As we age it is not unusual to develop painful symptoms for a variety of reasons. Our bodies become more delicate, and are subject to ailments associated with some degree of pain, such as osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal illness, neuropathic illness, and chronic joint diseases. All these ailments are unfortunately common and hard to treat.
Because of the pain, many ordinary life activities can be rendered difficult. Sometimes the pain can be so debilitating that sufferers withdraw, slowdown, and stop moving. Reacting this way only makes matters worse. Yes, even if it is true that a complete cure is not available, there are still many things that can be done to improve the experience of the pain, and certainly preventing the chronic pain from progressing and getting worse.
Here are several steps a person can take to easily deal with this painful issue:
- It is key that the person suffering chronic pain continues to maintain an active lifestyle. One of the main causes of chronic pain is a sedentary lifestyle. To stay in good shape our body needs to stay fit. Even the simplest of tasks, like getting up from a chair or walking can become difficult if we let our muscles deteriorate to such a point that they can barely support our bodies.
- Medication can help a lot in dealing with pain. Anti-inflammatory medications treat muscular issues that cause pain, while aspirin treats the pain as a symptom. Unfortunately, if these simple medications are not effective, many doctors will prescribe opiates, which can have bad side effects. Opiates are a great solution for temporary pain which is being treated and is expected to pass.
- TENS is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This is a common treatment for chronic pain which is caused by muscular problems. Using low voltage electricity, a current is passed into the muscles, creating impulses that the nerves detect. As the nerves are stimulated, the pain is lowered to manageable levels. Since this treatment has no side effects, it is preferable to drugs.
- Bones and joints can move out of their natural positions as a result of inflammation and muscle tension, especially over a period of time. This movement can permanently reduce mobility and cause pain levels to increase. Chiropractors can re-position bones into their correct configurations, substantially reducing chronic pain. Another treatment which can be helpful without side effects is message therapy. Message forces tense muscles to relax but although this might be only a temporary solution, often, prolonged message over time can substantially reduce the level of pain and increase comfort.
- An important element in reducing pain is to control stress. When under stress our bodies react with increased blood pressure and muscle tension. Increased muscle tension increases pain. This situation is a vicious cycle which is hard to break. Luckily, the treatment for stress is easy. Just go do something relaxing, like sitting in the sun, visiting or phoning friends and relatives, or doing whatever brings you joy.
