Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and is tricky to control. Here are some of the most common mistakes pain sufferers make-and the smarter steps that will help you feel better.
Seek treatment sooner than later. Waiting can wreak havoc on your body and your mind. Muscles weaken and shrink and joints stiffen, setting you up for further injuries. It can lead to depression and even shrink your brain. One explanation is that the neurons are hyperactive for so long that it causes them to break down and die. If the pain persists, it may become less responsive to treatment because of the brain changes.
Study after study shows that exercise reduces all kinds of pain. It strengthens your muscles and oils your joints. It also releases natural pain-relieving endorphins, which can boost your mood, and it fights the inflammation associated with a number of painful conditions like gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Start slow and easy, especially if you’ve been sedentary for a few months. Swimming or aerobics, especially in warm water, makes it easier to move, takes pressure off joints, and reduces stiffness and pain. Treatments that physical therapists or practitioners offer have little evidence to support their effectiveness beyond short-term symptom relief.
Go for pain medications, physical therapy, or exercise first. To treat back pain, for example, experts recommend trying a combination of at least 6 months before discussing surgical options. Many people will improve enough to either avoid or no longer be eligible for surgery.
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