Managing Your Health With Good Habits & Pain Therapy

Pain Management

Are you dealing with chronic or acute pain? If so, a pain management specialist can improve your life in many ways. Physiatrists can:

Help you understand the root cause of your pain
Give you alternative therapies to help manage and alleviate your pain
Guide you towards conservative care options
Wean you off harsh medications
Relieve your pain with injections or other minimally invasive procedures
Get you back to being more active and mobile again

Finding someone in your community who you trust to manage your care and develop your treatment plan is a great first step to feeling great again. Doctors who specialize in pain management are equipped to handle everything from chronic to acute pain and can help you get back to living your life without discomfort.

In addition, there are healthy habits that you can add to your routine that will help to cut down on pain-causing inflammation and lead a healthier, more comfortable life.

Pain Management Meditation, Exercises For Lower Back Pain & More

There are plenty of ways you can help take back your health, from pain management meditation to diet alterations to exercises for lower back pain and more.

Here are 5 daily habits to incorporate for a healthier life.

Incorporate a Chronic Pain Diet:

Pain is worsened by inflammation in the body, which occurs as the body’s response to anything that agitates it – including injury, environmental factors, and yes, food. To supplement your chronic pain diet and assist in decreasing inflammation, focus on incorporating fruits, veggies, and protein onto your plate. Things like leafy greens, beets, broccoli, and blueberries can work to decrease inflammation. Avoid things like alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and dairy, which can make your pain worse.

2. Pause for a Little Meditation:

It’s mind over matter—sort of! By meditating, you help your body release stress and tensions, as well as release endorphins, which helps you feel good…and have less pain!

Meditating even for a few minutes each day can also help you clear your head and stay focused throughout the day. New to meditating? Look up some self-guided meditation videos on YouTube to get started and ease into the practice.

3. Exercise & Stretch Daily:

Daily stretching can help relieve pain and increase mobility. Exercising will do that—and also help strengthen your body to protect from injuries and pain. The stronger you become, the healthier you become. Plus, exercising releases those feel-good endorphins that help relieve the sensation of pain. Exercising can also be a great time to clear your mind from stress and worry.

4. Listen to Your Body & Mind:

Take mental health breaks and relax! If your body is very sore and your mind is cluttered, anxious, or distracted, take some time to yourself. Read a book, take a walk, or sit and enjoy nature. Whatever it is, just do something to get yourself back in the game mentally, and physically. We all need a break sometimes!

5. Journal Your Pain:

Have a log of your pain. Write down your symptoms and log when they start and when they go away. Add in your diet and exercise habits. This will be a great log to discover triggers and helpful habits and will help a pain management specialist understand your lifestyle. Be sure to share this with whoever is in charge of your pain management care.

The bottom line is you can do many small things to have a major effect on your health and pain levels—in a positive way! What can you do today to feel better?