Part 2: What are the BENEFITS of Non Drug Pain Managment Ideas?

To a large extent, non drug pain management interventions are really about adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Some examples-

Smoking Cessation
Using smoking as a way to cope with chronic pain can actually make the pain worse!

Weight Loss
A healthy body weight reduces stress on the joints and spine. The goal is to achieve a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).

Exercise
Exercising within the limits of one's condition promotes weight loss, cardiovascular health, preserves joint function, and raises endorphin levels,promoting an overall sense well being. It's all good.

Alcohol Moderation
While alcohol may help a person to forget their troubles for a time, it actually has no analgesic properties. Chronic use of alcohol can damage the liver, which is can effect the metabolism of medications and body toxins.

Practicing Behaviors that Promote a Good Night's Sleep
A good night's sleep go a long way in improving everyone's day to day function. Sleep is restorative and is vital to overall good health. A big problem for many chronic pain patients centers around sleep difficulties. Fibromyalgia is a good example of this issue.

Improve Dietary Habits
In general good nutrition is a key element to good health. Some studies attribute vitamin D deficiency to worsening of chronic pain. Vitamin C may also play a role. Some pain conditions benefit from specific guidelines, such as the anti-inflammatory diet for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. There is some thinking that fibromyalgia can be somewhat controlled by following some dietary guidelines.

So, by taking better care of your body, you become an active participant in your own pain management program. So, here's to your health!

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