Chronic pain comes in many different forms. For some people, pain is consistent and dull, while for others it is spontaneous and severe. When pain seems to come and go in waves, this is categorized as a “flareup” or “pain flare.” These pain flares are typically associated with inflammation of a joint or muscle, and it can lead to an intense burst of pain or discomfort. In today’s blog, we share some tips for dealing with and overcoming these chronic pain flareups.
Causes And Treatments Of Pain Flares
A chronic pain flareup can develop for a variety of reasons, with some being more intense than others. For example, we’re heard of patients who have flareups after intense physical exercise, while others can be triggered by much smaller actions like sneezing. Others will notice that their chronic pain flareup is the result of mental and emotional forces, like stress and anxiety. Figuring out your pain trigger is extremely important for being able to effectively manage your pain flareups. A pain management specialist can help to determine your triggers and the underlying cause of your chronic pain condition.
As we mentioned above, treating your chronic pain flareup revolves around identifying your underlying trigger, but there are also some common treatments for flares that may help provide some pain relief. Here’s a look at some of the most common treatments for pain flares.
Low-Impact Exercise – Low-impact exercise can be great for helping to control flareups. Exercise gets your heart pumping, which sends oxygenated blood throughout your body to areas that need it most, and exercise releases endorphins in your brain, which act as natural pain relievers.
Stay Healthy – A response from your immune system can also lead to a flareup, so many people find it helpful to work to avoid sicknesses. Most people try to do this regardless of whether or not they have a chronic pain condition, but it still stands as a reminder to wash your hands regularly and to get plenty of vitamins and minerals in your diet that can help with immunity.
Find Ways To Destress – Stress can be a trigger point, and a chronic pain condition can also be stressful, so it’s easier said than done to say “find ways to destress” in the midst of a flareup. That said, dive into some deep breathing exercises, find a quiet place in your house to lay down, practice yoga or take a walk around the block. Find little ways to manage stress when it bubbles up to help control a flareup before it worsens.
Use Ice Or Heat – Cold or hot therapy can also be very helpful in working to calm inflammation, increase blood flow and reducing the severity of a flareup before it starts or after it has begun. Try a warm compress or a cold shower and figure out what works best for your body.
Talk To Your Doctor – Finally, if you’re dealing with new or chronic pain flareups, bring them to the attention of your pain specialist. It could be related to your underlying pain issue, or it could have a completely independent trigger, but you’ll never know unless you connect with a specialist and get to the bottom of your issue. Once you know what’s causing your flareups, you’ll be able to come up with an individualized treatment plan.
For more information on how you can regain control over your chronic pain condition or pain flareups, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.