Pain is very common. It is an unavoidable part of life, but managing it effectively can make all the difference in our quality of life. The occurrence and episodes of pain are seen more as people get older. In this blog, we’ll explore pain management, from simple techniques to advanced strategies. Whether you’re dealing with occasional discomfort or chronic pain, there’s something here for everyone looking for options for managing pain.
So, let’s dive in and discover how to find relief with pain management meditation and regain control over well-being.
Types of Pain
Two primary categories of pain are:
- Acute pain: It is a typical reaction to a disease or injury. It usually starts suddenly and lasts a short time, usually resolves till the cause is taken care of.
- Chronic pain: It lasts longer than one would expect before getting better. Usually, it lasts for more than three months.
Pain can range from mild to severe and feel like anything from a slight ache to a sharp stab. You may feel pain in one part of your body, or it may be widespread.
Causes of Pain
The most common causes of pain in adults include:
- Injury
- Medical conditions (such as cancer, arthritis, back or neck problems)
- Surgery
Pain Management Techniques
Pain management starts with understanding the cause and learning effective ways to cope with your pain. This can improve your quality of life. Key pain management techniques include:
- Pain medicines
- Physical therapies (such as heat or cold packs, massage, hydrotherapy and exercise)
- Psychological therapies (such as cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation techniques)
- Mind and body techniques (such as acupuncture and meditation)
Types of Pain Management
For pain management, there are two types of techniques available. You can either opt for medicines, surgeries or physical techniques to treat pain or go for a non-medicinal path of treatment such as massage or meditation. Go through the details below to better understand the types of pain management options available, and consult a doctor to select the best path for you:
- Managing Pain without Medicines
There are several non-medicinal pain management techniques available to assist you in controlling your pain. Among the non-medical, the options are:
- Use ice packs—hot or cold: Use them to get relief from swelling and joint or muscle pain.
- Physical therapy: Walking, stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises.
- Massage: It is better suited for soft tissue injuries and should be avoided if joint pain is present.
- Stress-reduction and relaxation methods: Yoga and meditation.
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT): This is a useful method for developing self-management skills for chronic pain.
- Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese method where thin needles are inserted into specific skin spots during acupuncture treatments.
- Meditation: Meditation and mindfulness in the long term can change the structure of your brain. Thus, resulting change in cortical thickness in some brain areas, making you less pain-sensitive. Reading books, listening to podcasts and watching online videos can help you feel relaxed.
Get advice on the best therapies and non-medical treatment options from your doctor.
- Pain Management with Medicines
The main types of pain medicines are:
- Paracetamol – short-term pain
- Aspirin – for short-term relief of fever and mild-to-moderate pain (such as period pain or headache).
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen – these medicines relieve pain and reduce inflammation (redness and swelling).
- Local anaesthetics (drops, sprays, creams or injections) – used when nerves can be easily reached.
- Some antidepressants and anti-epilepsy medicines – are used for a specific type of pain called nerve pain.
Note: Take these medicines only after the prescription from your doctor.
- Managing Your Pain Medicines Effectively
Always follow the directions to ensure that you take your medications safely and effectively. It is best to use chronic pain medications as prescribed by a doctor. If you are experiencing side effects from your medications or if they are not functioning, speak with your chemist or doctor.
It’s critical to employ a range of techniques to lessen pain. Don’t depend just on medications. Individuals can reduce their pain discomfort by:
- Staying active
- Avoiding pain triggers
- Using coping strategies
Conclusion
Sometimes, pain persists and cannot be easily relieved even after using pain management techniques. It is best to consult a doctor for a personalised and proper assessment to treat the pain effectively. Focus on improving your day-to-day function rather than completely stopping the pain. Improve your physical fitness, eat healthy foods, and make sure you get all the rest you need, as these are some of the best overall pain management strategies. Try not to allow the pain to stop you from living your life the way you want to. Gently try reintroducing activities that you used to enjoy. Pain management meditation can also help release pain-related stress.
