Pain is an alert system, enabling the body to inform the brain when it is in danger. Pain can arise quickly or gradually, with degrees of intensity and frequency. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that chronic pain often develops from acute pain when the body does not receive adequate care. Pain experts and authors Dr. Ann Myers and Dr. Angela Koestler mentioned that although cancer and heart disease are deadlier, chronic pain more commonly leads to disability than either of those illnesses.
Here are six tips to help you with chronic pain management, as discussed in Healthline in 2013:
Drink plenty of water
Failure to drink enough water can increase the intensity of headaches and back pain, per the Mayo Clinic. Stay hydrated with pure water, rather than coffee, juice, or soft drinks.
Eat certain foods
If you remove processed items from your diet, you can reduce the inflammation that fuels chronic pain, states research featured in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. An anti-inflammatory diet consists of cold-water fish (oily fleshed and wild caught), such as salmon or sardines; asparagus; leafy greens; and fruits with minimal sugars, such as cherries or pineapple.
Avoid certain foods
The best way to achieve pain management, says Healthline, is to avoid foods with components that boost the inflammatory response:
- nightshade veggies
- milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy
- chocolate
- eggs
- orange, lemon, grapefruit, and other citrus
- beef, lamb, and other red meat with large quantities of fat
- wheat, barley, and other gluten-containing grains.
Try turmeric
This spice has an anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin that can help to reduce chronic pain. Curcumin allows the body to respond naturally to inflammation, with no risk to the kidneys or liver. Turmeric makes the ligaments more supple and supports general immunity, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. You can have turmeric with just about any entrée or side dish. You can also stir a small amount into tea.
Practice mindfulness
In an age so saturated with stress, we can turn to loosening and calming techniques that have been passed down through the centuries. Yoga allows us to get physically fit while we decompress. The Mayo Clinic recommends yoga as a therapy to bring down stress levels, particularly important for pain management.
Discuss your discomfort
Finally, it helps to get everything out in the open. As Healthline notes, “Talking about your pain may help reduce its effects.”
Talking is the first step with all of our patients. Stop suffering. Book your free consultation today.
Sources:
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/chronic-pain-management