We tend to think all pain is bad – but that’s not actually true. Pain is your body’s method of sending a signal to use that something is wrong, and we need to stop. Without pain, we might not realise we have broken a bone or have cut ourselves. However, if pain is not going away it can affect our daily existence to the point where we lose all quality of life. Let’s look at how you can manage chronic pain to enjoy your life to the max.
Story Stages
1. Chiropractic Treatment
There are many therapies, both ancient and modern to tackle pain. The most important thing is to find the source of the pain and to devise a treatment plan that is suitable. Chiropractic therapy deals with issues related to the musculoskeletal system and involves manipulation of the spine and lifestyle adjustments to relieve pain. It can prove effective with a range of conditions including sports injuries, herniated discs, chronic back pain.
2. Physical Therapy
Whether you are a pro athlete, recovering from surgery or the survivor of an accident, you may need physical therapy to realign and strengthen your body and regain full mobility. This can help with muscle performance where there is weakness, and co-ordination and balance. Physical therapy usually takes place at a designated gym area at the clinic where professionals will conduct a full assessment before devising a training plan.
3. Acupuncture and Cupping
Acupuncture is an ancient art of pain relief but one that is becoming more mainstream in Western medicine. Using tiny needles, these are inserted at certain pressure points around the body to stimulate the body to heal itself. Most recipients of acupuncture state they feel little discomfort, and studies have shown it stimulates they flow of endorphins – the body’s natural pain relief. Cupping also hails from the East, where suction cups are applied to the skin (usually on the back). The suction draws the blood to the injured site, thus accelerating healing.
4. Conventional Pain Management
Conventional pain management may use heat or cold to reduce inflammation and pain, and of course anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs. While this type of medication can be useful for acute pain relief, it’s not wise to use it long term to manage pain. Prolonged use can increase the risks of peptic ulcers, kidney failure and stroke. Likewise using opioid-based painkillers long term can result in dependency, thus replacing one problem with another.
5. Contemporary pain management
There have been medical breakthroughs in how pain can be treated. Many state-of-the-art clinics may use a combination of treatments described above in conjunction with injection therapy. Particularly helpful for conditions that do not wholly respond to conventional treatments, arthritis, and muscle spasms, injection therapy can provide almost instant relief with little discomfort. It can help you back to full functionality using the latest technology.
A life lived in pain is a life half lived, so if pain is stopping you from really enjoying all that life has to offer, find a physical therapist near you and start living again!
