5 Tips for Coping with Chronic Pain
This is a collaborative post.
One thing I struggle with is coping with chronic pain. You would think feeling it day in and out it would be something I have “got used to” to some degree it is – my pain threshold is definitely a lot higher than normal. Plus let’s be honest I can’t spend every day writhing around in pain.
The truth is though, I am always in pain, I just have to try and get on with things even if that is just getting up out of bed and laying about on the sofa.
Anyone who struggles with pain, mobility or any other debilitating condition will utilise tools to help them. For instance, recently I’ve upgraded my wheelchair to help us explore more. While some people may need to rely on things like a total oxygen concentrator
However, today I thought I would put together 5 simple tips for coping with chronic pain which doesn’t involve pain medication but can be used in addition to this.
These are by no way going to make it go away, but they might give your mind a little rest and give you some new pain management strategies if you’re suffering from a painful condition.
Meditation / Deep Breathing
These days there are a whole host of different techniques to try when it comes to meditation or deep breathing.
I have to admit in years gone by I found neither of much use. However, I’ve been trying some other deep breathing strategies of late and they have at the very least been giving me a moment to breathe. Which is often a huge thing.
It might not reduce the pain but it can help you to cope with it.
So perhaps if the first ones you try, don’t work for you, have a look into some others.
Join a Support Group
This could be online or locally. As sometimes just knowing there is someone to reach out to who knows how you are feeling can make a huge difference, especially if you suffer from depression and/or anxiety as a result of long term pain.
I have a couple of friends who I know I can just message saying jeez today is BAD and they will know what I mean and just reply with cute animal pictures or a few words of wisdom.
Phone Apps
If you are looking for something to do on the go, then there are a whole host of downloadable apps from Pathways to apps like STOPP and Headspace.
All of these apps have different uses from Pathways which has been specifically designed for people with chronic pain conditions. To headspace which is more about meditation and bringing more calm into your life as and when you need it.
Tracking Your Pain
This is actually something you can do within the Pathways App and is useful for both you and your doctor. Especially if you record it alongside activity.
It can help give both you and your medical professionals an insight into what sets off your pain, what type of pain you’re experiencing, and allow you to devise ways to make things easier on yourself.
Have a Massage
Massages are good for relieving tension and stress and as such, can have a difference in your pain levels.
As with other things on this list, it may take a while to work out which type is right for you, after all, you don’t want to make your pain worse. But once you find something that works for you, it could really improve your quality of life through muscle relaxation.
You could even think about a Headspace with heat, to help you cope with chronic pain.
So there are just a few ideas for helping you cope with your pain levels. However do you have any ideas on things that help you, I would love to hear them.
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I am yet another of your contributors who suffer from Fibromyalgia. I had never heard of the word until I was diagnosed and now I come across it everywhere. The pain is so intense at times you just want to lie down and cry. My mobility has also been badly affected which is very depressing. For sufferers still quite mobile and agile, I do recommend trying yoga. It’s really, really good for mind, body and soul. It’s also great for helping you with patterns of breathing. Please – do give it a go.
It is so hard, isn’t it? I’ve heard yoga can be good – I have HMS so it’s not recommended apparently as we are over bendy and it can injure us which is a shame as I was going to try a very simple routine to see if it helped.
I used to suffer from chronic lower back pain and it was debilitating. Miraculously, a fall fixed my back but I can imagine what you are going through daily.
I found that reflexology helped me cope with the pain.
Oh wow, I am so glad things got better for you – it is strange how these things happen sometimes.
I will have to look into reflexology thank you.
I have Fibromyalgia and CFS so know what it’s like too. I’ve kind of gotten used to a certain level of pain and adapted without realising.
Its the flare ups that get me the most. The chronic burning in my legs and feet too. The fatigue oh, you know. I don’t need to preach to the converted.
Its been 15 years since I was diagnosed. Mine was bought on by C-PTSD (Complex PTSD) which is what they called it now if its whole of life trauma that’s built and caused it
I’m so sorry you have to deal with them both as well – it is so hard trying to live with it at times, I find it definitely pulls me down.
This was a really interesting read. I suffer daily with chronic pain and it is very debilitating. I am under the care of a pain management team but often look for alternatives to medication to help elevate my pain. I have found it hard to meditate mainly because when I sit still, I cannot help but concentrate on the pain. I did find massages helped but the cost was too high to attend weekly. I did find joining support networks helped but there are so many out there and you need to find the best one that suits you. I am always grateful for articles like this because it reminds you that there are others in the same situation.
I am so sorry you are struggling so much at the moment. That is the trouble with alternative practices, isn’t it? I found acupuncture helped as well but you only get so many weeks on the NHS then that is it.
I think tracking your pain is a great idea. I will have to check that app out and share it with the hubs too.
Definitely, I think it can help show things that make it worse / set it off at times.
These are great tips for dealing with chronic pain. I have chronic sciatic pain and some of the biggest helps have been massages and meditation. I am glad you included those.
It is amazing how a massage can help – I find sometimes things are sorer at first but then it can really help the movement.
I cannot immagine what are you passing through. Thanks for sharing it with us and these solutions that can help.
Thank you – I hope they do help some people who are going through the same I have to say.
I suffer with depression and often have bouts of aches and pains. Massages always help me but the pathwath app sounds really good if you have got pain regularly
It is nice when you find something like a massage that helps uplift you.
This is very helpful especially for someone like me who is not too young anymore.
I hope some of the ideas help you out a little, getting older is no fun!
A lot of useful advice here. I do not suffer with chronic pain but unfortunately my daughter does, so I will pass on some of these tips to her
I am so sorry your daughter suffers from chronic pain.
I agree that the breathing and meditation method is limited in its use for pain management but the very act of breathing mindfully benefits overall wellbeing so is still worth a try. I’ve not tried apps. Thanks for the tips.
It is amazing how calming yourself sometimes can help you feel a bit better.
Thanks for this. Mine was different but these tips will definitely help me too.
I am glad they will come in helpful I’d be interested to know your tips as well.
Chronic pain is such a difficult thing to deal with. It is good to have coping methods.
Definitely, we all need some ways to try and keep ourselves going.
I will keep this in mind. I hate when I have back aches. I have done the deep breathing before!
I am so sorry you struggle with backpain, I hope some of these ideas help.
I have chronic pain and find some of these useful, really love my recliner to take the weight off my legs!
Ohh I bet that is nice and comfortable to sit in!
I can’t imagine it being easy living with constant pain day and night. It’s good you have found ways that can help a bit though.
It is hard – sometimes I wish I knew what life was like without it I’ll admit.
I have a low pain threshold, so tend to stick to what’s comfortable i.e staying home!
Home is most definitely the most comfortable place to be.
I have chronic pain and I always find a nice long soak in the bath followed by a massage really does help.
I miss being able to have a soak in the bath, it could really help ease your pain at times couldn’t it.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to live with chronic pain and I feel very lucky that I’ve not experienced it. Support groups sound like they’d be helpful for discussion coping mechanisms as people might have suggestions you’ve never thought of x
They can definitely be really helpful it is amazing the ideas some people come up with at times.
Great article thanks! I doi a few of those things to help my chronic pain, – mindfulness , meditation, local support group, used to have massages but now find them too painful, and almost passed out after last one, so really miss having those. During lockdown I found CBD oil to be useful for helping calm me down and pain management. Things to make life easier like mobility scooter has helped me so much too.
A lot of people seem to find CBD works really well for them, definitely something for people to think about I feel.
Chronic illness is sadly so under supported by the nhs
It really is and a lot of people find they just get told anything new is the same thing.
I find that being in a support group for my chronic pain has helped out so much. These are all great ways to cope with chronic pain.
They can really be so helpful can’t they – I always find people come up with unique ideas on how to help.