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Chronic pain is on the increase. Lifestyle factors, injuries, trauma and disease mean that many people must live with physical discomfort for the majority of their lives.
Short-term pain is usually manageable. However, if it runs on for weeks and months at a time, it can become difficult to deal with indeed.
Fortunately, there are now many science-based methods of coping that could help improve your quality of life tremendously.
Take More Healthy Fats Into Your Diet
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
Processed oils and fat from meat are pro-inflammatory. That means that if you consume these products, you are much more likely to experience pain.
However, not all fats are pro-inflammatory. In fact, things like nuts, seeds, and avocados are actively anti-inflammatory.
If you eat a lot of animal fats, try replacing them with plant fats from natural sources. You should immediately notice a difference.
Try Optical Illusions
Another odd method of dealing with chronic pain is to use novel ways to distract your brain.
For instance, researchers took a group of arthritis patients and got them to put their fingers in boxes. The photo box then showed an image of their fingers being manipulated and twisted from side to side. Seeing increased mobility in the joint helped arthritis patients to feel better.
Why this effect occurs is still unknown. However, researchers believe that it works by manipulating the cognitive element of pain. When the brain thinks that the tissue is healthy, it is less likely to generate a pain response.
Using Curse Words
Traditionally, people coped with pain by putting a bit in their mouth and chomping down on it like racehorses. But research shows that shouting curse words might actually be more effective.
Cursing seems to help make people more tolerant of pain. That might be why so many regular gym-goers also swear when they lift heavyweights.
Again, why cursing would reduce the perception of pain is still very much a mystery. However, the latest theory is that it breaks the link between pain and perception temporarily.
Using Exercise
When you are in pain, exercising is usually the last thing that you want to do. But it is critical because of how it changes brain chemistry. Being active produces natural endorphins which bind to sites in the nervous system, actually blocking pain.
Exercise is also critical for people who are in pain because it keeps your weight down and the cardiovascular system in check. It also controls blood sugar levels, reducing the likelihood that diabetes will develop.
Join A Support Group
Joining a support is one of the best things you can do to cope with chronic pain. The knowledge that there are other people out there like you can help in itself.
It is also a good idea if somebody else accepted liability for your chronic pain. Dealing with the fact that someone did this to you can be a real challenge. Support groups can help with feelings of grief and anger, improving your emotional state which can then improve your overall pain levels.
Don’t Smoke
Not smoking is a good idea in general, but it is particularly critical for people who are in pain. Smoking makes pain worse by damaging the surfaces that line the body (particularly in the airways and the blood vessels). It also harms the brain directly and may make the perception of pain worse.
Get A Massage
Massage is a wonderful remedy for chronic pain. Not only does it feel good, but it also disrupts the nervous system. Massage sends positive sensation signals to the brain which mask and even eliminate the negative ones. Getting a body rub might feel painful occasionally, but at the same time, you can feel that it is doing you good. In many ways, it is a cathartic experience.
Focus Your Diet On Vegetables
Don’t stick with your regular diet if you have chronic pain: that will likely only make it worse. Instead, switch to a diet of primarily fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. These foods naturally support your health, promote recovery.
Fast For A Long Time
If you have the option of going to a medically-supervised fasting location for chronic pain, then you should. You’ll notice that going on a long fast – more than five days – can help your body repair and return to normal. After a while “all the lumps and bumps start to fall off” and you can feel how you did when you were a teenager again.
Why does fasting work so well for chronic pain? It works because it renews all the body’s systems. Cells clear out all their trash, including any toxic junk, which often leads to a reduction in pain. If you feel this would help you, speak to a qualified medical practitioner.
Use Distractions
If you have chronic pain, you’ll notice that sometimes it is okay, and sometimes it is really bad. But why is it sometimes tolerable?
Usually, it’s because you’re distracted by something else. It is only when you focus on the pain that it becomes unacceptable.
You can keep yourself distracted by being busy. Focus on your work, cook yourself healthy meals, and spend as much time as possible being active if you have the option.
Use A Vibration Machine
Machines that vibrate around 100 times per second are scientifically demonstrated to reduce perceptions of pain. And it’s not just because they offer a distraction. It appears that the vibrations themselves disrupt the nerves, preventing them from sending pain signals to the brain.
There are many types of vibration machines available. Some are like mats that you lie on. Others are hand held and come into contact with parts of your body causing you pain.
Sit And Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can make a substantial difference in your quality of life. Research shows that people who do as little as 20 minutes per day can experience tremendous relief in their pain and symptoms.
So, in summary, if you are in pain, there are things that you can do to take care of yourself. You don’t just have to grit and bear it.