effects. Regular physical activity can also help reduce inflammation throughout the body. If you have orthopedic pain, you must be careful and choose the right type of exercise that benefits you and doesn’t aggravate your condition. Consult an orthopedic doctor or physical therapist for appropriate exercises.
2. Eat to manage chronic pain – Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish and olive oil has been shown to help with inflammation and joint stiffness while avoiding processed foods loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats can lead to improved gut health, which is important for overall wellness. Keep track of what foods aggravate your symptoms and avoid them. Some people find that adding supplements like turmeric and ginger into their diet helps with pain. Consult your doctor before you start any supplement or change your diet.
3. Practice stress relief techniques – Stress can exacerbate existing pain symptoms. Managing stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga may help lessen the sensitivity of your nervous system and therefore reduce discomfort. Breathing exercises are another simple but effective way to relieve stress when you’re experiencing acute pain.
4. Apply heat and cold therapy – Applying heat or cold packs alternatively can help relieve muscle tension associated with some types of pain, particularly those caused by arthritis or minor injuries. Alternatively, you can take warm baths or showers.

A Better Idea: Consult a Pain Management Doctor

If you suffer from pain, it can easily take over your life. However, this should not be the case. Here’s what you can do: consult a pain management doctor. The entire focus of this medical specialist is to relieve patients’ pain symptoms. In addition to self-care measures, a pain management doctor offers a variety of interventional treatments, which block pain signals, so that your pain is dramatically improved.

Treatment for Chronic Pain in St. Peters, O’Fallon & Wentzville, MO

At Advanced Bone & Joint, our board-certified and fellowship-trained pain management doctor Dr. Zachary P. Fallon is highly experienced in treating chronic pain. Dr. Fallon’s treatments are comprehensive and highly individualized for each patient. He will work closely with you to help you achieve the desired results.

Call our office today at (636) 229-4222 to schedule a consultation, or use our online request form.