Managing and Living with Chronic Pain

Living with a chronic pain can be complicated. More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain at a cost of around $600 billion a year in medical treatments and lost productivity, according to a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

At Michigan Sports & Spine Center, we understand your pain. Dr. Jeff S. Pierce treats chronic pain and is committed to helping the patient get better, and get back to the life they deserve. This is done by providing an educational approach to pain management to encourage the patient to share in managing his or her situation. Managing chronic pain can be a delicate balance.

Here are few tips we have for working together and managing chronic pain.  

Coping Skills

Many people continue to live healthy, productive lives in spite of their pain. This is because they have found ways to cope with the pain, either through medications, alternative treatments or a combination of the two. Working closely with your physician can help you maximize your coping skills.

Exercise

Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about a safe exercise program that is right for you. When you live with chronic pain, exercise helps you maintain your mobility. It also keeps your muscles active and your joints flexible, which helps to alleviate some of the symptoms of chronic pain. Regular exercise also prevents muscles from becoming weak from inactivity. Weak muscles are more vulnerable to pain and can even cause other injuries. Exercise can also help to boost your emotional well-being and help you with coping skills.

Finding the Right Medication or Treatment

It can take some time to find the right medication that controls your pain. Because there are so many types of medications that control chronic pain, it can take many months to find the one that works best for you. There are also many other non-surgical treatment options that are available. If you are interested in learning more, call our office at 248-680-9000 for a consultation.

Learning to Relax

Allowing muscles to relax reduces strain and decreases pain sensations. Learning to relax your body can help you control your pain without the use of additional medications. Relaxation is a pain management tool that can be used on its own, or in combination with other treatments. It may sound too difficult, try to steal a little “you time” now and then. Sit in a quiet room and listen to some peaceful music, or find a nice spot outside to read.

If you would like to learn more about chronic pain treatments, check out www.michigansportsandspine.com.