Tag Archives: coping skills

4 Strategies For Dealing With Chronic Pain

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4 Strategies For Dealing With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can be debilitating to live with on a daily basis. According to the National Health Interview Survey, a comprehensive study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 21% of adults in 2021 experienced daily pain, while a more recent study for 2023 found higher numbers of chronic pain cases at 52.4 per 1,000 persons per year. Chronic pain can stem from a multitude of conditions, each with its unique challenges. From arthritis and fibromyalgia to cancer, injuries, and many more, these conditions inflict the body, causing persistent discomfort and disruption to daily life.

Chronic pain often persists despite medications, necessitating a shift in lifestyle to accommodate fluctuating pain levels, energy, and capabilities. This adaptation empowers sufferers to take control of their condition and live their lives to the fullest, even on challenging days. This post is going to look at some ways that you can help ease chronic pain levels to reduce the impact it can have on your life:

The last thing you probably want to do when you’re in pain is move. However, being sedentary can make pain levels worse and cause a whole heap of issues for your body. It’s important to look at the type of movement you can do within your capabilities and incorporate as much or as little as you can each day. Movement for chronic pain can be simple stretches from bed as much as you can manage. It can be taking a short walk or even walking in place at home. For some people, it can be more intense movement like Pilates and yoga that helps build strength and keep the body moving. Find what works for you without making the pain worse, and move your body as much as possible.

Alternative treatments for chronic pain can be beneficial in helping when traditional medicines cannot. Acupuncture, using an acupressure mat, or visiting a chiropractor can provide some relief. Using products like CBD or THCA pre-rolls can assist in relaxing the body and help to soothe pain. Other treatments that can be beneficial for chronic pain include massages, cupping, meditation, and even biofeedback. It’s essential to use these strategies as part of your overall plan for dealing with your pain levels.

One factor that can make chronic pain worse is forcing yourself to be “normal” when you’re in constant pain, and if you’re trying to live your life as if you’re not in pain, the likelihood is, you will only make things worse and more painful for yourself. Instead of forcing yourself to do more, do less. Make adjustments for your capabilities, find workarounds, and cut yourself some slack. By accepting your condition and health status and working with it, not against, you’re setting yourself up for success.

Getting therapy for your chronic pain can be an excellent tool for helping you to move forward and cope with the stress of being in pain on a near-constant basis. That’s not to say the pain is in your head, but more that the mental toll of being in pain can be a lot to deal with, and many people experience depressive thoughts as they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. If beginning therapy is the step you want to take to improve your chronic pain, start by browsing websites like https://onebodyldn.com/physiotherapy-london (or similar clinics in your local area). Opt for a location with lots of good reviews and patients who expressed success in their testimonials. Therapy can help you to find coping strategies and methods for living your life while navigating complex pain.

We hope these ideas provide relief and lift your spirits!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sarah’s Sanity Update: Volume 2

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Sarah’s Sanity Update: Volume 2

Helloooo everyone and happy Tuesday! I hope all of you are having a great start to your week. I’m doing okay, in case you were wondering. This past week or so I’ve been stuck in this horrible rut of falling just below average as far as how I’m feeling goes. This sub-par cycle that I’ve been in sucks ass…It’s honestly more annoying than anything. Let’s discuss. (Warning: This post contains references to self harm and eating disorders. If that makes you uncomfortable, feel free not to read!)

^^^ It seemed appropriate since we’re going with a Britney motif this post!

So yes, it’s been an annoying week. I’m quite shocked that I’m feeling so blah because when I went to my psychiatrist at the beginning of the month she doubled my dose of Effexor. Now I’m on a considerably high amount and I still don’t feel much of a difference. I suppose in the mornings when I first take my pill I feel pretty good but then by the time late afternoon rolls around I’m ready to throw in the towel for the day. What sucks about these random weeks of feeling shitty is that when I start feeling upset is when I start getting all of these persistent urges to cut or purge…Don’t worry, I haven’t – but it’s SO hard not to. It’s really fucking exhausting, actually. Can you imagine going through the day with thoughts of self harm constantly swarming around your mind like flies? Welcome to my world.

The frustration that comes with this is what bothers me the most because I rarely do succumb to my temptations but they’re always there in the back of my mind no matter what. It seriously feels like a damned if I do and damned if I don’t situation. I mean, I always feel a sense of guilt after the euphoria of a self harm incident but not doing it brings me these insufferable weeks in which self harm is all I think about. I’m so glad that I built up my willpower by going months on end without an incident because if not I would be royally fucked on weeks like this. I feel like my mind is going a million miles a minute and all the while I’m running around like a mad woman trying to keep myself occupied so I can keep my thoughts at bay…It’s no wonder why I’m exhausted.

I know that I should probably go to therapy to help me cope better with my urges but I have this stupid stubborn mindset that if I’m not indulging then I’m okay. My old psychiatrist used to get on me like no other to see a therapist and I always told her that I would, but then I would end up convincing myself that I was fine. I hate admitting that I need help more than anything. I feel like when I start showing signs of instability at home is when I start getting babied and monitored and I despise that. Now when I’m having a hard time I just try to do my best at covering it up. Because I’m such a hard-headed little brat I probably won’t be going to therapy anytime soon but I’m so thankful that I have my blog to express how I’m feeling. I always feel a lot better after a good writing session so thanks for letting me vent!

sanity

Well I must be getting back to the ol’ Tri-C grind so I will talk to you all later! Until then, is anyone experiencing something similar to what I’m going through right now? If so, what are some of the coping skills that you utilize? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah