People cope with their chronic pain diagnosis in a number of different ways. Some dive head first into proactive treatments, while others find ways to take their mind off of their discomfort. What’s important is to find a positive coping technique that helps you work to gain more control over your condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five common coping techniques for chronic pain sufferers.
Coping With And Overcoming Chronic Pain
Chronic pain coping techniques are important because dwelling on your pain and letting it control your life can lead to worse pain and make it harder to eventually overcome your condition. Find a healthy way to cope with your condition. Try a combination of some of the following techniques, and we expect that you’ll find it easier to string together more good days than bad.
Actively Treat It – Arguably the best treatment technique involves throwing yourself into a care plan that targets your underlying condition and works to make your body stronger. Being stronger, losing weight or stabilizing key areas of your body can help them better handle pressure and avoid overstress injuries and the onset of inflammation. Every day, try to do at least one activity that specifically targets your chronic pain or serves to make you healthier overall.
Distract – Another common coping technique is to try to distract your brain from pain. If you’re trying to relax in the evening but your chronic back pain is flaring up, try to distract your brain from the discomfort. Read a book or start a crossword puzzle – anything that helps take your mind away from your discomfort.
Share Your Feelings – Another helpful coping technique is to share your feelings or frustrations with others. Talking about your condition with a support group of individuals who can empathize with what you’re going through is extremely helpful. Find an online support group or a close friend who you can talk to about your condition, and you’ll find that it’s easier to reconcile with.
Relaxation Techniques – For many people, stress is one of the most common underlying causes of a chronic pain flareup, so learning how to mitigate stress and overcome it when it develops is key for coping with their chronic pain condition. Whether that’s in the form of yoga or deep breathing exercises, find a personal way to unwind from the stresses of the day.
Enlist A Professional – Finally, if you want a professional to help you find specific ways to overcome your chronic pain condition, sync up with a specialist like Dr. Cohn. He can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and develop a treatment plan suited to your needs and strengths. You don’t have to cope with your condition alone, so lean on a group of professionals who want to help you get better.
For more information about coping techniques, or to reach out to a doctor who wants to help you regain control over your chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.