There are two types of pain; one goes away after some time, and the other one seems to stay for ages. The latter is called chronic pain, and it can have a devastating effect on your life if not treated properly. There are various treatment options available in therapy centres. You should know about them so that you can manage your chronic pain the best way.
Hot and cold therapy
You can apply hot and cold therapy. It is the most common and safe technique for reducing pain. Heat therapy can relax the muscles and dilate your blood vessels. If you had any injury, then it will help you to heal. You can use a hot water bag for it. Cold therapy reduces blood flow and inflammation. This reduces pain. You can use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth and apply it to the skin.
Massage
Massage can be especially useful in reducing chronic pain. It is a kind of soft-tissue manipulation. You will get the best results from it when you use it with painkillers or physical therapy. Massage will help you to relax so that you will feel better. It will lead to improved posture and circulation and reduced stiffness.
Physical therapy
When you suffer from chronic pain, many doctors will prefer physical therapy. This technique will stretch and strengthen the joints and muscles, reducing constant pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an unconventional technique of reducing chronic pain. A practitioner applies thin needles on the skin at specific points in the body. This has proven to be an effective treatment for managing chronic pain. You can get relief from short-term discomfort in the neck, knee, or lower back.
Cognitive behaviour therapy
Cognitive behaviour therapy is a psychological treatment that can reduce chronic pain’s negative effect on the person’s mental health. It can help to reduce long-term pain and thus improve the quality of life.
Yoga
Doing yoga regularly can strengthen your muscles and joints. It can make the body flexible through stretching. The specific yoga poses can help you relax. Though it may not decrease the chronic pain that much, it will help to cope with the pain when doing your everyday work. It is a very safe pain management technique, and you can quickly try it at home.
Tai chi
This therapy involves slow and continuous body movements that are combined with relaxation and breathing techniques. You won’t feel much stress on the joints and muscles. It can improve joint stability and strength as well.
Relaxation techniques
People feel discomfort when they have chronic pain. Various relaxation techniques can help in this regard which includes deep breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation. You should do calming activities like reading a book or taking a warm bath to feel better.
Medication
Medications can help in relieving chronic pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation and pain. For moderate to severe pain, opioids can be administered. As chronic pain can hurt the mind, antidepressants can make you feel better. Recently, Cannabis has proven to be effective in treating pain.
These treatment options are available for people who are suffering from illnesses causing discomfort like cancer, Lupus and Polyarteritis Nodosa. While the benefits are currently under research, many sufferers have found relieve through the application of Cannabis ointments and oils.
