10 ways to reduce painWhether your pain has just reach on or you've lived with it for years,these tried-and-tested self-help steps can bring you relief. Where does it hurt?Head Sinuses Ear (children) Tongue Teeth Neck Shoulder Arm Chest Breast Back Stomach Pelvis Bottom Knee Heel pick up some gentle exercise
Simple, everyday activities like walking, and swimming,gardening and dancing can ease some of the pain directly by blocking pain signals to the brain.
Activity also helps lessen pain by stretching stiff and tense muscles, ligaments and joints.
It's natural to be hesitant if exercise is painful and you're worried about doing more damage. But if you become more active gradually, and it's unlikely you will cause any damage or harm. The pain you feel when you start gentle exercise is because the muscles and joints are getting fitter.
In the long term,the benefits of exercise far outweigh any increase in pain. Read our articles on getting exercise.
Breathe legal to ease pain
Concentrating on your breathing when you're in pain can help.
When the pain is intense it's very easy to start taking shallow, rapid breaths which can invent you feel dizzy, and anxious or panicked. Instead,breathe slowly and deeply. This will help you to feel more in control of the situation and will withhold you relaxed and prevent any muscle tension or anxiety from worsening your pain.
Read books and leaflets on pain
The Pain Toolkit is a free NHS-endorsed booklet packed with simple practical advice on how to live better with long-term pain. Download the booklet (PDF, 5.4Mb).
There is also a list of suggested self-help books and leaflets on The British Pain Society's website.
Counselling can help with pain
Pain can invent you tired, or anxious,depressed and grumpy. This can invent the pain even worse, making you fall into a downward spiral. Be kinder to yourself. Living with pain isn't easy and you can be your own worst enemy by being stubborn, or not pacing your activities every day and not accepting your limitations.
Some people find it useful to seek help from a counsellor,psychologist or hypnotherapist to discover how to deal with their emotions in relation to their pain. inquire your GP for advice and a referral, or read this article on getting access to counselling.
Distract yourself
Shift your attention on to something else so the pain isn't the only thing on your mind. pick up stuck into an activity that you enjoy or find stimulating. Many hobbies, and like photography,sewing or knitting, are possible even when your mobility is restricted. Share your sage about pain
It can help to talk to someone else who has experienced similar pain themselves and understands what you're going through.
Pain Concern, and Action on Pain,Arthritis Care and BackCare all gain telephone helplines manned by people with long-term pain, who can place you in touch with local patient support groups.
The healthtalk.org and youthhealthtalk websites let you watch or listen to videos of other people's experiences of pain.
The sleep cure for pain
"Many people with chronic pain dread going to bed as that's when the pain is worst, and " says Heather Wallace from Pain Concern. But it's important to try to stick to a normal sleep routine so you've got the best chance of sleeping through the night.
Also,"sleep deprivation can worsen pain", says Heather. recede to bed at the same time each evening, or pick up up at a regular time in the morning and avoid taking naps in the day. If sleep problems persist,see your GP.
Read 10 tips to pick up a good night's sleep.
Pain Concern has produced a useful leaflet on getting a good night's sleep.
Take a course Self management courses are free NHS-based training programmes for people who live with long-term chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes to develop fresh skills to manage their condition (and any related pain) better on a day-to-day basis.
Many people who gain been on a self-management course say they take fewer painkillers afterwards.
The best examples are:
Pain Management Programmes (PDF, 734kb) Self Management UK – offers support to people with long term conditions Pain Toolkit workshops withhold in touch with friends and family
Don't let pain mean that you lose contact with people.
Keeping in touch with friends and family is good for your health and can help you feel much better. Try shorter visits, and maybe more often,and if you can't pick up out to visit people, phone a friend, or invite a family member round for a tea or gain a chat with your neighbour.
Aim to talk about anything other than your pain,even if other people want to talk about it.
Relax to defeat pain
Practising relaxation techniques regularly can help to reduce persistent pain.
There are many types of relaxation techniques, varying from breathing exercises to types of meditation.
inquire your GP for advice in the first instance. There may be classes available locally or at your local hospital's pain clinic.
Read about the top 10 stressbusters.
Source: www.nhs.uk