Pain is a warning sign and a normal body reaction to an injury or illness. When the injury or illness heals, you stop experiencing pain. However, for many people, pain doesn’t go away but continues despite medications and other treatments. Such long-standing pain that carries on for longer than 4 weeks is called chronic pain.
When chronic pain is not managed properly, you face obstacles and difficulties you wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. All these obstacles and challenges can make it easy for you to react in ways that may seem helpful but are detrimental.
Let’s discuss the top 10 mistakes you should avoid while having chronic pain and where you can go for effective pain management in Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, or Illinois.
#1 Allowing Pain to Rule Your Life
Chronic pain can significantly affect your physical, emotional, and mental health. While it can be challenging to deal with chronic pain, you shouldn’t let it rule your life.
Instead, you should find ways to fix it.
#2 Misusing Pain Medications
Pain medication never treats the root cause of your pain; instead, they block pain signals for some time. After the prescribed duration of action, pain medication becomes ineffective.
People with chronic pain tend to overuse pain medications to find relief from pain, which can not only result in several side effects but also have addiction potential (in the case of opioids). So, you should avoid using pain meds to mask your symptoms; instead, you should focus on treating the root cause of your pain.
#3 Overwhelming Yourself During Pain-free Period
People with chronic pain feel a lot better – in fact, almost like normal – at times. So, in this “feel good” duration, they overexert themselves, which later increases the amount of their pain.
It’s advised to take frequent breaks and often rest, even during a pain-free period.
#4 Not Learning your Pain Pattern
Chronic pain patients may have a particular pain pattern that they often ignore. For example, certain things or emotions make the pain worse. So, learn your pain pattern and then try avoiding the things that increase your pain and do things that alleviate it.
#5 Limiting Movements and Exercises
Another common mistake is limiting or even avoiding your movements and exercise altogether. While resting is a good idea, staying sedentary can worsen your pain. So, engage in a light activity even when dealing with chronic pain.
#6 Not Managing Your Stress
Stress and anxiety can significantly contribute to your chronic pain. So, people with chronic pain should create a positive coping mechanism to manage stress. For this, participate in activities you enjoy and surround yourself with people you love.
#7 Not Making Lifestyles Changes
Modifying your lifestyle can reduce the instances that may contribute to chronic pain. So, make some positive lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy and nutritious food, taking breaks during physical activities, exercising, etc.
#8 Not Considering Alternative Treatments
People with chronic pain think that medication or surgery is their only treatment. But that’s not true. Chronic pain patients can benefit from various alternative treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy, trigger point therapy, and acoustic sound wave therapy.
#9 Trying Ineffective Treatments for Too Long
Effective pain management therapy leads to regular improvement. So, if you’ve been using a particular treatment but are not seeing any improvement, explore other options.
#10 Not Visiting a Pain Management Specialist
Most people think their pain is for life and that they’ve to live with it, but that’s not the right way. You should visit a pain management specialist for a thorough evaluation of your chronic pain. Your healthcare provider can also use a variety of pain management modalities like electric nerve stimulation therapy, trigger point therapy, and red-light therapy to provide relief.
Chronic Pain Management at NIVA Health
If you or your loved one is having chronic pain and seeking lasting relief, our healthcare providers at NIVA Health have got you covered. Our providers use a drug-free, all-natural approach to treat and manage chronic pain.
To make an appointment with our provider, call us today at 866) 377-5872, or schedule your initial consultation by filling in our online appointment request form.
