Nearly 1 in 5 adults experience chronic pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This debilitating condition — defined as pain lasting three months or more — can negatively affect day-to-day life and have serious long-term health consequences. Chronic pain is linked to depression, Alzheimer’s, substance abuse and suicide risk. Therefore, finding a path to effective pain management is essential for pursuing a better quality of life.
Chronic pain is complex, and pain management is highly personal. Your family and medical history, personal biology and many other factors can affect the path to pain reduction. There is no one-size-fits-all cure for chronic pain, but there are steps you can take to deal with it.
The first step is to involve your primary care provider. Describe your pain and how it’s affecting your daily life. Talk about the activities and tasks you can no longer do comfortably or at all. Be candid about the emotional toll that chronic pain is taking on your life. Is it affecting your relationships? Are you sleeping poorly? Come to your appointment ready to share details.
Based on your symptoms, your provider might recommend medication, which may include over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen or prescriptiononly drugs such as antidepressants. By following your provider’s recommendations, you can balance both your safety and pain relief.
Try to be patient with the process and consistent with taking medications as prescribed. It often takes time to figure out the optimal medication, and your needs might evolve as your pain changes.
Many chronic pain sufferers find relief from other methods. Massage, for example, can reduce inflammation and increase flexibility. The nonprofit U.S. Pain Foundation points to modified exercise, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, and mindfulness and meditation as other paths toward pain relief.
If nontraditional pain relief options interest you, ask your care team. This is especially important if you’re curious about taking vitamins or herbal supplements for pain relief, since mixing medications and supplements can have dangerous effects. Your care team will help you pursue pain relief safely.
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